Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(116,554 posts)
Sun Oct 2, 2016, 04:47 AM Oct 2016

Public Employees Retirement System floats new idea for rising pension costs

TIGARD — State and local districts across Oregon learned this week just how much the state’s public pension system will cost their budgets for the next budget cycle starting next July, under rates approved by the Public Employees Retirement System board Friday.

Bend’s three local districts — the city, parks and recreation and Bend-La Pine Schools — along with most other local governments in Oregon face dramatically higher costs to pay for the state’s underfunded pension system.

For the city of Bend, the higher rates will equate to around $1.9 million more per year, or about 4 percent of the entire current budget.

But a discussion emerged during a joint meeting between the PERS Board and the Oregon Investment Council, the two entities overseeing investments for the system, about a new way to help fund the system. They floated the idea of asking the state to issue more than $20 billion in low-interest bonds to help balance out the system.

Read more: http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/4703600-151/citing-lack-of-action-pers-floats-new-idea?referrer=carousel2

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Public Employees Retirement System floats new idea for rising pension costs (Original Post) TexasTowelie Oct 2016 OP
Hey, I will pay off my debts with a credit card 6chars Oct 2016 #1
They could just as easily take some cash to one of the in-state casinos TexasTowelie Oct 2016 #2
All this to avoid raising taxes to meet obligations 6chars Oct 2016 #3
As someone counting on PERS, LWolf Oct 2016 #4

6chars

(3,967 posts)
1. Hey, I will pay off my debts with a credit card
Sun Oct 2, 2016, 06:33 AM
Oct 2016

I guess they could issue bonds and put the proceeds in the stock market. Then if there is another bull market, they will be in great shape. Yep, the perfect plan.

TexasTowelie

(116,554 posts)
2. They could just as easily take some cash to one of the in-state casinos
Sun Oct 2, 2016, 07:14 AM
Oct 2016

and avoid the broker commissions and fees. Or maybe they could buy some lottery tickets?

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
4. As someone counting on PERS,
Sun Oct 2, 2016, 01:17 PM
Oct 2016

I want them to meet their obligations. Why is this such a hard concept?

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Oregon»Public Employees Retireme...