Myths and truths about pensions.

• Position: News & Numbers

In the conversation around public pensions, a number of myths are repeated over and over again. The National Public Pension Coalition dispels three of the most common misapprehensions.

Myth No. 1: Pensions are underfunded and unsustainable.

Truth: Most public pensions are back on sound financial footing after the Great Recession and on a path to full funding.

Recently, the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College predicted that public pensions would achieve sustainable funding levels by 2018.

Myth No. 2: States are abandoning defined benefit pension (DB) plans.

Truth: In recent years, states have rejected bills that would convert their pension systems to defined contribution (DC) plans. Further, certain states are considering moving back to DB plans.

Myth No. 3: DC plans provide workers with a secure...