Anil Niraula was a quantitative policy analyst with Reason Foundation's Pension Integrity Project.
Niraula focused on historical and predictive analysis of public pension finances using actuarial modeling to inform pension policy. At Reason, Niraula contributed analysis of the Arkansas TRS, Louisiana LASERS, Louisiana TRSL, New Mexico ERB, and New Mexico PERA pension systems.
Niraula’s work has been published by The Independent Institute and Georgia Public Policy Foundation. Niraula presented a panel paper at the APPAM 42nd Annual Fall Research Conference.
Prior to joining Reason, Anil worked as a projects officer in data analytics at the International Monetary Fund. He holds an MS in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University (Washington, D.C.).
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Is Texas’ definition of an actuarially sound public pension system outdated?
With this year's high inflation rates hitting retirees living on fixed incomes the hardest, it is not surprising that retiree groups and their allies are advocating for a cost-of-living adjustment.
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Most state pension plans are not adequately prepared for a recession
A recession could add trillions in debt to public retirement systems’ existing unfunded liabilities.
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The Teacher Retirement System of Texas needs to adjust its investment return assumptions
TRS has accrued $47.6 billion in pension debt since 2002, and most of it, around $25 billion, came from investment returns falling below the plan's assumptions.
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The Great Resignation highlights the need for public pension plans to adapt to today’s mobile workforce
Governments should consider modernizing their retirement plans and options for workers who don’t intend to stay in one position or with one employer for multiple decades.
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How public pension plans can use last year’s investment returns to reduce debt and future risk
Lowering investment return rate assumptions can help reduce the risks of future shortfalls and ensure proper funding of retirement benefits for teachers and other public workers.
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Market risks remain a long-term challenge for public pension systems
Public pension plans need to remain mindful of the balance between long-term returns and the volatility risk inherent in some asset classes.
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Three reasons why public pensions still need reform
Despite realizing excellent investment returns in 2021, public pension plans are still in need of reforms to prevent future debt and ensure they can pay out promised benefits.
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One Year of High Investment Returns Does Little to Improve Long-Term Public Pension Funding Levels
Public pension systems should view this year’s excellent investment returns as an outlier, not a norm.
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Contribution Increases Could Help New Mexico’s Teacher Pension Plan, But More Changes Are Necessary
Recently proposed changes would improve the pension plan's funded status, but still fall far short of helping the plan reach full funding.
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Pension Debt Grows as Public Pension Systems Post Low Investment Returns for 2020
State-managed public pension systems likely added over $200 billion in additional pension debt in 2020.
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Risk Assessment Shows New Mexico Pension Reform Protects Plan Members and Taxpayers
Recent reforms could save New Mexico employers and taxpayers as much as 28 percent in total pension costs over the next 30 years.
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Public Pension Plans Weren’t Meeting Investment Expectations Long Before the Coronavirus
A reliance on overly optimistic assumed rates of investment returns was driving the increases in public pension debt before the recent economic downturn.
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Failing to Meet Investment Expectations Drives the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana Debt
Investment underperformance has accounted for over 50 percent of the $6.3 billion worth of unfunded liabilities plaguing TRSL.
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Investment Risks and Volatility Plague Arkansas’ State Public Pension Plans
All stakeholders should press for meaningful change that will help ensure Arkansas public pensions remain sustainable, predictable and affordable for both current and future generations.
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Moody’s Considers New Mexico Pension Reform Credit Positive
Pension reforms "will reduce state and participating local governments’ unfunded pension liabilities and susceptibility to investment return volatility.”
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New Mexico Enacts Bipartisan Pension Reform to Improve PERA Solvency
Senate Bill 72 was a necessary and crucial first step towards improving the financial health of PERA and ensuring the sustainable delivery of public employee retirement benefits for state and local workers
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How Ohio’s Proposed Cost-of-Living Adjustments Would Impact OPERS’ Unfunded Liabilities
The proposed reforms to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System will likely to fall short of the goal of maintaining a secure retirement option for Ohio’s workers.
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Proposed New Mexico PERA Board Restructuring Would Improve Expertise, Balance Representation Long-Term
The proposed legislation offers the promise of improving the experience and oversight capabilities of the Public Employees Retirement Association's governing board.