What's an option for underfunded multi-employer plans besides benefit cuts or insolvency?

[Recursion]

A bailout from general revenues? I'd vote for it. Anybody think it would pass?

So, if you're against the benefit cuts, and the other option is insolvency, I guess that means you prefer...?

[mythology]

1. The problem with a bailout from general revenues

only provides incentives for the companies to underfund. It would need to incorporate real punishments for underfunding that aren't easy to dislodge via bankruptcy.

[doc03]

2. How about employers paying more into the plan? I am in a similar type plan

the employer pays so much per each hour you work. How about increasing it.

[Recursion]

5. Raise the minimum wage to $25 and all these actuarial problems go away (nt)

[doc03]

6. One problem there us people on a fixed pension would

in effect get a big cut in our income.

[Recursion]

8. It would be inflationary, true, but that lags by some time

There are actual non-zero-sum productivity gains here: a single worker can actually produce more (not just nominally produce more) today than 40 years ago, so a single worker can also actually (and not just nominally) support more retirees by his economic activity.

[doc03]

10. I suspect if the minimum wage would go to $25 McDonalds

and restaurants would put in touch screens and eliminate cashiers and waiters.

[Recursion]

11. Yeah, same argument that was made against windmills 400 years ago

If minimum wage is $25 a lot fewer people will need jobs, because for instance one earner could support a family.

[onecaliberal]

3. Bail them out then make it illegal for employers

To underfund.

[doc03]

4. At the present time it is the multi-employer plans. I would bet it won't

be long before some of these a--holes decide they can cut company sponsored Defined Benefit Plans. Like magic two problems solved at once
companies get of the hook and the PBGC cures its solvency problem.

[msongs]

7. ask the president. he approved of this and signed the enabling legislation. surely

he's got possible solutions.

[Recursion]

9. I have no idea what he thinks about the pension provision since I don't think he's mentioned it

There's a lot of asshole in any given sausage, as they say. But my point is unions themselves are pretty much split on this provision.