Alaska Lawmakers Revive Pensions for Public Workers

Alaska lawmakers just wrapped up years of work by passing a bill to bring back guaranteed

pensions for teachers, public safety folks, and other state workers.

The House voted 21 to 19 along party lines to OK Senate tweaks, sending it straight

to Governor Mike Dunlevy's desk.

He hasn't tipped his hand yet on signing in.

This move reverses a switch from 2006 when the state ditched defined benefit plans over

a massive unfunded liability from bad actuarial.

They swapped it for a 401k style setup, but that left many employees short on retirement

cash and hesitant to stick around long term. Supporters are pumped, saying it's key to fixing

recruitment headaches, like high teacher turnover, and shortages in policing or fairies.

Critics, mostly House Republicans, call it a financial gamble that won't truly solve

staffing woes and laxen of vetting. The new plan kicks in next year with built-in guards,

slimmer health perks, higher employee contributions have needed, and choices to stay in the.

Current system or let local governments opt out. It'll cost the state tens of millions yearly,

but backers argue it'll save big on overtime and constant retraining.

Now it all hinges on the governor, a former teacher with his own pension, who once questioned

if young workers even want these plans. Lawmakers are crossing fingers for that signature.

Betting its stabilizes Alaska's public workforce for good.

Local news, powered by AI. This is Anchorage News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.