"[As] a nation, we are currently on track to pay more money each year in pensions to retired government workers than we pay in Social Security to everyone else.... This is not a valid social contract.... There are really two primary issues that ought to be the focus of debate: [1] What is a realistic rate of return, after adjusting for inflation, for pension funds over the next 30 years? [2] If you don't believe that pension funds are going to continue to deliver 7% returns, 4% real returns after inflation, year after year for the next three decades, do you fix the system by converting participants to an adjustable defined benefit, or by converting participants to a 401K?"  MORE >>