The Pench.

The Pench: a podcast

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By WRNI NEWS
WRNI presents its entire, in-depth look at Rhode Island's state pension crisis.

The Pench: a tale of two treasurers.

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By CATHERINE WELCH
When Nancy Mayer was Rhode Island's General Treasurer between 1994 and 2000, she was a fixture on Smith Hill telling anyone who would listen that the state pension system was going broke. The statehouse crowd derided her as a Henny Penny screaming needlessly that the sky was falling. So 11 years and nearly $7 billion in unfunded pension liabilities later, current Treasurer Gina Raimondo is taking a different approach.

The Pench: long live the retirees

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By FLO JONIC
One of the problems facing the state's pension system is that retirees are living longer. At the turn of the 20th century Americans lived an average of 49 years. Today it's 78 and that means retirees are collecting state pensions a lot longer than they used to.

The Pench: Political Roundtable

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Listen to this special edition of WRNI's political roundtable focusing on the pension crisis in Rhode Island. WRNI's Ian Donnis and Scott Mackay, with guests from government, unions, and academia, look at what it means for the state and what it means going forward.

The Pench: One state worker fears for her future security

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By CATHERINE WELCH
All this week WRNI News is looking into the state pension system in a series we're calling "The Pench." This morning we meet with a current state worker who is confused and scared about whether she'll have enough for her retirement.

The Pench: Teacher Edition

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By ELISABETH HARRISON
We continue our week-long series on Rhode Island's troubled pension fund with a look at teachers. Nearly half of the retirees in the pension system are teachers, and they receive an average of just over $41,000 per year. That accounts for more than half of the state's $7 billion unfunded pension liability.

The Pench: Double dipping in Providence

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By IAN DONNIS
One of the problems pointed out in the state treasurer's report is the practice of double dipping -- cashing in on more than one pension. While the Providence pension plan operates separately from the state pension, it serves as a good example for what happens when retirees double dip.

The Pench: A union president gives his point of view

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By SCOTT MACKAY
For the second installment of our series looking at the state's pension crisis, WRNI's Political Analyst Scott Mackay sat down with Council 94 President J. Michael Downey to talk about The Pench.

Can RI pols fix the pension problem?

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By SCOTT MACKAY
Rhode Island's looming pension insolvency threatens the state's future. WRNI political analyst Scott MacKay says the pension issue begs an even bigger question: Can state government solve the really big problems?

The Pench!

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

By MEGAN HALL AND BRADLEY CAMPBELL
All this week, WRNI will be digging into Rhode Island's pension crisis. WRNI's Megan Hall and Bradley Campbell wondered who's behind all those checks that go out to retired workers every month, so they paid a visit to the men behind the money.