Recent studies reveal that public pension benefits have positive effects on local and state economies. In 2008, state and local government retirement systems in the U.S. distributed over $90 billion more in benefits than they received in taxpayer-funded contributions. Personal income from state and local government pensions exceeds the personal income derived from the nation's farming, fishing, logging, and hotel/lodging industries combined. The expenditure of public pension benefits results in an economic impact that reaches every city and town of every state. The resources listed below illustrate this economic phenomenon.