Pensions: as funny as you think

• Published May 13, 2008

The staff for the Select Committee on Pension Policy did a bit of surveying to find out what the lawmakers and others on the board want – more summary boxes, less jargon – and even included feedback given on the individual staff members themselves.

For instance, senior analyst Dave Nelsen put up a slide showing that members found him personally "Too handsome."

For reasons unknown, the committee burst into laughter. But that was all part of Nelsen’s research, which included a bullet point for "humor."

"This is surprising, but some of you thought our presentations could be a bit dry," he said. "In case you didn’t notice, that was an attempt at humor. One of the dangers, when you talk to pension nerds."

After Nelsen’s talk about enhanced presentations, more educational outreach and plain talk, committee member Charles E. Cuzzetto piped up.

"I really appreciate the pension nerds, because accountants like myself look like stand-up comedians next to you," he said.

"Wow. Thank you," Nelsen said.

So what I’m saying here is, I need an aspirin.

SIDENOTE: The Olympian changed it’s webpage today, and the blog along with it. I’ll see if the new look requires new posting style. But if you’re looking for this blog from the homepage, scroll over “Government” on the subject bar under “The Olympian” masthead, and click Adam Wilson. That’s me.