Its result – enough to give anyone nightmares, never mind headaches – comes out nearly five times higher than states' own estimates of how underfunded they are.

The states say their funding level is at 72.5 percent nowadays, not outstanding but considerably better than SBS' 36 percent.

In any case, if you embrace the SBS way of looking at things, matters get even more alarming on a per-person basis. There are only eight states out of 50 that have less than a five-figure deficit — in other words, even in the best-funded state, which is, oddly enough, Tennessee, the pension liability amounts to $6,531 per person. Mind you, that's the best state.

Actuaries, headaches, calculations and nightmares aside, here's a look at the 10 states where public employees, according to SBS, are most apt to be joining Rover in begging for kibble, along with how much SBS says the deficit is per capita.

1. Illinois

According to SBS's calculations, Illinois is the worst-off state in the union by funded status, at a scant 22 percent. But as you go through the list, bear in mind that, as intimidating as it may look, Illinois's per-capita share of that funding liability — $25,740 — is actually lower than that of one other state.

2. Connecticut

Connecticut comes in second at being underfunded, being a tad more well-endowed than Illinois. Its per-capita share is also a shade less intimidating, at $24,080, making it fourth on the dollar-figure list. Not that that would make any retiree dependent on a state pension feel any better.

3. Kentucky

Kentucky comes in at a whole 24-percent funded — not even a whole quarter of its pension liabilities. But at $18,976 per person, that liability doesn't seem quite as bad as Illinois' or Connecticut's. In fact, it doesn't even make the top 10 dollar-wise in per-capita unfunded liability. It's No. 11.

4. Alaska

Oh, what can be said about poor Alaska? It may not be top on the list, with a funded level of 25 percent of its obligations, but there's one list it is at the top of — the per-capita portion of the unfunded amount. No one would want to be in the position of an Alaskan, whose individual share of the unfunded portion of the state's pension obligations amounts to a whopping $40,639.

5. Mississippi

Mississippi is 27-percent funded, according to SBS. It actually ranks 13th on the dollar figure of per-capita unfunded liability, at $18,722, which is certainly an improvement on Alaska. But that doesn't mean it's good news for the state's employees hoping for a pension someday. Unless, of course, everyone lives up to the state's nickname as the "hospitality state" and invites a pension-less state employee to move in with them.

6. Kansas

Kansas has managed to achieve a 28-percent funded status, tied with the next state on the list. But it's way down dollar-wise on the per-capita unfunded liability list, at No. 30, with each Kansan in the hole, figuratively speaking, for $12,762.

7. New Hampshire

New Hampshire tied Kansas percentage-wise, at 28 percent-funded. But somehow it's managed to do considerably better, dollar-wise, on the per-capita unfunded liability list. Each New Hampshire resident's share of the liability amounts to $12,026, putting them in 35th position on the dollar list. We're certainly not in Kansas anymore.

8. Hawaii

There's trouble in Paradise. Hawaii is only 29-percent funded, but it's hardly alone, tied as it is with the states in ninth and 10th position. Per capita, each Hawaiian's share of the unfunded liability amounts to $21,852.

9. Massachusetts

Massachusetts, also at 29-percent of funding, actually comes in 20th on the dollar-amount list. Each Mass resident is on the hook for $15,545 — less money than Hawaii, but certainly nothing to sneeze at.

10. North Dakota

North Dakota may be 10th on the list, but that's not really good news, since it's also at 29-percent of funding. Its consolation is that it's 33rd on the dollar-amount list, with each state resident's share of the unfunded liability at $12,192. In that light, perhaps it's appropriate that it's known as the Rough Rider State.