[BroadHopper]

I do know that many retirement plans invest heavily in stocks, bonds etc. Original budgets were based on what they forecast is the return on their investments to level fund the plan. Because of the market crash of 2008 many retirement plans lost a lot of equity, many have not been able to regain that equity. Many retirees were guaranteed an x amount of benefit, with the money gone many retirement plans cannot afford it. This is when the union demand that employers make good to their contracts by 'level funding' the retirement plans. This is a big reason why many municipalities are bankrupt. I do know the Mass. Teachers Retirement Plan have repeatedly requested employers to level fund the plan because the retirement was negotiated in union contracts. I do know that the pension plan recipients were told that if the employers don't contribute there will be a cut in benefits.

Just because you paid into the retirement plan and expect it back, because of bad investments it may not be there.


I am not saying this is the fault of the employees or the employers, but the fault of the government not being able to regulate the safety of the retirement plans. This is all the more reason why social security should never invest in stocks and bonds.


It is nice that the unions are able to retain retirement benefits that were due to their members. In my case because of the market crash I did not have that luxury, I am only receiving 30 cent on the dollar that which I am entitled. One retiree I know, employer went bankrupt and dissolved, he is getting 10 cents on the dollar. One reason many retirees are back in the work force.