A N. Wildwood spouter who sees gov. pensions as a ponzi scheme is pretty short-sighted. The employee's contribution, plus the state's contribution, which is, of course, what is missing most of the time, invested at 3 percent nets about $500,000. For the pensioner to reap the $1.5 million the spouter mentions, the pensioner would need to collect $50,000 a year for a whole 25 years. Actuary tables show that most pensioners would never live 25 years, it is really quite reasonable. Also, the ponzi scheme implies the taxpayer has a direct investment, which is not what happens.