Hot Topics

A SEMINAR HOSTED by a law firm and the R.I. League of Cities and Towns addressed the issue of unfunded pension and OPEB liabilities. / PBN FILE PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATION

Moderator at forum about unfunded pension and OPEB liabilities: ‘One of...

Government 10/14/2016

PROVIDENCE – A change in accounting standards that will require governments to start disclosing the amount of unfunded pension and retiree benefits on yearly...

RHODE ISLAND ranks 39th among the states for its funded ratio of its public pension plan at 29.6 percent. This measure looks at the total value of a plan's assets weighed against its accrued liabilities; the data was included in a report from the American Legislative Exchange Council and State Budget Solutions. / COURTESY ALEC/STATE BUDGET SOLUTIONS

Report: State pension plans face growing challenges, R.I. no exception

Government 10/14/2016

PROVIDENCE – Nationwide, a new report says that state public employee pension plans are underfunded by nearly $5.6 trillion. At $18.6 billion, Rhode Island’s...

Psst, state pensions still need reform

Editorials 10/14/2016

For those thinking that the finalized reforms to the state-worker pension system took care of all its issues, think again. The outstanding problem is the...

A SEMINAR HOSTED by a law firm and the R.I. League of Cities and Towns is set to address the issue of unfunded pension and OPEB liabilities. / PBN FILE PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATION

Pension, OPEB ‘crisis’ to be examined at panel discussion

Government 10/13/2016

PROVIDENCE – Accountants, actuaries, politicians and union leaders are scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss the looming Rhode Island crisis related to public...

R.I.’s pension-return conundrum

Financial Services 10/07/2016

The R.I. State Retirement Commission last month decided to cut its roughly $1 billion investment into hedge funds in half, saying the asset has...

STEPPING UP: From left, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, North Providence Mayor Charles A. Lombardi, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung have all spoken about the state's need to address unfunded municipal pension liabilities and OPEBs.

Will leaders emerge to avert a looming municipal pension and benefit...

Business Services 08/19/2016

Editor’s note: This is the fourth and final installment in a series exploring how well Rhode Island cities and towns are funding municipal pension...

MANY VOICES BUT NOT SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS: While public officials, including, from left, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, North Providence Mayor Charles A. Lombardi, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung have talked about municipal unfunded liabilities for retirement benefits, there still has not been enough of an effort to put city and town finances on a sustainable path. / PBN ILLUSTRATION/LISA LAGRECA

State must take more active role in reforming municipal finances

Editorials 08/19/2016

If the state's public officials want to make a real difference in Rhode Island's future, they should spend less time on getting to the...

CRANSTON MAYOR Allan Fung, who called the decision historic news, said the city “is prepared to do whatever it takes to defend this historic decision upholding our pension reforms all the way to the Supreme Court.” / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Cranston opt-out case heading to Supreme Court

Business Services 07/27/2016

CRANSTON – Following a Friday R.I. Superior Court ruling in favor of Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung’s decision to freeze yearly benefit increases, the...

Bristol County Savings holding bobblehead night at McCoy

Financial Services 07/26/2016

PAWTUCKET – For the 15th consecutive year, Bristol County Savings Bank, based in Taunton, is hosting Bobblehead Doll Night at McCoy Stadium on July...