The Defined Benefit

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  • How Public Sector Jobs Have Empowered Black Workers and Why They Must Be Protected

    Throughout American history, the public sector has been instrumental in providing African Americans with pathways to economic stability and upward mobility. From the early 19th century to the present day, state, local, and federal government employment has offered equitable opportunities,…

  • NIRS’ Pensionomics 2025 Report

    Earlier this month, the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) released its bi-annual Pensionomics report, which details how spending from defined-benefit pensions boosts economies in communities nationwide and continues to be a reliable economic driver for millions of people. The…

  • Threats and Opportunities: 2025 State Legislative Preview

    At NPPC, we believe every American deserves to retire with dignity. Our priority is protecting pensions for public workers in states across the country. Here is a look ahead at some of the state legislative sessions we are monitoring this…

  • Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy: Advancing Equality in the Public Sector

    In the struggle for equality during the American civil rights movement, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. played a pivotal role in advocating for job opportunities for African Americans in the public sector. King believed that access to these…

  • Standing with Los Angeles: Supporting Our Heroes

    Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. As flames threaten lives and property, brave firefighters are on the front lines, risking their safety to protect others. Firefighters exemplify the dedication…

  • Historic Victory for Public Workers: Repealing WEP and GPO

    On January 5, 2025, President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, marking a monumental win for public employees nationwide. This long-awaited legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—policies that unfairly reduced Social Security…

  • Celebrating Unsung Heroes: A Month of Gratitude for Public Employees

    In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often overlook the tireless efforts of the unsung heroes who work diligently behind the scenes to keep our communities thriving. They are the public employees who dedicate themselves to serving…

  • Understanding WEP and GPO: Why We Must Act Now

    When public employees dedicate their lives to serving their communities—as teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other essential workers—they deserve a secure retirement. Yet, two federal provisions—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—undermine that promise for millions…

  • Surplus or Deficit? How a state’s budget can affect your pension.

    The United States Government Accountability Office ( GAO) considers a public pension fiscally healthy if it maintains an 80% or higher funding ratio. Today, the largest public pensions in the country average funding levels well above this benchmark, a positive…

  • Is Retirement Security Attainable for Americans? (Repost)

    Americans are woefully unprepared for retirement.  It’s not a fact that’s comfortable to face, but the truth is evident. As we continue to observe National Retirement Security Month, today we’ll explore the stark reality of retirement insecurity for countless hard-working…

  • The Financial Health of Public Pensions: Facts vs. Fiction

    On any given day in America, news outlets run headlines sensationalizing the funding status, investment returns, and management of state and municipal pension systems. Whether it’s a Milliman analysis, a Pew report, or a local newspaper, reporting can be confusing…

  • The Dangers of Project 2025: A Threat to Public Service and Retirement Security

    A shadow looms over the integrity of our government and the welfare of its public servants: Project 2025. This right-wing initiative proposes to embed approximately 50,000 far-right political loyalists into nonpartisan civil service jobs, displacing dedicated public servants and converting…