Colonial Settlement

In Pawtucket, the problem is clear: pensions for police and firefighters account for the lion’s share of the city’s unfunded liability, according to data provided by the Finance Department. The total pension liability for the city is $166 m...illion, and of that amount, $130 million stems from the retirement plans for police and fire, according to the data.

But the city also did not carry its fair share for years. Not only did the city fail to make its annual required contribution for years, but it actually reduced its contribution in order to offset its annual budget deficits, according to the Pawtucket Finance Department.