Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

There are a number of different types of retirement income benefits that local governments might offer personnel, including a defined contribution plan (i.e., IRA, 401a, 457b, or 401k-type plan), a defined benefit plan (i.e., a traditional pension), or a hybrid plan (i.e., a plan that combines features of both defined benefit and defined contribution plans for an individual). Which type(s) of retirement income benefits, if any, does your jurisdiction offer to former elected officials? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's retirement income benefits - or lack thereof - for new hires to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's retirement income benefits - or lack thereof - for current employees to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's retirement income benefits - or lack thereof - for retired employees to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's retirement income benefits - or lack thereof - for current elected officials to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

Overall, do you consider your jurisdiction's retirement income benefits - or lack thereof - for former elected officials to be too generous, about right, or not generous enough? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

a. Had an actuarial valuation of our defined benefit pension within the last 2 years

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

b. Increased the years of service required and/or the age at which retirement benefits are available

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

c. Increased employee contribution to defined benefit portion of the pension

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

d. Reduced the multiplier that helps determine pension payments based on final average salary

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

e. Reduced, eliminated, or postponed the cost of living adjustment (COLA)

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its retiree health care benefits for any current or future retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those jurisdictions that reported taking action regarding their retiree health care benefits)

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

f. Decreased the assumed rate of return for stock market investments in the pension fund

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

g. Closed defined benefit pension to new individuals

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

h. Converted to a defined contribution (IRA, 401a, 457b, or 401k-type) plan

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

i. Converted to a hybrid (defined benefit and defined contribution) plan

Which of the following actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken so far regarding its defined benefit and/or hybrid pension plans for any of its employees, elected officials, or retirees? (check all that apply) (Among those who reported taking some action on their defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

j. Financed liability through bonds

Overall, how effective would you say your jurisdiction's efforts, if any, have been at controlling costs related to its retirement income benefits? (Among those jurisdictions that reported having defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

A jurisdiction's "actuarially required contribution" (ARC) to its pension fund is based on the benefits earned by employees in the current year, plus an amount to reduce any unfunded liabilities for past years. Some jurisdictions pay their ARC in full each year. Others do not, and may just pay as they go for only that year's pension costs. Thinking specifically about defined benefit (i.e., traditional pensions) and/or hybrid plans, which of the following statements best describes your jurisdiction's contributions to its pension fund during its previous fiscal year?

To the best of your knowledge, are your jurisdiction's pension obligations currently fully funded? (Among those jurisdictions that reported having defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

Regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction's defined benefit and/or hybrid plan pension obligations are currently fully funded, in your opinion, are these obligations a significant fiscal problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem, or not a problem at all for your jurisdiction's fiscal health? (Among those jurisdictions that reported having defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

Looking ahead, how concerned are you, if at all, that your jurisdiction will not be able to fulfill its pension obligations to its retirees? (Among those jurisdictions that reported having defined benefit or hybrid retirement income benefit plans)

Does your jurisdiction provide any kind of retiree health care benefits to any current or former employees and/or elected officials?

Does your jurisdiction provide any kind of retiree health care benefits to any current or former employees and/or elected officials?

Do you think your jurisdiction should be providing retiree health care benefits to current and/or retired employees? (Among those jurisdictions that reported not offering any kind of retiree health care benefits)