The State of Retirement: Grading America's Public Pension Plans

Our pension report card and interactive map grade state-administered retirement plans on their financing; how much retirement security they provide to short- and long-term employees; and the workforce incentives they create for younger, older, and mid-career employees. Results are based on the Urban Institute’s State and Local Employee Pension Plan (SLEPP) database, which includes detailed state-by-state information on plan rules for public school teachers, police officers and firefighters, and general state and local government employees.

The database and report card were compiled by Richard Johnson, Barbara Butrica, Owen Haaga, Ben Southgate, and Eugene Steuerle. Tim Meko, Ben Southgate, and Graham MacDonald designed the interactive map. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provided financial support.

How the Plans Stack Up Nationally

Overall
Grade
Rewarding
Younger Workers
Promoting a
Dynamic Workforce
Encouraging Work
at Older Ages
Retirement Income
for Short-Term Employees
Retirement Income
for Long-Term Employees
Making Required
Contributions
Funding
Ratio

Filter Plans by Occupation

All General State Employees General Local Employees Teachers Police and Fire

Filter Plans by Hire Date

All Only New Hires Excludes New Hires

Grade Distributions

State-Level Grade Distribution Plan-Level Grade Distribution

Grade Tables

State Breakdown Table Nationwide Best Nationwide Worst
Overall Grade Rewarding Younger
Workers
Promoting a Dynamic
Workforce
Encouraging Work
at Older Ages
 
Providing Retirement Income
to Short-Term Employees
Providing Retirement Income
to Long-Term Employees
Making Required
Contributions
Funding Ratio