The Defined Benefit

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  • 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…

  • National Retirement Security Month: Why Public Pensions Matter More Than Ever

    At NPPC, we consistently highlight the value of defined-benefit pensions for public employees and everyone lucky enough to have one. But what about the millions who don’t have access to a secure retirement plan? Every October, during National Retirement Security…

  • Want to Solve the Worker Shortage Crisis? Try Pensions.

    Nowadays, we often hear about businesses needing more workers or struggling to build stable talent pools. The worker shortage epidemic has become the new normal, as the issue is constantly echoed in the media and permeates many everyday conversations. The…

  • Don’t call it a comeback: We’ve been here for years.

    LL Cool J’s iconic 1991 hit, Mama Said Knock You Out, famously begins with the line: “Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years.” Cool J later explained the lyrics related to his career, which many critics claimed…

  • Back to School, Back to Advocating for Teachers’ Pensions!

    As the school year kicks off classrooms nationwide will be filled with eager students and dedicated teachers ready to inspire the next generation. While students may be returning to a familiar routine, we know that our educators never truly left…

  • Someone to Answer the Call: Pensions are Crucial to Bolstering Public Safety

    Every day, we rely on some of our most visible public employees–firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical responders–to ensure our safety. We often take for granted that a trained professional will answer our call for help or that a team…

  • Did You Know NFL Players Earn a Pension?

    Summer is ending, and for some, this is tragic news. Soon, it will be time to bust out the leaf blowers and the snow shovels. However, as football season approaches, this is a time of pure joy for football fans. …