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Reality Check: Pensions For MN, WI State Workers

By Pat Kessler, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)
-- Minnesota public workers already pay more for their pensions than public workers in Wisconsin.

IN FACT, Wisconsin public employees pay nothing for their retirement now.

Gov. Scott Walker wants them to pay 6 percent.

Minnesota public workers already pay 5.8 percent.

By comparison, the average 401k contribution last year was about 8 percent.

However, that's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

Public workers like teachers, cops and snowplow drivers aren't getting rich working or retiring.

The average state worker in Wisconsin makes about $54,000 ($53,703) with a pension of $24,500.

Minnesota public workers average about $57,000. ($56,866) and get a $26,000 pension.

Here's what you NEED TO KNOW.

Last year, Minnesota public employees took pension cuts to stabilize the fund.

Unlike Wisconsin, Minnesota retirees don't get state health care benefits.

And Minnesota's public workforce is among the smallest in the nation: tied with Florida at No. 40.

That's Reality Check.

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