News Talk 1240 WRTA | Taxpayer Group: Pensions Out of Control

Findings from TUA’s pension project on Altoona and Blair County are featured in this article at News Talk 1240 WRTA.

A national organization says public pensions are drowning local municipalities financially and leaving taxpayers on the hook for their costs.

Representatives from Taxpayers United of America paid a visit to Altoona on Tuesday to highlight the problem citing generous pensions that are currently paid to local municipal retirees. Rae Ann McNeilly tells WRTA News major pension reforms are needed to stave off the problem.

The group provided reporters with a list of top pensions paid to retired workers in the City of Altoona and Blair County. Dozens of pensions are valued at or above the $1-million mark each – many of them belonging to retired unionized workers.

McNeilly also says the system allows former public workers to retire on a public pension and then begin another public sector job collecting another taxpayer salary. The group will take their message to state lawmakers in Harrisburg later today.