A federal judge has ended the 40-year-old consent decree over the Central States Pension Fund. The decision follows the recommendation of the court-appointed Independent Special Counsel. No changes are expected in the operation of the pension fund.

It’s a rags-to-riches story: the Central States Pension Fund went from 14.5% funded and in critical and declining status to 97.5% funded and in healthy condition.

Grassroots organizing to save workers’ pensions is literally paying off. The Road Carriers Local 707 Pension Plan received $725.6 million from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) on February 17, and will start repaying retirees right away to restore their cut pensions.