Steven Gassenberger
Policy Analyst, Pension Integrity Project, Reason Foundation
Steven Gassenberger is a policy analyst with Reason Foundation's Pension Integrity Project.
Prior to joining Reason Foundation, 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, Gassenberger 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 an MA in public policy from Tel Aviv University.
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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.
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Analysis of South Carolina Senate Bill 176
Senate Bill 176 would provide new hires a secure and attractive retirement plan that better protects the state's taxpayers.
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Analysis of Texas Senate Bill 321
Senate Bill 321 could save the state as much as $15 billion in long term costs and ensure that new employees' retirement benefits are fully funded.
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Testimony: Texas Pension Reform Effort Would Improve Retirement Security, Lower Costs
Legislation in Texas could save the state $15 billion in pension costs over 30 years.
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How to Make Positive Changes to the South Carolina Retirement System
This series of one-pagers aims to explain how a state can transition to a new retirement plan design, the benefits of expanding retirement plan choice for South Carolina's workers, and more.
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Testimony: Texas Considers Report on Assumed Rate of Return
According to ERS reporting, deviations from investment return assumptions have added $8.43 billion in debt to the pension system since 2001.
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Pension Plan Investments in Alternative Assets Pose Serious Risk to Taxpayers and Members
Alternative investments are the most challenging investments to value because they require assumptions about complex future cash flows and valuation multiples from future sales.
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Florida Retirement Cost Increases Highlight the Need for Pension Reform
Florida legislators will have to address an additional $2.3 billion in FRS costs in the next eight years.
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Testimony: Legislation in Montana Would Use Marijuana Tax Revenue to Pay for Pensions
Dedicating marijuana tax revenues to pay down long-term pension debts can help improve a state’s financial position.
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Testimony: Texas Employee Pension System Considers Funding Change
Over $4.46 billion of ERS's pension debt can be attributed to the way the state systematically underfunds its public employee pension system.
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Testimony: Texas Pensions Would Benefit from Increased Transparency
A Private Equity Portfolio Performance report would make public specific information regarding the private equity holdings of TRS for third-party monitoring and evaluation.
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Montana Public Employee Retirement System (MPERS) Pension Solvency Analysis
The Montana Public Employee Retirement System public pension plan is only 74 percent funded.
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Testimony: Nebraska Taxpayers, Employees and Retirees Would Benefit From Pension Stress Testing
Stress testing can help stakeholders better understand the potential financial risks facing pension systems.
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Legislation in Nebraska Would Use Stress Testing to Assess Municipal Pension Sustainability
Stress testing would be a significant first step in identifying and addressing the challenges facing locally-run pension plans in Nebraska.
