Pensions | CSA

PENSIONS

DATA-DRIVEN POLICY FOR SUBSTANTIAL PENSIONS

HISTORY OF PUBLIC SAFETY PENSION REFORM

In 2024, CSA consolidated the recent history of reforms to the public safety pension systems managed by the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). Watch the video below to learn about the decline in the systems’ solvencies, legislative changes, and actions by the PSPRS and local governments to address funding shortfalls and put the plans back on a sustainable path.

History

CSA PENSION POLICY PERSPECTIVE

CSA is committed to promoting the long-term sustainability of Arizona’s public safety pension systems. Recognizing the significant fiscal impact of pension liabilities on counties, CSA prioritizes efforts to improve the financial health of these systems through data-driven analysis, responsible debt management strategies, and active engagement with the System and state policymakers. By advocating for a sustainable model, appropriate actuarial assumptions and supporting counties in developing sound repayment plans, CSA works to ensure that pension obligations are met in a way that protects the taxpayer as well as the benefits guaranteed to our essential public safety personnel.

Evaluation Framework for Proposed Pension Changes

Is this the appropriate policy solution to this problem? Are there other policy avenues that should be evaluated?
Is there a demonstrable taxpayer value?
What is the funding mechanism? Is it sustainable long-term?
Are there potential cost drivers that may cause long-term issues with providing the benefit?

Resolution 3-24 Urging the PSPRS Board of Trustees to Protect Historic Investments in Public Safety Pensions and Requesting that State Lawmakers Exercise Restraint in Enacting Policies that Increase Costs or Modify Contributions to the System.

Resolution 6-23 Urging the PSPRS Board of Trustees to Continue Making Responsible Changes to the Debt Repayment Plan and Requesting that State Lawmakers Exercise Restraint in Enacting Policies that Increase Costs or Modify Contributions to the System.

Resolution 4-22 Urging the PSPRS Board of Trustees to Continue Making Responsible Changes to the Plan and Requesting that State Lawmakers Exercise Restraint in Enacting Policies that Increase Costs in the System.

Resolution 3-21 Urging the PSPRS Board of Trustees to Protect Historic Investments in Public Safety Pensions and Requesting that State Lawmakers Exercise Restraint in Enacting Policies that Increase Costs or Modify Contributions to the System.

Resolution 5-20 Urging the PSPRS Board of Trustees to Continue Making Responsible Changes to the Pension Debt Repayment Plan and Requesting that the State Government Remove Barriers to Responsible Solutions.

Resolution 4-19 Expressing Grave Concern with the PSPRS Pension Debt Repayment Plan and Urging the State Government to Remove Barriers to Responsible Solutions.

Policy Statement CSA urges the Governor and Arizona State Legislature to provide permanent relief to rural counties for the increased Elected Officials Retirement Plan liability.

Policy Framework

PENSION BASICS

Pension funding is complex. To better understand the implications of policy changes on Arizona’s public safety pension system, CSA has put together a video series explaining the pension structures under the management of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, along with some basics about actuarial methods.

Pension Basics

Pension Resources

Fast Facts & Research

County Funded Status & Outstanding Pension Obligation Bonds — February 2025

Detention Retention & Recruitment Study – October 2025

Public Safety Retention & Recruitment Study – January 2024

10 Things to Know About Public Safety Pension Funding – Oct. 2019

Briefings

History of Public Safety Pension Reform

2024 CSA Summit

County Debt Repayment & Policy Perspective

2023 CSA Summit