One need only look at the current underfunding of public pension plans in California to see how this plays out. Sara Albrecht makes some great points about how the American Federation of Teachers appears to be choosing to value political pressure over the financial interests of its members ("AFT Target Funds Teachers’ Retirement" op-ed, Aug 20). But since most teacher retirement plans are defined benefit plans, the bottom line is that when the plan assets fail to deliver promised returns, the taxpayers will be on the hook for the additional costs to fund the benefits that have been promised to the teachers.

One need only look at the current underfunding of public pension plans in California to see how this plays out. Paul Luce Pleasanton, Calif.