Wisconsin is well on its way to a healthier pension system under Walker, but just because it was nearly fully funded doesn’t mean it was a healthy plan (http://bit.ly/LzPpb3). States should always be looking for ways to stabilize pension funding in ways that doesn’t require large government bailouts.

But hasn't Social Security had some benefit freezes lately? Those increases are tied to inflation/cost of living adjustments. Sure, the level of benefit doesn't ever go down, but
not always up up up.

I have no clue about medicare, only that after you're gone they come after your estate looking for reimbursement.

dtb, that was my point. Fixed benefit systems are subjected to changes forced by investment gains or losses over or under projections. The difference between that and the federal programs...the federal programs just keep on spending; digging a larger hole while future promises will never be kept.

"“What I’ve said is I’m not proposing any changes at this time,” he told reporters Monday after a speech at the Commercial Club of Chicago. “That doesn’t mean I won’t be open to them.”"

That's Walkerspeak for he going to try to change it.

http://www.postcrescent.com/viewart/2012...

RAF, you do realize that WRS pension payments have gone DOWN 4 years running due to investment losses, right?

"The base monthly payout is only "fixed" at the time of retirement"
-
The same as it is with social security and medicare, but yeah they are different.

The ETF is not a fixed benefit system. The base monthly payout is only "fixed" at the time of retirement, based on current factors including recent investment returns and the number of retirees that year. Whatever you think about Medicare or Social Security, they don't operate the same way.

Any promises made by a fixed benifit system will be subjected to changes forced by investment gains or losses over or under projections. A perfect example of a failed fixed benifit funded system is medicare and social security.

That quote by Pelosi would be hilarious if she hadn't been serious. And no, I don't like the ACA or how it was written or passed.

JW - the answer is yes. Hoepfully this link will work:

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/g...

dtb: Does that mean that you do not pass the bill so that you can see what is in it? If so, please inform Nancy Pelosi

That's why you don't don't ram through legislation as fast as possible - you take the time to think it through so you can forsee consequences like this.

Is it true that as a result of the hastily enacted Act 10 (Republican agenda) that taxpayers will now be responsible to pay more tax into the Retirement Fund because of oversights? I heard that it amounts to only a 1-1.5 % increase but any increase at this time is short-sighted and irresponsible. Maybe the teachers failed to get these guys to do their homework when they were young. Legislators should know how to read and study the consequences of law and interpret it before they create new legislation. What's next?

Let's see - a blog or a well-respected independent research group. People will believe what they want to believe, regardless of the source of the information. Sad what you get from a closed mind.

http://pewresearch.org/

Biased or not?

http://etf.wi.gov/
You think they lie?

who do you believe? One side says they are totally funded, one says they are only funded 60%? Let's hire some consultants and get to the bottom of this.

.....and these groups have an real truth deficit and a very focused agenda to destroy the government of the United States of America using internal and financial sabotage (may as well be honest about it).

Frank - Thank you for your information. Now a little information on who you are after your very first post. Following the Wisconsin link from your web-site I see that you are Koch Brothers shill:

From: http://www.statebudgetsolutions.org/stat...

Get educated. Get connected. Take action.

Education
State Budget Solutions - basic information about the legislative session and the state budget
MacIver Institute - research, analysis, and commentary on policies and legislation
Wisconsin Policy Research Institute - research, analysis, and commentary on policies and legislation
Sunshine Review - information on local, state, and school board transparency Connection
Tea Party Patriots - activist training, resources, and networking
FreedomWorks - activist resources and networking
Americans for Prosperity - activist resources and networking

self promotion = hack status

Sorry, but your pensions are only 60 percent funded. That probably still is the best in the nation, but it leaves taxpayers with a hidden $55 billion tab to pay. That debt plus ongoing pension obligations will, without drastic reform, add more than $1,500 every year for 30 years to the average household's tax bill. For that extra $45,000 taken from their pockets they will receive no government benefits or services of any kind.
http://www.statebudgetsolutions.org/blog...

Cut pensions for elected officials they shouldn't have state funded pensions anyway.

walker has some debt to repay and i'm sure some of his donors would love to take over the management of this fund. Will he destroy something that works so well for his own gain? Alot of people dont trust that he will do what is right and leave this fund alone.

We gotta fix this problem and we have just the governor that can do it.

And this is the same system Walker wants to get his hands on and "fix" it. If it aint broke, don't fix it. Keep your hands off of it.