TEXPERS Deep Dive | Pensionomics 2025: How Public Pensions Power the Economy
In this episode of the TEXPERS Deep Dive Podcast, we take a look back at Pensionomics 2025, a national research report released in January 2025 by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS), which examines the economic impact of defined benefit pension spending.
Using 2022 data, the report examines the impact of pension benefits paid to retirees on local, state, and national economies. Nationally, defined benefit pension payments supported millions of jobs, generated trillions in economic output, and produced substantial federal, state, and local tax revenue.
The episode also highlights Texas-specific findings, showing how state and local pension spending supports jobs, economic activity, and tax revenues across the state.
Designed for trustees and administrators of public employee retirement systems, this episode translates the data into plain language and explores how pension systems can use these findings in member communications, policymaker education, and advocacy efforts.
Defined benefit pensions are more than retirement checks.
They are long-term economic infrastructure supporting communities across Texas and the nation.
About the Author: Allen Jones serves as TEXPERS' Director of Communications and Event Marketing. He brings more than two decades of experience in journalism and publication management and now guides the Association's strategic communications. [email protected]
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Editor’s Note: This article was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to support research and formatting. Final content decisions, including writing, editing, fact-checking, and publication, were completed by TEXPERS staff.