Lots of things don't have to be provided by government - Law enforcement Fire protection for instance aren't mandated...
Here's the wording in the constitution:
Defined-benefit pensions in government plans are protected by Article 9, Sec. 24, of the Michigan Constitution, which states, “The accrued financial benefits of each pension plan and retirement system of the state and its political subdivisions shall be a contractual obligation thereof which shall not be diminished
but as we see people no longer believe the words "SHALL NOT" mean what they do -
Shall not be infringed is a great example!
Well it could be argued that taxing pension pay outs does diminish the amount the state pensioner receives. But are we talking gross or net?
Net obviously being after taxes. Yet when they put in that the pension
"cannot diminished clause" there was no state income tax on state pensions.
Was this addressed in this article of the constitution? I can only surmise
that since the tax isn't tied up in the courts it's legal.
But then there's this for me. Why do state government workers even get a constitutional guarantee on the gross pay out? I'm sure the Central States
Teamster pensioners, who will be lucky to get 50% of the gross they were promised, would trade places.