Audio News Conference: Houston Municipal Pension Plan Reforms: Lessons Learned

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report from the Center for State and Local Government Excellence offers lessons learned by governments that have reformed their pension plans to make them more fiscally sustainable, while still providing retirement security to their employees.

"Strengthening State and Local Government Finances: Lessons for Negotiating Public Pension Plan Reforms" covers the reforms of five governments, including the Houston Municipal Employees' Pension System, which, among other things, changed the compositions of governance structures and altered the way benefits are calculated for some employees. The report offers lessons for other reform-minded governments on plan funding and governance, the importance of using good data from experts, communication, and employee financial education.

WHAT: Audio news conference

WHEN: Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 3-4 p.m. EDT

WHO: Joshua Franzel, Ph.D., Alex Brown, Danielle Miller Wagner, and Elizabeth Kellar of the Center for State and Local Government Excellence and Paula Sanford, Ph.D., of the University of Georgia

HOW: Email Alex Brown ([email protected]) to reserve a place on the call and receive the call-in number and the link to the embargoed report.

About the Center for State and Local Government Excellence
The Center for State and Local Government Excellence helps state and local governments become knowledgeable and competitive employers so they can attract and retain a talented and committed workforce. The Center identifies best practices and conducts research on competitive employment practices, workforce development, pensions, retiree health security, and financial planning. The Center also brings state and local leaders together with respected researchers and features the latest demographic data on the aging workforce, research studies, and news on health care, recruitment, and succession planning on its website, www.slge.org.

SOURCE Center for State and Local Government Excellence