Connecticut had the highest pension payout for state and local government employees in 2006, with the average benefit per recipient at $28,344, for a total of $2.68 billion, according to an analysis of census data by the Empire Center for Public Policy. Colorado was second at $27,796 per public employee, and New Jersey, Rhode Island and Nevada rounded out the top five. West Virginia had the lowest payout among the 50 states, at $11,034. The national average in 2006 was $20,867.

California public employers made $26.3 billion in total pension benefit payments in 2006, the most of any state. New York was second at $18.7 billion; Illinois ranked third at $9.6 billion.

The center also analyzed employee contributions. New Hampshire employees contributed the most, 20.2%, of what the report called total receipts (employee and employer contributions plus investment earnings) of the funds. South Carolina employees followed at 19.4%. New Jersey, North Carolina and Arizona rounded out the top five. Oregon government employees contributed the least, at 0.5% of total receipts. The national average was 8.4%.

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