Topic: Pensions

The Adam Smith Institute Blog Harry Potter and the Social Security stone

Researchers claim to have found a way to extend lifespans by 12 percent. What does this mean for America's Social Security and Britain's social pensions?
10/12/2010 11:05 am

Opinion A day of reckoning for public pensions: The bills are due, the coffers are empty

Public pensions are driving state and local governments into debt at an unsustainable rate. America must face this fiscal time bomb or these dream benefits will become a nightmare.
10/01/2010 06:10 pm

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day 09/23

Why French unions don't want to wait until 62 to retire

French unions rallied again in protest of President Sarkozy's proposal to increase the minimum retirement age to 62.
09/23/2010 05:55 pm

The Daily Reckoning Does West face a Marx moment?

What kind of class struggle ensues if a rich democracy can no longer buy off the poor?
09/11/2010 08:20 pm

Massachusetts governor race: Debate highlights

In the Massachusetts governor race, the four candidates sparred in their first televised debate Tuesday night. Democratic incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick noted economic growth while challengers pointed to eight tax hikes.
09/08/2010 10:17 am

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day 09/07

Editorial Board Blog Monitor breakfast with AFL-CIO President Trumka -- public pension cuts

When you hear about public employees who retire before 60 on full salaries, it's hard to work up sympathy for unions defending those pensions before state budget cutters. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka disagrees. What about CEO salaries, he asks?
09/02/2010 05:21 pm

The Vote Social Security: Alan Simpson offends almost everyone with 'cow' quip

Social Security is a touchy subject. Alan Simpson, co-chair of Obama's deficit commission, has a colorful mouth and lots of things to say about Social Security. Put the two together and 'poof!' another political brush fire for Obama.
08/25/2010 08:55 pm

Robert Reich The middle class has been squeezed. And they're angry.

Instead of enlarging the circle of prosperity that's grown over the last three decades to include the middle class, only the top earners have benefited.
08/12/2010 10:46 am

Gallery CEO exits

Postal Service woes: First-class stamps may climb to 46 cents

Beset by a massive budget deficit, reduced volume of mail, and rising health-care costs, the US Postal Service has proposed raising postage rates again in 2011.
07/07/2010 01:58 pm

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day 06/29

Obama approval rating hits all-time low as Gulf Oil spill disaster continues

Obama approval rating falls as 48 percent of survey responders say they disapprove of the President's job performance.
06/25/2010 10:18 am

Donald Marron Gaming the budget window: How much would funding Medicare payments really cost?

To appear fiscally prudent, lawmakers want to pay for that spending by raising new revenues or reducing other spending essentially by making it easier for corporations to underfund employee pensions.
06/24/2010 11:29 am

Gulf oil spill worsened by robot collision

Gulf oil spill: A undersea collision involving one of the robots used in the BP gulf oil spill containment effort allowed more oil to gush unchecked into Gulf waters.
06/23/2010 03:28 pm

Even if New York averts government shutdown, its budget woes escalate

New York State lawmakers are likely to approve another short-term fix to prevent a threatened government shutdown. Delay in closing an $8.5 billion budget gap is only making things worse, some analysts say.
06/14/2010 08:09 pm

Bernanke sees 'subdued' inflation but persistent unemployment

The Fed's Ben Bernanke said Wednesday the US economy will grow this year but not fast enough to make big inroads in the unemployment rate. He signaled that interest rates are likely to remain low.
06/09/2010 07:52 pm

States cap workers benefits to reduce shortfalls: Is your pension fund at risk?

States' pension fund holdings are short $1 trillion. Illinois's answer: Cut benefits for state workers. But even that might not be enough.
06/07/2010 10:27 am

David R. Francis Want a balanced federal budget? Cut state workers' pay.

On average, state workers make $39.66 an hour, have traditional pensions untouched by stock market moves, and are laid off at one-third the rate of private-sector workers. Considering concerns about the federal budget, are government jobs too cushy?
04/26/2010 06:03 pm

The Adam Smith Institute Blog The British pound sterling play

04/06/2010 06:30 pm

David R. Francis Obama commission won’t cut deficits. Congress will.

President Obama has created a National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to help balance the federal budget by 2015. But few are optimistic about its ability to make substantial cuts.
03/15/2010 10:41 am

The Daily Reckoning 43 percent of US workers, retirees have under $10K saved for retirement

American workers are ill-prepared for retirement.
03/11/2010 02:51 pm

The Adam Smith Institute Blog To reform British pensions, look to America's Social Security (with a twist)

Britain's pension system looks like a Madoff pyramid scheme. The Cato Institute's plan for Social Security offers one way forward.
02/22/2010 11:49 pm

States face serious pension woes: $1 trillion short

States' pension woes only have grown worse in the past year, a new study by the Pew Center for the States finds. This problem can't be laid at the door of the recession.
02/18/2010 04:35 pm