Accounting standards require governments to account for the costs of other post-employment benefits (OPEB) -- the largest of which is typically retiree health benefits -- when an employee earns the benefit. As state and local governments have historically not funded retiree health benefits when the benefits are earned, much of their OPEB liability may be unfunded. This report provides info. on governments' retiree health liabilities. It describes: (1) what has been reported in state and local governments' comprehensive annual financial reports regarding OPEB liabilities; (2) actions state and local governments have taken to address retiree health liabilities; and (3) the overall fiscal pressures these governments face. Charts and tables.

This volume, from the Pension Research Council of the Wharton School, highlights many of the special health insurance problems facing the elderly and some of the solutions that any reform process must consider.