California's Pension Crisis

The Cost Of California’s Public Pensions Is Breaking The Bank. Here’s One Reason This Problem Is So Hard To Fix

April 11, 2017

The fate of reform measures hangs on ballot language written by the state attorney general, usually a Democrat elected with strong union support.

A Tale Of Two Sectors

February 9, 2017 | Ali Budner

The general assumption for retirement security is a job in the public sector. The trade-off means lower pay, however. Meanwhile, the private sector has strayed from pension promises, but is a 401(k) worth it?

Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

California Pension Crisis: Richmond

February 8, 2017

How are cities across California responding to the ballooning cost of pensions in the state? CALmatters Reporter Judy Lin explores a case study in Richmond where priority police and library services are already being cut.

Richmond Makes Cuts To Services As Pension Costs For Public-Sector Workers Mount

February 6, 2017 | Ashley Gross

Many cities across California face rising costs for public employee retirement benefits. And for some, that’s laying bare a stark reality — it’s getting tougher to provide basic services and meet the pension obligations promised years ago.

El Monte's Mayor Wants To End Bonus Pensions Costing Millions But His Hands Are Tied

January 26, 2017

The mayor of El Monte, a cash-strapped San Gabriel Valley city with many retired employees drawing two pensions, says there’s "no rational justification" for the double pensions.

When City Retirement Pays Better Than The Job

January 5, 2017

One in four El Monte residents lives in poverty. Yet taxpayers pay a steep price to fund bonus pensions and other perks for city workers.

State Government

A Case Study On Pension Reform: San Jose's Grand Compromise

December 29, 2016 | Ali Budner

Cities and states across the country are facing public employee pension debt that is challenging and, in some cases, crippling their budgets. But some municipalities are experimenting with ways to solve that problem.

How State And Local Government Budgets Will Be Affected By CalPERS' Trimmed Investment Expectations

December 28, 2016

Pension costs for state and local government will begin to rise in 2017 after CalPERS officials voted to throttle back the expectations on profits earned from its $299 billion portfolio.

Are Public Pension Benefits Excessive? State Workers Say 'No'

November 28, 2016

California faces a $240 billion unfunded pension liability. But retired state workers who receive pensions say they are tired of drawing public blame.

Paying For Public Retirees Has Never Cost L.A. Taxpayers More. And That's After Pension Reform

November 28, 2016

Retirement benefits now eat up 20% of city’s general fund revenue. Touted cost controls won't have real impact for decades.

California Pension Crisis: Richmond

February 8, 2017

How are cities across California responding to the ballooning cost of pensions in the state? CALmatters Reporter Judy Lin explores a case study in Richmond where priority police and library services are already being cut.

Reporter Tells Stories Of California Retirees Struggling With Pension

November 29, 2016

In our ongoing series on California’s Pension Crisis, we hear the stories of some retirees who argue the benefits aren’t excessive. Reporter Sam Harnett guides us through the tales of three California retirees.

CALmatters Explains How Governor Brown's Pension Reform Plan Failed To Move Forward

November 3, 2016

Gov. Jerry Brown was confident his-12 point plan could reform California’s pension crisis. Five years later, the state’s unfunded liabilities continue to pile up with little change. CALmatter’s Judy Lin explains why the plan failed to progress.

California’s Pension Crisis: What Can We Learn From Illinois?

October 13, 2016

As California continues to navigate the shaky waters of funding billions in state pensions, Illinois could serve as an example of what to avoid. WBEZ’s Dan Weissmann and Cheryl Eason from CalPERS have different opinions on the comparison.

Exploring The Pension Crisis In California

September 19, 2016

When California lawmakers cut a deal to increase public employee pensions, the state had a very different economic climate. We’ll talk with LA Times reporter Jack Dolan about the pension gap and what he’s learned about it.