Standard & Poor's Just Released Annual Rankings for State Pension Funded Levels -- 2011
July 17, 2013 6:13 PM
In its July 16 report, "A Bumpy Road Lies Ahead for U.S. Public Pension Funded Levels," Standard & Poor's ranked the top five and bottom five states by funded levels. Image: Thinkstock
Wisconsin, famous for cheese and known as the badger state after the habits of early miners, ranks number one in the country, with a funded pension level of 99.9%. Image: Shutterstock
New York, the third most populous state, the birthplace of the potato chip and the home of the Statue of Liberty, also has one of the highest funded pension levels, at 92.7%. Image: Shutterstock
Nicknamed the Bluegrass state, Kentucky attracts hundreds of thousands of people annually for the Kentucky Derby and has the second lowest funded pension plan, at 53.4%. Image: Shutterstock
Louisiana, named after Louis XIV, King of France, offers some of the best gumbo, jazz and of course Mardi Gras, but also has a low funded pension level of 56.2% Image: Shutterstock
North Carolina, which boasts some of the countrys most beautiful beaches and mountains, has a funded pension level of 95.35% Image: Shutterstock
Cash-strapped Illinois, which boasts arguably some of the best deep dish pizza in the country, has the lowest funded pension plan in the U.S., at 43.4%. Image: Shutterstock
South Dakota, home to Mount Rushmore, has a funded pension level of 96.3%. Image: Shutterstock
Washington state, home to the original Starbucks, has a funded pension of 93.7%. Image: Shutterstock
New Hampshire, the live free or die state that produces some of the countrys sweetest treats from maple syrup, only has a funded pension level of 57.4%. Image: Shutterstock
Home to World Wrestling Entertainment, several casinos and New Haven-style pizza, Connecticut has a 55% funded pension level. Image: Michael Scarchilli
