Miners' retirement funds at risk

Retirement and health-care funds run by the United Mine Workers of America currently support about 120,000 former miners and their families nationwide, but account balances have dwindled amid continued layoffs and bankruptcy filings as the coal industry struggles against competition from cheaper natural gas and tightening environmental regulations. Without intervention, some of the funds could run out of cash by next year, the union says.

The following are pension beneficiaries for selected states:

West Virginia 27,391

Pennsylvania 12,951

Kentucky 9,511

Illinois 8,807

Va. 7,507

Ala. 6,075

Ohio 5,810

Ind. 2,848

Source: United Mine Workers of America