Dayton Business Journal, February 26, 2009

In fiscal years 2005-06, state and local pension plans boosted the economy by more than $358 billion, according to a study released Thursday by the National Institute of Retirement Security (NIRS).

Those benefits included supporting more than 2.5 million American jobs that paid $92 billion, providing $57 billion in tax revenue and paying $151.7 billion to retirees and beneficiaries.

Pensions had the largest impact on industries such as manufacturing, retail, accommodation and food service – all struggling sectors in the current recession.

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