Raheem Williams
Policy Analyst, Reason Foundation
Raheem Williams has contributed to the Pension Integrity Project's research.
At Reason, Williams has contributed to in-depth analysis of the Florida FRS, North Carolina TSERS, and North Dakota PERS pension systems. Williams also co-authored a study of defined contribution plans as part of Reason’s ongoing Gold Standard In Public Retirement System Design series. He has presented testimony before the North Dakota House of Representatives Government Veterans Affairs Committee on House Bill 1209 and Senate Bill 2046.
Williams’ work has appeared in The Orlando Sentinel, Carolina Journal, The Grand Forks Herald, South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Florida Times-Union, and Townhall Finance.
His work has been published by The Foundation for Economic Education and The John Locke Foundation.
Previously, Williams worked as an economic research specialist with The Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise at North Dakota State University.
He completed his undergraduate degree in economics at Florida International University in Miami, FL, and his Master’s in Financial Economics at the University of Detroit Mercy.
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The Future of North Dakota Pension Reform
North Dakota should adopt pension reform that reduces long-term risk for taxpayers and maintains attractive retirement options for state workers
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The Florida Retirement System Is Still in Need of Reform
This analysis considers how policymakers can address the Florida Retirement System's $36 billion debt, control rising pension costs and provide a secure retirement for public employees.
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Hollywood, Florida’s Pension Debt Problem
Hollywood, Florida has over $1 billion in public pension and retiree health care debt.
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North Dakota Should Prioritize Paying Down Pension Debt
To pay off current and future NDPERS debt a switch to a defined contribution plan should be paired with implementing a viable funding strategy.
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Florida’s $36 Billion Problem
Florida's growing pension debt is particularly bad news for other state spending areas like education and transportation.
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Pension Funds Should Reject Politically Motivated Divestiture
Divestiture policies based on political interests extend beyond the role of public pension fund managers and are very unlikely to accomplish the intended outcome.
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For Two Decades, North Dakota Has Failed to Properly Fund Its Public Pensions
NDPERS' funded ratio was only 72 percent, with $1.2 billion in pension debt, in July 2019.
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Instead of Boasting, Florida Should Be Bracing for Bad Pension News and More Debt
If FRS’ investment returns come in at -5 percent for this fiscal year, FRS' unfunded liabilities could grow to $47 billion.
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Massachusetts’ Legislature Should Help Gov. Baker Make Good on Pension Promises
Gov. Baker is right to push for public pension contribution increases in his budget, but elected officials in Massachusetts need to understand that this should be just the start of pension reforms.