The Council of State Governments

National Policy Forum

Buy Now, Pay Later:
Transforming Public Retirement Systems

Dec. 2-3, 2008

Omaha, Neb.

Despite increased attention and scrutiny, many states continue to struggle with existing and increasing commitments in their underfunded state pension plans—$361 billion and growing. With payments clearly surpassing receipts—mainly due to health care expenditures—and with state elderly populations outpacing other demographic groups for growth (nearly four to one), states are shouldering an untenable responsibility.

According to the Pew Center on the States, the next 30 years will likely see states struggling with pension plan and health care payouts approaching $2.75 trillion—an unprecedented figure causing state leaders to ask tough questions regarding the viability of such pension and health care plans, reasonable alternative offerings and how to sell the continuation of such efforts to taxpayers.

Join the discussion as state officials, researchers and experts from the financial sector seek to not only create a better understanding of the multidimensional problems, but also begin to illustrate real-world and sellable solutions for helping your state weather this storm. Learn how your state measures up and how the current economic crisis will impact public retirement stability.

The forum features Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene, co-authors of “Promises with a Price,” a first-of-its kind 50-state analysis of public retirement systems in the U.S. released by the Pew Center on the States; and noted analyst Girard Miller, senior strategist for Public Financial Management (PFM Group) and author of “Benefits Beat” for Governing magazine.

For more information contact Amy Vandervort-Clark at avandervort-clark@csg.org or (859) 244.8013.

Speaker Highlights

Final Agenda

Meeting Materials