While standardized test scores of Massachusetts students are still mostly below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, one education statistic that keeps rising is the cost to the state of funding teachers’ pensions.

In a new report on pension costs across six populous states including Massachusetts, we found that in the Bay State, 14 cents of every tax dollar dedicated to associated education spending went to pensions in 2022. That’s up from 9 cents in 2015 and far above the 8 cents forked over by taxpayers in our runner-up state, California.

Despite this increase in resources, the financial strength of the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System hasn’t improved. Over this period, the percentage of assets the fund has relative to the value of its pension commitments remained consistently low, increasing from just below 57 percent to just below 58 percent.

Yes that’s right, MTRS has less than 58 cents saved for every dollar it owes, even under its assumption of a 7.15 percent return on investments every year. To put that in perspective, MTRS would consider a $100,000 payment due in 10 years as “fully funded” if it had just over $50,000 in its account today. And yet, this eye-popping increase in cash has barely kept MTRS treading water. This means that without policy reforms, Bay State taxpayers will probably pay an increasingly hefty bill.

While the MTRS funding ratio and contribution increases are worse than its peers, these trends reflect a nationwide problem. Public pensions when properly measured are underfunded to the tune of $5.12 trillion, and the cost burden on state and local governments is increasing.

To understand how the contribution increases impact education, consider that Massachusetts’ current education budget for fiscal 2024 is $7.95 billion. The fact that pension contributions have increased by 5 percentage points translates into $398 million per year of additional money going into the fund than if the share had remained at its 2015 level.

This means that the state has $398 million fewer dollars per year to dedicate to important expenditures such as salaries for new teachers, classroom resources, or support services such as counselors, technicians, or librarians.

State revenues generally rise of course, as they have in recent years, giving the state more money at its disposal to offset these increases. For example, while pension contributions per pupil in Massachusetts have risen by 109 percent since 2015, revenues per pupil have increased by 21 percent, softening the blow.

Yet this pace of revenue growth is not guaranteed. While Massachusetts fiscal 2025 budget foresees a $2 billion or roughly 3.5 percent spending increase, the incremental revenues are coming mostly from the significant Fair Share tax increase. Money to fund education, pensions, and other public priorities does not grow on trees. It comes out of taxpayers’ pockets.

Massachusetts officials could address the pension challenge through one key policy change: moving new employees from traditional defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans similar to 401(k)s.

Current teachers typically receive pensions based on a formula that uses a series of inputs including employees’ salaries, the ages of the employees, and the number of years of employees’ service. If an employee leaves their job, pension benefits are reduced or lost.

401(k)-type plans conversely require the state to contribute a flat percent of pay to a tax-deferred account as long as the employee is working in the job. Employees who leave the job can take their full accumulated retirement savings with them, and the state avoids the creation of more long-term obligations.

The mobility of 401(k)-type plans could attract more young people to the teaching profession, since they often prioritize flexibility early in their careers. While public sector defined benefit plans tend to be more generous than private sector 401(k) plans, that difference can be reduced by offering higher employer contributions. This setup would vastly improve the state’s finances while ensuring that retirement contributions do not continue to consume ever-increasing shares of education budgets.

Ultimately the burden of pension contributions will threaten the Commonwealth’s ability to remain a national leader in education. It would serve the state and its valued teachers well to move to a more sustainable model for retirement benefits before it’s too late.

Joshua Rauh is a professor of finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. Gregory Kearney is a senior research analyst at the Hoover Institution.

Who is the most popular NFL player in Massachusetts? Hint: It’s not a New England Patriot.

According to a new study from FlashPicks, a sports betting website, the most popular NFL player in Massachusetts — as well as in an astonishing 48 other states — is Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

FlashPicks’ study is based on analyzing Google search data in all 50 states this year. It found that Kelce receives a whopping 4.75 million average monthly searches — 3 million more than any other NFL player (his teammate, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, is second with 1.68 million monthly searches).

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While the 35-year-old Kelce has been a very fine player for a long time — he’s a four-time All-Pro — there’s another obvious reason why he’s so popular in search: his yearlong-plus relationship with mega-pop star Taylor Swift. So his personal life has clearly had a positive impact on his commerciality, FlashPicks’ research shows.

There’s only one state in which Kelce is not first in search

The only state in which Kelce is not the undisputed top the No. 1 searched player? Minnesota, whose fans are apparently still brooding over the loss of longtime quarterback Kirk Cousins (110,000 monthly searches), who left the Vikings this past offseason via free agency for the Atlanta Falcons. In neighboring Wisconsin, Kelce is tied for the top spot with former Green Bay Packers (and current New York Jets) quarterback Aaron Rodgers (90,500 monthly searches).

In Massachusetts, Kelce receives 135,000 searches per month, more than double anyone else, according to FlashPicks. Second place is also not a New England Patriot — at least not anymore. It’s former quarterback Mac Jones, who was traded by the Patriots to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year and who gets 60,500 searches every month. 

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Rodgers is tied for third with Mahomes, as each receives an average of 40,500 searches per month in Massachusetts. Finally, in fifth place, is current Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who is searched for 33,100 times every month in Massachusetts.

The rest of the top 10 for Massachusetts searches: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (sixth, 27,100 monthly searches); 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (tie for seventh, 22,200 searches); and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Los Angeles Rams quarterback (and former Patriot) Jimmy Garoppolo and Buffalo Bills quarrterback Josh Allen (tie for 10th, 18,100 monthly searches).

Massachusetts’s history has allowed it to develop into one of the most culturally rich states in the country. Home to century-old art communities, glass-blowing galleries, and live outdoor museums, the state’s small towns contain a fascinating mixture of attractions. Looking to plan a vacation that will shake things up? Check out these six towns with personalities that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Sandwich

Sometimes referred to as “The Town that Glass Built,” the small town of Sandwich went through a major transformation in the early 19th century when Deming Jarves established a bustling glass factory in town, which grew to be one of the most important parts of Sandwich’s economy. Although the glass factory later closed in the 1880s, glass still holds a cultural significance in Sandwich, which visitors can experience at the Sandwich Glass Museum, which exhibits original pieces from the 19th century and traditional glass-blowing techniques. A number of glass blowers and glass artists lie around town as well for those wanting a souvenir.

Located along a coastal marsh, visitors have plenty of outdoor recreational activities, such as kayaking through the salt marshes or hiking to the top of the Maple Swamp ridge. Visitors can also appreciate the coastal views by strolling along the historic and wooden Sandwich Boardwalk, which stretches out into the bay.

Provincetown

Provincetown is the oldest continuous art colony in the United States, having welcomed artists, playwrights, writers, and poets for more than a hundred years into its community. As a result, art museums and art galleries are abundant throughout town. Visitors must check out Provincetown’s East End and Commerical Street districts, both of which have high concentrations of art galleries to explore. The Provincetown Art Association and Museum is another creative space to check out, operating for more than 100 years and showcasing both local and regional art. To see more contemporary art, The Provincetown Fine Arts Works Center focuses on the work of emerging artists and writers.

Visitors wanting to head to the beach have several options in Provincetown. Lying along Cape Cod National Seashore Park, travelers can appreciate pristine, wild beaches, such as Race Point Beach and Herring Cove. Those wanting a bird’s eye view of the town can climb up The Race Point Lighthouse, a historic lighthouse dating back more than 200 years.

Williamstown

Williamstown, a town with a population of a little over 7,000, has worked in recent years to develop a lively cultural district. Images Cinema, Greylock Gallery, and The Spring Street Market and Café are just a few of the businesses and institutions located in this cultural district that will allow visitors to appreciate its cozy arts scene. Williamstown’s “Eyes on Art Town” initiative supports local artists by showcasing their work on banners displayed along streetlight posts. Those interested in theater and plays can visit during the town’s annual Williamstown Theater Festival, which takes place in July and August each year and encourages the work of emerging and professional theater artists.

In the winter months, travelers can enjoy snowshoeing along some of Williamtown’s nearby trails, such as Torrey Woods Road Trailhead, Berlin Pass Trailhead, and the Rockwell Road Appalachian Trail Trailhead.

Rockport

Rockport is popular among outdoor enthusiasts, populated by old lighthouses and sandy beaches. There are three lighthouses to explore in the area: The Straightsmouth Lighthouse and the Thatcher Island Twin Lighthouses. The Thacher Island Twin Lighthouses are a historic landmark, with the original towers constructed in 1771, making them some of the oldest lighthouses in the country. The present brick structure of the Straightsmouth Lighthouse is historic as well, dating back to 1896 and towering 37 feet. Some of the town’s best beaches include Pebble Beach, Front Beach, and Back Beach.

December is packed with holiday activities in Rockport. On December 7th, Santa arrives by boat, followed by a tree-lighting ceremony. The month continues with a Christmas pageant, caroling, a last-minute stocking stuffer shopping event, and a Menorah lighting on December 26th.

Sturbridge

Sturbridge, in southern Massachusetts, is home to New England’s largest outdoor museum. Old Sturbridge Village spans 20 acres and features over 400 historic buildings. Visitors can step into 19th-century rural New England by chatting with live actors portraying trades such as blacksmithing, printing, pottery, and cabinetmaking or visit farms with pigs, cattle, chickens, and sheep. To see more of New England farm life, travelers can stop by Hyland Orchard, a 150-acre farm open each fall for apple picking at fall-themed activities.

Travelers wanting to get some exercise can try out axe throwing at Into The Grain Axe Throwing or pick up a bow and arrow at Bay Path Archers Inc. For more traditional recreational activities, consider a hike at Opacum Woods and Trails and Grand Trunk Trail.

Falmouth

For a festive coastal holiday escape, Falmouth transforms into a seasonal haven after Thanksgiving. Highlights include the Nobska Lighthouse Holiday Open House, Caroling in Woods Hole Village, and the appearance of Seafaring Santa in Falmouth Harbor. This year, the town will also host its 61st Annual Falmouth Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade on December 8th.

To take advantage of the town’s position along the water, visitors can relax by embarking on a Cape Cod Canal Cruise, where they can sightsee and learn about the canal’s history. Those who prefer to be more active can book a kayak tour with Great Marsh Kayak Tours, who will take travelers down the Parkers River and Nauset Marsh. For fresh seafood or premium steak, head to Water Street Kitchen, located near the coastline and known for its dishes crafted with high-quality ingredients.

Final Thoughts

Although Massachusetts is well-known for its history, its vibrant, modern culture stands proudly on its own. From holiday events to theater festivals, these towns celebrate their communities and art scenes through one-of-a-kind events. Surrounded by a wide range of natural attractions, these destinations are also perfect for anyone eager to explore the great outdoors. Whatever your ideal vacation calls for, count on one of these towns to make it a memorable one.