Some Red State/Blue State Indicia

And didn’t they rob pensions ?!?

lol
New York’s main system (the New York State and Local Retirement System, NYSLRS) is widely considered one of the better-funded large public pension systems in the country.


  • Recent official estimate: about ~92% funded (assets vs. promised benefits)
  • That is:
    • Above many large states (e.g., Illinois, New Jersey historically much lower)
    • Slightly below full funding (100%), but not remotely “underwater”

NYC’s separate five pension systems (teachers, police, firefighters, etc.) are in a similar ballpark overall—generally high 80s to low 90s percent funded depending on system and year (they vary slightly by fund and market returns).

A big reason is investment performance:


  • Strong recent market returns (often ~8–10% in good years) boosted assets
  • Example: NYC pensions recently had returns around ~10% in a strong year, which reduces required city contributions

When markets do well:


  • The funds look healthier
  • City/state budget pressure temporarily eases
 
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