Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

Now, regardless of whether or not your jurisdiction expects to have a budget deficit this year, in your opinion, what would be the preferred method for eliminating any potential deficit (if it had one) according to the following groups or individuals? Do you think that they would prefer to cut costs/services, increase taxes, use any savings your jurisdiction may have or increase debt (if legally allowable)? You personally in your role as a local official would prefer to...

First, does your jurisdiction offer any kind of retirement income benefits (defined benefit pensions, defined contribution plans such as an IRA, 401a, 457b, or 401k-type plan, etc.) to any current or former employees and/or elected officials?

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

Do you think your jurisdiction should be providing retirement income benefits to current and/or former elected officials? (Among those jurisdictions that reported not offering any kind of retirement income benefits)

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 new hires? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

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 current employees? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

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 retired employees? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

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 current elected officials? (Among those jurisdictions that reported offering some kind of retirement income benefits)

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