Steven Gassenberger
Policy Analyst, Reason Foundation
Steven Gassenberger is a policy analyst with Reason Foundation's Pension Integrity Project.
Prior to joining Reason, Gassenberger worked as a consumer advocacy manager for Xerox Corporation specializing in financial consumer regulation and compliance. He also worked as a senior associate for Stateside Associates, where he developed state-level management strategies for a variety of policy areas. Prior to that, held positions at the National Breast Cancer Coalition and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
At Reason, Gassenberger has contributed to in-depth analysis of the Arkansas TRS, Florida FRS, Louisiana LASERS, Louisiana TRSL, Mississippi PERS, Montana MPERS, Montana TRS, New Mexico ERB, New Mexico PERA, North Dakota PERS, Texas ERS, and Texas TRS pension systems.
Gassenberger has also presented testimony in Montana, Nebraska, and Texas during state pension reform efforts.
His work has been published in The Wall Street Journal and Business Observer.
Gassenberger recently shared the stage at the Pelican Institute’s Solutions Summit 2.0 with Louisiana State Senator Barrow Peacock, Michigan State Senator Phil Pavlov, and Jonathan Williams, Chief Economist at The American Legislative Exchange Council in discussing “Fostering a Sustainable System for Louisiana.”
Gassenberger graduated from the University of New Orleans with a BA in international relations and received a MA in public policy from Tel Aviv University.
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Testimony: Recommendations for the FRS Investment Plan
Adjustments to Florida's public defined contribution retirement plan could better serve employees and taxpayers.
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Environmental and social investing can put taxpayers and public pension funds at risk
Making the world a better place does not put money into a public pension fund struggling to meet its funding requirements, nor does it pay for the benefits or cost-of-living adjustments promised to retirees.
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Structural Problems Cause Public Pension Systems to Look to Alternative Investments
Pension systems should ensure employee and employer contributions are at the proper levels and their investment return rate assumptions reflect the realistic long-term market and economic conditions.
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How to address Montana’s underfunded public pension plans
This analysis explores previous attempts to fund Montana's public pension plans and suggests new policies to consider.
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The Teacher Retirement System of Texas Is in Need of Serious Reform
After prudent reforms to the Employee Retirement System, the Texas legislature is considering bills that ignore the need to reform the Teacher Retirement System.
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These States Are Leading the Way on Pension Reform
State and local leaders seeking to make lasting improvements to government finances should look to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Michigan.
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Landmark Texas Pension Reform Law Tackles Funding Issues, Secures Employees’ Retirement Benefits
Senate Bill 321, the new Texas pension reform law, addresses persistent structural underfunding and will pay down over $14 billion in unfunded liabilities.
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Cash Balance Retirement Plan Would Offer Texas Workers Guaranteed Retirement Benefits
Both traditional defined benefit and cash balance retirement plan designs are examples of guaranteed return retirement plans that provide retirees a protected stream of lifetime income.
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How Would Senate Bill 321 Effect Texas’ Public Employee Recruitment and Retention
Only 14 percent of Texas new hires under 35 today are expected to serve a full career and receive an unreduced retirement benefit.