Last October we estimated that unfunded costs for state and local government health care plans were about $1.4 trillion nationwide. That is the amount that taxpayers will be hit unless governments cut excessive benefits for teachers, firemen, and other workers.

Some new estimates have been released since our report, and it appears that we were conservative.

• Credit Suisse has put nationwide unfunded costs at $1.5 trillion.
• We estimated New Jersey at $20 billion, but the NYT reports today that unfunded costs for the state are now estimated to be $58 billion.
• San Francisco has reported a $4.9 billion cost, Los Angeles County $16 billion, and the LA School District $10 billion
• In December, Pennsylvania reported a $34 billion cost, which is one of the highest figures we’ve seen for the states.