Latest Fact-checks in Pensions Gina Raimondo stated on October 21, 2013 in a fundraising letter.: "Providence has more of its pension fund invested in hedge funds and is less transparent" about it than the state. Republican Party of Florida stated on October 30, 2013 in a YouTube attack ad: As CFO, Alex Sink oversaw "a $27 billion loss in the state's pension fund." Michael Turner stated on April 22, 2012 in a news release: Some "20,000 Delphi salaried retirees lost up to 70 percent of their pensions" as a result of "political favoritism and backroom deals." Doug Miller stated on May 21, 2013 in a Texas House floor debate.: Says less than half of 1 percent of all the Texas legislators who ever served draw "a benefit" from pensions tied to the salaries of state district judges. 13th District GOP slate stated on May 31, 2013 in A primary election campaign mailer: "New Jersey’s once-broken pension system is now solvent." Frank Caprio stated on May 19, 2013 in an appearance on "10 News Conference": Since Gina Raimondo took office, investment fees on the state's pension portfolio "have gone up from about $12 million annually to about $50 million." Portland Public Schools stated on January 22, 2013 in a letter to Portlanders: Says "PPS employees have paid their own PERS contributions for many years." Bruce Hanna stated on March 6, 2013 in a floor speech: Says, "The Democrats' proposed budget is also balanced by using more in new tax revenue than in total PERS reform or savings." Will Weatherford stated on March 5, 2013 in remarks on first day of session: The Legislature needs to spend $500 million to "shore up" the pension fund this year and the next 28 years to keep it "afloat." Tim Knopp stated on February 12, 2013 in a press release: Knopp says he upheld a campaign promise not to join the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Scott Walker stated on November 16, 2012 in a speech: "Our pension system is the only one in the country that’s 100 percent funded." Jim Moran stated on November 21, 2012 in a letter.: Says budget savings by reducing pay and benefits for federal employees total $103 billion over 10 years -- more than $50,000 per worker. Jesse Ventura stated on September 14, 2012 in an interview on MyCentralJersey.com: "There’s 21 congressmen and senators that have been convicted of felonies that still get their retirement, even in jail. They don’t have to wait until they’re 65." Mitt Romney stated on October 16, 2012 in debate comments: Says Barack Obama has pension investments that include Chinese firms, and "investments through a Caymans trust." Shirley Turner stated on July 30, 2012 in a speech on the State Senate floor: "The judicial system is the most underfunded in this state, able to only pay 52 percent of its obligations. Meanwhile, judges get some of the richest pensions of all public employees." Dannel Malloy stated on July 23, 2012 in a radio interview: Says Chris Christie "has refused to fund pensions by billions of dollars," and got legislative approval to begin "properly funding pensions" in 2018. AFSCME stated on June 14, 2012 in a radio appearance: The Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is "a self-funded pension plan" and "it’s the money of the workers’ that funds it." Robert Menendez stated on June 8, 2012 in an interview on NJTV’s “On the Record”: Says Joe Kyrillos "voted to raid the state's pension funds by $2.8 billion that is costing New Jersey taxpayers still today to the tune of nearly $15 billion dollars to repay that money." Brendan Doherty stated on May 15, 2012 in a campaign website: "Over the past five years the federal government has paid out $601 million in retirement and disability benefits to deceased former federal employees." Rick Santorum stated on February 29, 2012 in a campaign speech: "When my grandfather came to this country back in 1925, there were no government benefits." Chain email stated on February 23, 2012 in a chain email: Says Gov. Scott Walker is "openly" backing a move to abolish the state retirement system and convert it to a 401(k)-style plan that will reduce pensions "by at least a third" for current and retired public employees Donald McEachin stated on January 11, 2012 in a speech.: Gov. McDonnell's proposed budget "is cutting" public education. Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says proposal to boost teacher pension fund "puts no mandate on local government." Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says he’s proposed "the largest employer contribution to the Virginia Retirement System in history." David Cicilline stated on December 25, 2011 in an appearance on WPRI's Newsmakers: "I think with the exception of the last year or maybe the last two years, we were at 100 percent" when it came to contributing to the Providence pension fund. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt stated on November 17, 2011 in a General Assembly debate on pension overhaul: "Eighty-five percent . . . of Rhode Island tax returns that were filed for the year 2010 . . . were from individuals who earned $30,000 or less." Philip Keefe stated on November 13, 2011 in an appearance on 10 News Conference: "If they made no changes whatsoever, the [state employees pension] plan still had enough money to go forward for approximately the next 16 years." David Mellon stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a state pension hearing: "The job [of correctional officer] lowers your life expectancy . . . Metropolitan did a study in, I believe it was 1998, and the life expectancy was 58." Sanford Bishop stated on September 15, 2011 in a letter to the the Postal Regulatory Commission chairwoman: "No other public or private business in America" except for the U.S. Postal Service must fund 100 percent of employee retirement and retirement health costs in advance. Paul Valletta stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a General Assembly pension hearing: Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo "raised the mortality rate from 65 to 87" and "used a 1994 annuity chart" to create the pension crisis.
Gina Raimondo stated on October 21, 2013 in a fundraising letter.: "Providence has more of its pension fund invested in hedge funds and is less transparent" about it than the state. Republican Party of Florida stated on October 30, 2013 in a YouTube attack ad: As CFO, Alex Sink oversaw "a $27 billion loss in the state's pension fund." Michael Turner stated on April 22, 2012 in a news release: Some "20,000 Delphi salaried retirees lost up to 70 percent of their pensions" as a result of "political favoritism and backroom deals." Doug Miller stated on May 21, 2013 in a Texas House floor debate.: Says less than half of 1 percent of all the Texas legislators who ever served draw "a benefit" from pensions tied to the salaries of state district judges. 13th District GOP slate stated on May 31, 2013 in A primary election campaign mailer: "New Jersey’s once-broken pension system is now solvent." Frank Caprio stated on May 19, 2013 in an appearance on "10 News Conference": Since Gina Raimondo took office, investment fees on the state's pension portfolio "have gone up from about $12 million annually to about $50 million." Portland Public Schools stated on January 22, 2013 in a letter to Portlanders: Says "PPS employees have paid their own PERS contributions for many years." Bruce Hanna stated on March 6, 2013 in a floor speech: Says, "The Democrats' proposed budget is also balanced by using more in new tax revenue than in total PERS reform or savings." Will Weatherford stated on March 5, 2013 in remarks on first day of session: The Legislature needs to spend $500 million to "shore up" the pension fund this year and the next 28 years to keep it "afloat." Tim Knopp stated on February 12, 2013 in a press release: Knopp says he upheld a campaign promise not to join the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Scott Walker stated on November 16, 2012 in a speech: "Our pension system is the only one in the country that’s 100 percent funded." Jim Moran stated on November 21, 2012 in a letter.: Says budget savings by reducing pay and benefits for federal employees total $103 billion over 10 years -- more than $50,000 per worker. Jesse Ventura stated on September 14, 2012 in an interview on MyCentralJersey.com: "There’s 21 congressmen and senators that have been convicted of felonies that still get their retirement, even in jail. They don’t have to wait until they’re 65." Mitt Romney stated on October 16, 2012 in debate comments: Says Barack Obama has pension investments that include Chinese firms, and "investments through a Caymans trust." Shirley Turner stated on July 30, 2012 in a speech on the State Senate floor: "The judicial system is the most underfunded in this state, able to only pay 52 percent of its obligations. Meanwhile, judges get some of the richest pensions of all public employees." Dannel Malloy stated on July 23, 2012 in a radio interview: Says Chris Christie "has refused to fund pensions by billions of dollars," and got legislative approval to begin "properly funding pensions" in 2018. AFSCME stated on June 14, 2012 in a radio appearance: The Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is "a self-funded pension plan" and "it’s the money of the workers’ that funds it." Robert Menendez stated on June 8, 2012 in an interview on NJTV’s “On the Record”: Says Joe Kyrillos "voted to raid the state's pension funds by $2.8 billion that is costing New Jersey taxpayers still today to the tune of nearly $15 billion dollars to repay that money." Brendan Doherty stated on May 15, 2012 in a campaign website: "Over the past five years the federal government has paid out $601 million in retirement and disability benefits to deceased former federal employees." Rick Santorum stated on February 29, 2012 in a campaign speech: "When my grandfather came to this country back in 1925, there were no government benefits." Chain email stated on February 23, 2012 in a chain email: Says Gov. Scott Walker is "openly" backing a move to abolish the state retirement system and convert it to a 401(k)-style plan that will reduce pensions "by at least a third" for current and retired public employees Donald McEachin stated on January 11, 2012 in a speech.: Gov. McDonnell's proposed budget "is cutting" public education. Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says proposal to boost teacher pension fund "puts no mandate on local government." Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says he’s proposed "the largest employer contribution to the Virginia Retirement System in history." David Cicilline stated on December 25, 2011 in an appearance on WPRI's Newsmakers: "I think with the exception of the last year or maybe the last two years, we were at 100 percent" when it came to contributing to the Providence pension fund. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt stated on November 17, 2011 in a General Assembly debate on pension overhaul: "Eighty-five percent . . . of Rhode Island tax returns that were filed for the year 2010 . . . were from individuals who earned $30,000 or less." Philip Keefe stated on November 13, 2011 in an appearance on 10 News Conference: "If they made no changes whatsoever, the [state employees pension] plan still had enough money to go forward for approximately the next 16 years." David Mellon stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a state pension hearing: "The job [of correctional officer] lowers your life expectancy . . . Metropolitan did a study in, I believe it was 1998, and the life expectancy was 58." Sanford Bishop stated on September 15, 2011 in a letter to the the Postal Regulatory Commission chairwoman: "No other public or private business in America" except for the U.S. Postal Service must fund 100 percent of employee retirement and retirement health costs in advance. Paul Valletta stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a General Assembly pension hearing: Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo "raised the mortality rate from 65 to 87" and "used a 1994 annuity chart" to create the pension crisis.
Gina Raimondo stated on October 21, 2013 in a fundraising letter.: "Providence has more of its pension fund invested in hedge funds and is less transparent" about it than the state.
Republican Party of Florida stated on October 30, 2013 in a YouTube attack ad: As CFO, Alex Sink oversaw "a $27 billion loss in the state's pension fund."
Michael Turner stated on April 22, 2012 in a news release: Some "20,000 Delphi salaried retirees lost up to 70 percent of their pensions" as a result of "political favoritism and backroom deals."
Doug Miller stated on May 21, 2013 in a Texas House floor debate.: Says less than half of 1 percent of all the Texas legislators who ever served draw "a benefit" from pensions tied to the salaries of state district judges.
13th District GOP slate stated on May 31, 2013 in A primary election campaign mailer: "New Jersey’s once-broken pension system is now solvent."
Frank Caprio stated on May 19, 2013 in an appearance on "10 News Conference": Since Gina Raimondo took office, investment fees on the state's pension portfolio "have gone up from about $12 million annually to about $50 million."
Portland Public Schools stated on January 22, 2013 in a letter to Portlanders: Says "PPS employees have paid their own PERS contributions for many years."
Bruce Hanna stated on March 6, 2013 in a floor speech: Says, "The Democrats' proposed budget is also balanced by using more in new tax revenue than in total PERS reform or savings."
Will Weatherford stated on March 5, 2013 in remarks on first day of session: The Legislature needs to spend $500 million to "shore up" the pension fund this year and the next 28 years to keep it "afloat."
Tim Knopp stated on February 12, 2013 in a press release: Knopp says he upheld a campaign promise not to join the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
Scott Walker stated on November 16, 2012 in a speech: "Our pension system is the only one in the country that’s 100 percent funded."
Jim Moran stated on November 21, 2012 in a letter.: Says budget savings by reducing pay and benefits for federal employees total $103 billion over 10 years -- more than $50,000 per worker.
Jesse Ventura stated on September 14, 2012 in an interview on MyCentralJersey.com: "There’s 21 congressmen and senators that have been convicted of felonies that still get their retirement, even in jail. They don’t have to wait until they’re 65."
Mitt Romney stated on October 16, 2012 in debate comments: Says Barack Obama has pension investments that include Chinese firms, and "investments through a Caymans trust."
Shirley Turner stated on July 30, 2012 in a speech on the State Senate floor: "The judicial system is the most underfunded in this state, able to only pay 52 percent of its obligations. Meanwhile, judges get some of the richest pensions of all public employees."
Dannel Malloy stated on July 23, 2012 in a radio interview: Says Chris Christie "has refused to fund pensions by billions of dollars," and got legislative approval to begin "properly funding pensions" in 2018.
AFSCME stated on June 14, 2012 in a radio appearance: The Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is "a self-funded pension plan" and "it’s the money of the workers’ that funds it."
Robert Menendez stated on June 8, 2012 in an interview on NJTV’s “On the Record”: Says Joe Kyrillos "voted to raid the state's pension funds by $2.8 billion that is costing New Jersey taxpayers still today to the tune of nearly $15 billion dollars to repay that money."
Brendan Doherty stated on May 15, 2012 in a campaign website: "Over the past five years the federal government has paid out $601 million in retirement and disability benefits to deceased former federal employees."
Rick Santorum stated on February 29, 2012 in a campaign speech: "When my grandfather came to this country back in 1925, there were no government benefits."
Chain email stated on February 23, 2012 in a chain email: Says Gov. Scott Walker is "openly" backing a move to abolish the state retirement system and convert it to a 401(k)-style plan that will reduce pensions "by at least a third" for current and retired public employees
Donald McEachin stated on January 11, 2012 in a speech.: Gov. McDonnell's proposed budget "is cutting" public education.
Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says proposal to boost teacher pension fund "puts no mandate on local government."
Bob McDonnell stated on December 19, 2011 in a speech.: Says he’s proposed "the largest employer contribution to the Virginia Retirement System in history."
David Cicilline stated on December 25, 2011 in an appearance on WPRI's Newsmakers: "I think with the exception of the last year or maybe the last two years, we were at 100 percent" when it came to contributing to the Providence pension fund.
Lisa Baldelli-Hunt stated on November 17, 2011 in a General Assembly debate on pension overhaul: "Eighty-five percent . . . of Rhode Island tax returns that were filed for the year 2010 . . . were from individuals who earned $30,000 or less."
Philip Keefe stated on November 13, 2011 in an appearance on 10 News Conference: "If they made no changes whatsoever, the [state employees pension] plan still had enough money to go forward for approximately the next 16 years."
David Mellon stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a state pension hearing: "The job [of correctional officer] lowers your life expectancy . . . Metropolitan did a study in, I believe it was 1998, and the life expectancy was 58."
Sanford Bishop stated on September 15, 2011 in a letter to the the Postal Regulatory Commission chairwoman: "No other public or private business in America" except for the U.S. Postal Service must fund 100 percent of employee retirement and retirement health costs in advance.
Paul Valletta stated on October 27, 2011 in testimony at a General Assembly pension hearing: Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo "raised the mortality rate from 65 to 87" and "used a 1994 annuity chart" to create the pension crisis.