Study: Public-Sector Benefits Better Than Private

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- A new study says California's state and local government workers make similar salaries to their private-sector counterparts but get significantly higher retirement benefits, while teachers make far less after retirement than other public employees.

   The conclusions were part of a report Thursday by consultants for the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility, a nonprofit involved in research on pension reform. The group shares advisers with an organization preparing a statewide ballot initiative that seeks to force changes in government pensions.

   The study found taxpayers spend roughly three times what large private employers spend per employee for pensions and retiree health benefits. The gap is far smaller for teachers, and costs are lower for public workers who do not spend their entire career in government.

   Labor-related groups called the study politically motivated.

   (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)