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Past Event

Public Pension Reform: Questions of Politics and Policy

Past Event

State and local pension systems are at a crossroads, with pension reform efforts being spurred by ballooning cost projections and an estimated $2.7 trillion nationwide funding gap. Failing pension systems broadly impact the American citizenry – from taxpayers who want to keep costs down yet still receive high-quality public services, to public-sector teachers, police officers and firefighters who want to preserve their retirement security. Political factors have long impeded legislative pension reform, but in recent years a number of states have succeeded in enacting significant reforms to their systems.

 

On February 26, the Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings released two papers (available here) that examine pension reform efforts across the nation and provide actionable policy solutions aimed at those states still struggling with underfunded pension systems. A presentation of the papers’ findings by authors Patrick McGuinn and Patten Priestley Mahler was followed by a keynote presentation by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, and a panel discussion with leaders who have helped to develop noteworthy reforms to public pension systems at the state and local level.

Read highlights of the conversation on Brookings Now blog.

Join the conversation on Twitter at #pensionreform.

Agenda

Introduction

Matthew M. Chingos

Former Brookings Expert

Senior Fellow, Director of Education Policy Program - Urban Institute

Panel Discussion

M

Mark Dingley

Deputy Treasurer - Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer

P

Patrick McGuinn

Associate professor of political science and education at Drew University

Presentation of Findings

P

Patrick McGuinn

Associate professor of political science and education at Drew University

Keynote Address

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