The pensions are enabled by a 1945 law that ensures higher payouts for those who have worked for at least 20 years or whose positions are eliminated. The law was originally intended to protect workers, but now it seems to be costing taxpayers and benefiting already-wealthy middle managers who are working new jobs while receiving pensions from the state.

We're not economists, but we think that paying inflated salaries and pensions might not be the best idea when you're already in massive debt. If the state had the profits of Fidelity, that'd be one thing, but it needs to bring in more money, not spend more. We hope the state reworks its payment plans to best benefit workers without wasting millions paying unnecessary pensions or too-high salaries.