> part of a person's paycheck goes into a fund that is supposed to support their pension. Yes. In Illinois, that portion is supposed to cover on the order of 1

> part of a person's paycheck goes into a fund that is supposed to support their pension. Yes. In Illinois, that portion is supposed to cover on the order of 10% of their pension, and taxes are (presumably) supposed to cover the other 90%. This figure is including market returns from initial contributions. Bad mishandling may have made the situation worse, but, even if it had been handled perfectly, it still would have been unworkable.