ChatGPT: Which American cities are the most at risk of a pension crisis?

Which American cities are the most at risk of a pension crisis?

There are several American cities that are considered to be at high risk of a pension crisis due to several factors. Some of the cities that are currently facing a significant pension crisis include:

1. Chicago, Illinois - Chicago has one of the worst pension crisis in the country, with an unfunded liability of around $30 billion for their public employee pension funds.

2. Dallas, Texas - Dallas has an unfunded pension liability of over $7 billion, and the city has already cut back on services to try and address the issue.

3. Houston, Texas - Houston's public pension funds are underfunded by around $7.7 billion, and the city is struggling to pay its obligations.

4. Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles has around $10 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, and the city is facing significant budgetary challenges as a result.

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Philadelphia has one of the highest pension debt burdens in the country, with unfunded liabilities topping $10 billion.

6. San Francisco, California - San Francisco has significant pension liabilities, with its unfunded pension obligations currently estimated at around $4.4 billion.

These cities and many others are facing challenges in addressing their pension obligations due to a variety of factors including declining revenues, rising costs, and aging populations. It is important for these cities to take action to address their pension challenges in a timely and effective manner to ensure that their residents are not adversely impacted.

ChatGPT said:

... Some of the cities that are currently facing a significant pension crisis include:

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Of those cities, which are legally able to reduce pension obligations and which are not?

pmbug said:

Of those cities, which are legally able to reduce pension obligations and which are not?

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The legal ability of cities to reduce pension obligations varies depending on the state and the specific legal framework governing their pension systems. In general, cities that are part of states with more flexible pension laws will have greater ability to modify pension benefits for current and future employees to address funding shortfalls. On the other hand, cities that are part of states with more rigid pension regulations may face legal barriers that prevent them from making significant changes to their pension obligations.

For example, in Illinois, the state constitution has been interpreted to protect pension benefits from impairment or diminishment, which means that any attempt to reduce pension obligations may face legal challenges. Other states such as California has similar provisions in their state constitutions.

Meanwhile, states like Arizona and Michigan have passed laws that allow cities to modify future pension benefits for current employees, which gives them greater flexibility in addressing pension obligations.

Overall, the legal ability of cities to reduce pension obligations depends on the specific circumstances and legal frameworks governing their pension systems.

ChatGPT said:

The legal ability of cities to reduce pension obligations varies depending on the state ...

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Which states protect pension benefits from impairment or diminishment and what cities within those states have unfunded pension liabilities of at least $1 billion?

pmbug said:

Which states protect pension benefits from impairment or diminishment and what cities within those states have unfunded pension liabilities of at least $1 billion?

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There are several states that protect pension benefits from impairment or diminishment, including Illinois, Michigan, California, and Pennsylvania.

In Illinois, the state constitution has been interpreted to protect pension benefits, making it difficult for cities to reduce pension obligations for current and future employees. One city in Illinois that has a significant unfunded pension liability is Chicago, which has an unfunded liability of around $30 billion for its public employee pension funds.

In Michigan, the state constitution protects public pension benefits, but the state has also enacted laws that allow cities to modify future pension benefits for current employees. One city in Michigan that has a significant unfunded pension liability is Detroit, which filed for bankruptcy in 2013 in part due to its pension obligations.

In California, the state constitution also protects pension benefits, and there are several cities in the state with significant unfunded pension liabilities, including Los Angeles, with around $10 billion in unfunded liabilities, and San Francisco, with unfunded obligations currently estimated at around $4.4 billion.

In Pennsylvania, the state constitution has a strong protection of pension benefits. One city in Pennsylvania that has a significant unfunded pension liability is Philadelphia, which has an unfunded liability of over $10 billion for its public employee pension funds.

It is worth noting, however, that even in states where pension benefits are protected, there may still be opportunities to modify pension obligations through negotiations with employee unions or other legal avenues.