AlaskaSome Alaska public workers could switch pension plans
The failed proposal would let some Alaska teachers and public employees switch pension plans, with public employee choices depending on employer participation.
What it does
Some teachers and public employees could move to a pension plan, using transferred contributions to buy service credit. Public employees could make this choice only if their employer offers the plan.
Some former teachers and public employees returning to eligible jobs after July 1, 2027, could choose a pension plan, subject to rules about their retirement account.
Qualifying retired teachers and public employees could elect medical coverage and use a health account to help pay premiums. Eligibility depends on service and retirement rules, and members would pay some or all of the premium.
Argument forSome workers might use retirement savings to buy pension service credit, which could count earlier work toward their pension.
Argument againstA worker might make an irreversible choice without knowing how much service credit transferred savings would buy, and public employees could lose the option if their employer opts out.
More detail
Some teachers and public employees could choose to join a defined benefit pension plan. This option covers qualifying teachers and public employees still employed in their defined contribution plan on July 1, 2027. A public employee's employer must offer the defined benefit plan. The teacher or employee must have joined the defined contribution plan after June 30, 2006, and before July 1, 2027, and be employed in that plan on July 1, 2027. Transferred contributions would be used to buy service credit at a value set by actuarial calculations. A public employee cannot make this choice if the employer opts out of offering the pension plan. Eligible workers would have to make this one-time choice before January 1, 2028. Employers could opt out from January 1 through June 30, 2027.
Some reemployed teachers and public employees could choose to join a defined benefit pension plan. A teacher must return to an employer after July 1, 2027. A public employee must return to an employer that offers defined benefit pensions to qualifying workers. The worker must have joined a defined contribution plan after June 30, 2006, and before July 1, 2027, left employment by July 1, 2027, and later returned to an eligible employer. Before returning, the worker must not have taken out the entire account balance, unless the worker rolled it over and makes a qualifying direct rollover within 180 days after returning. A married worker needs a spouse's signature. The worker would have to make the one-time choice within 180 days after returning to work.
Some retired teachers and public employees could elect retiree medical coverage. The provisions cover qualifying teachers and public employees who joined their retirement system after June 30, 2006, and eligible surviving spouses and dependents. Eligibility depends on service: teachers need 25 years, or Medicare age and 10 years; peace officers and firefighters need 20 years, other employees need 25 years, or Medicare age and 10 years. People not eligible for Medicare would pay the full monthly insurance premium. Eligible Medicare recipients would pay a share based on service years. Coverage requires an election and premium payments; rates may change. Coverage would start the first day of the month after the administrator approves the election. It would end if the person dies or fails to pay a required premium.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 19(S) JOINT SESSION at 01:00 PM HOUSE CHAMBERLatest
- Vote recorded (H) GOVERNOR VETO SUSTAINED Y33 N27 #2911. Result: pass.Lower
- May 19(H) JOINT SESSION at 01:00 PM HOUSE CHAMBER
- May 19(H) GOVERNOR VETO SUSTAINED Y33 N27
- May 19(H) CALL FOR THE QUESTION WITHDRAWN
- May 19(H) VETOED BY Governor Mike Dunleavy 5/18/26Major
- Apr 30(H) MANIFEST ERROR(S)
- Apr 30(H) 4:30 P.M. 4/30/26 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 29(H) ENGROSSED
- Vote recorded (H) SUSTAINED RULING OF CHAIR Y19 N19 A2 #2325. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) FAILED Y21 N19 #2326. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y21 N19 #2326. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 29(H) VERSION: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) AM S(EFD FLD H)
- Apr 29(H) ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION
- Apr 29(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) FAILED Y21 N19Major
- Apr 29(H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y21 N19
- Apr 29(H) SUSTAINED RULING OF CHAIR Y19 N19 A2
- Apr 29(H) TECHNICAL TITLE CHANGE
- Apr 29(H) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP
- Apr 28(S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) AM S
- Vote recorded (S) PASSED Y12 N8 #2400. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) RESCIND ACTION AM 4 FAILED Y10 N10 #2394. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) PASSED ON RECONSIDERATION Y12 N8 #2402. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) RECON SAME DAY VOTE Y15 N5 - IN 3RD RDG #2401. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) ADOPTED Y20 N- #2402. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) ADOPTED Y20 N- #2401. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) AM NO 8 ADOPTED Y11 N9 # 2397. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) AM NO 4 FAILED Y10 N10 # 2394. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) AM NO 5 ADOPTED Y11 N9 # 2396. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded (S) AM NO 2 ADOPTED Y11 N9 # 2393. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 28(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDEDMajor
- Apr 28(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) ADOPTED Y20 N-
- Apr 28(S) PASSED ON RECONSIDERATION Y12 N8Major
- Apr 28(S) RECON SAME DAY VOTE Y15 N5 - IN 3RD RDG
- Apr 28(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) ADOPTED Y20 N-
- Apr 28(S) PASSED Y12 N8Major
- Apr 28(S) AUTOMATICALLY IN THIRD READINGMinor
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 10 ADOPTED UCMajor
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 9 NOT OFFERED
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 8 ADOPTED Y11 N9Major
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 7 ADOPTED UCMajor
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 6 NOT OFFERED
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 5 ADOPTED Y11 N9Major
- Apr 28(S) RESCIND ACTION AM 4 FAILED Y10 N10Major
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 4 FAILED Y10 N10Minor
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 3 ADOPTED UCMajor
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 2 ADOPTED Y11 N9Major
- Apr 28(S) AM NO 1 ADOPTED UCMajor
- Apr 28(S) RETURN TO SECOND FOR AMS UC
- Apr 28(S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 78(FIN)Minor
- Apr 27(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 4/28 CALMinor
- Apr 27(S) FIN SCS ADOPTED UC
- Apr 27(S) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- Apr 27(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 4/27/2026
- Apr 27(S) FN3: (ADM)
- Apr 27(S) AM: MERRICK
- Apr 27(S) NR: HOFFMAN
- Apr 27(S) DNP: STEDMAN, KAUFMAN, CRONK
- Apr 27(S) DP: OLSON, KIEHL
- Apr 27(S) FIN RPT SCS 2DP 3DNP 1NR 1AM TECHNICAL TITLE CHANGE
- Apr 24(S) Moved SCS CSHB 78(FIN) Out of Committee
- Apr 24(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Apr 16(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- Apr 16(S) Heard & Held
- Apr 16(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Apr 9(S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
- Apr 9(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Mar 26(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- Mar 26(S) Heard & Held
- Mar 26(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Mar 12(S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
- Mar 12(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Mar 11(S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
- Mar 11(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Mar 11(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- Mar 11(S) Heard & Held -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
- Mar 11(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Mar 9(S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
- Mar 9(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Mar 2(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- Mar 2(S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
- Mar 2(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Feb 9(S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
- Feb 9(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Feb 2(S) FN3: (ADM)
- Feb 2(S) AM: YUNDT
- Feb 2(S) DP: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON
- Feb 2(S) L&C RPT SCS 3DP 1AM TECHNICAL TITLE CHANGE
- Jan 30(S) Minutes (SL&C)
- Jan 30(S) Moved SCS CSHB 78(L&C) Out of Committee
- Jan 30(S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
- Jan 28(S) Minutes (SL&C)
- Jan 28(S) Heard & Held
- Jan 28(S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
- Jan 26(S) Minutes (SL&C)
- Jan 26(S) Heard & Held
- Jan 26(S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
- Jan 23(S) Minutes (SL&C)
- Jan 23(S) Heard & Held
- Jan 23(S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
- May 19(S) JOINT SESSION at 01:00 PM HOUSE CHAMBERLatest
- 2025
- May 13(S) L&C, FIN
- May 13(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSMinor
- May 12(H) VERSION: CSHB 78(FIN) AM(EFD FLD)
- Vote recorded (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) FAILED Y21 N19 #1154. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded (H) PASSED Y21 N19 #1154. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded (H) SUSTAINED RULING OF CHAIR Y21 N19 #1153. Result: pass.Lower
- May 12(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)Passed Senate
- May 12(H) ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION
- May 12(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) FAILED Y21 N19Major
- May 12(H) PASSED Y21 N19Passed House
- May 12(H) SUSTAINED RULING OF CHAIR Y21 N19
- May 12(H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 78(FIN) AMMinor
- May 10(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/12 CALENDARMinor
- Vote recorded (H) AM NO 3 FAILED Y16 N22 E2 # 1098. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded (H) AM NO 12 FAILED Y17 N21 E2 # 1111. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded (H) AM NO 9 FAILED Y17 N21 E2 # 1104. Result: fail.Lower
- May 10(H) AM NO 15 FAILED Y15 N23 E2Minor
- May 10(H) AM NO 14 AS AMD ADOPTED UCMajor
- May 10(H) AM 1 TO AM 14 ADOPTED UC
- May 10(H) AM NO 14 OFFERED
- May 10(H) AM NO 13 NOT OFFERED
- May 10(H) AM NO 12 FAILED Y17 N21 E2Minor
- May 10(H) AM NO 11 FAILED Y16 N22 E2Minor
- May 10(H) AM NO 10 OFFERED AND WITHDRAWN
- May 10(H) AM NO 9 FAILED Y17 N21 E2Minor
- May 10(H) AM NO 8 NOT OFFERED
- May 10(H) AM NO 7 OFFERED AND WITHDRAWN
- May 10(H) AM NO 6 FAILED Y17 N21 E2Minor
- May 10(H) AM NO 5 FAILED Y13 N25 E2Minor
- May 10(H) AM NO 4 FAILED Y16 N22 E2Minor
- May 10(H) AM NO 3 FAILED Y16 N22 E2Minor
- May 10(H) AM NO 2 AS AMD ADOPTED Y21 N17 E2Major
- May 10(H) AM 1 TO AM 2 ADOPTED UC
- May 10(H) DIVIDE THE AMENDMENT FAILED Y15 N23 E2Major
- May 10(H) AM NO 2 OFFERED
- May 10(H) AM NO 1 FAILED Y17 N21 E2Minor
- May 10(H) FIN CS ADOPTED UC
- May 10(H) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- May 10(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/10/2025
- May 9(H) FN2: (ADM/VARIOUS DEPTS)
- May 9(H) FN1: (ADM)
- May 9(H) AM: BYNUM, STAPP
- May 9(H) DNP: JOHNSON, ALLARD, TOMASZEWSKI
- May 9(H) DP: HANNAN, GALVIN, JIMMIE, FOSTER, JOSEPHSON, SCHRAGE
- May 9(H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) NEW TITLE 6DP 3DNP 2AM
- May 7(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- May 7(H) Moved CSHB 78(FIN) Out of Committee
- May 7(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Apr 30(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Apr 30(H) Heard & Held -- Recessed to 20 min, after adjournment --
- Apr 30(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Apr 29(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Apr 29(H) Heard & Held
- Apr 29(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Apr 4(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Apr 4(H) Heard & Held
- Apr 4(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Apr 3(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Apr 3(H) Heard & Held
- Apr 3(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Apr 2(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Apr 2(H) Heard & Held
- Apr 2(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Feb 27(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Feb 27(H) Heard & Held
- Feb 27(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Feb 18(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Feb 18(H) Heard & Held
- Feb 18(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Feb 11(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Feb 11(H) Heard & Held
- Feb 11(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Feb 10(H) Minutes (HFIN)
- Feb 10(H) Heard & Held -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
- Feb 10(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
- Jan 31(H) FIN
- Jan 31(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSIntroduced
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