About

Coalition Overview

Floridians for Sustainable Pensions (FSP) is a group of citizens, civic and business organizations concerned with Florida’s unsustainable government sector pension plans. FSP exists to ensure that Floridians have an organized voice to encourage immediate reform of government pensions. 

Floridians continue to hear stories of outlandish pension payouts and cities on the verge of bankruptcy because of pension promises made years ago. Many cash-strapped local governments are facing the problem of underfunded pension plans. As a result, critical services could be downsized or eliminated in order to shift resources into pension funds.

FSP understands that our government employees, particularly our first responders, perform a great service for Floridians. However, if we continue down the path of underfunded pensions, these government employees may confront job cuts or wind up with unstable retirements or no pension at all.

FSP members want to leave a legacy for Florida’s future – a sustainable pension system that appropriately supports government workers without depending on future tax dollars to do so. Although the Florida Retirement System is better off than the pension plans of some of Florida’s major cities and positive changes were made to the FRS in the 2011 Legislative Session, improvements are still needed to create a system that is viable for years to come. In fact, Florida could face the same kinds of budget problems of California or Illinois if something isn’t done soon.

For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we want what is best for Florida’s future. It’s time for politicians to quit making pension promises that the next generation will have to finance. It’s time for the public sector to do what most of the private sector has already done – replace taxpayer-guaranteed pension perks with 401(k) style personal retirement savings plans that employees own and control.

Floridians for Sustainable Pensions encourages interested parties and individuals to join our coalition to form one powerful voice to push for immediate pension reform.