Retirement is Expensive
Everyone dreams of the day they can clock out for the last time and enjoy a retirement filled with rest, freedom, and maybe even golden sands. But for most Americans, retirement is far from lavish. While some may enjoy the…
The Defined Benefit
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NPPC State Legislative Update 
NPPC State Legislative Update
Alaska Close observers of the United States public pensions landscape know that Alaska is the only state without a defined-benefit (DB) pension plan that guarantees a secure retirement for firefighters, law enforcement, and educators. To make matters worse, Alaska public…
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Alaska’s Road to Retirement Security: The Rise and Fall of HB 78 
Alaska’s Road to Retirement Security: The Rise and Fall of HB 78
After Historic Progress, Alaska’s HB 78 Fight Is Not Over For the first time since Alaska closed its defined benefit pension system nearly two decades ago, a bill to restore pensions for public employees cleared both chambers of the Legislature…
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Why Market Volatility Makes Pensions More Important 
Why Market Volatility Makes Pensions More Important
When markets are calm, it can be easy to forget how fragile retirement security has become for millions of Americans. But in periods of economic uncertainty, the weaknesses of a retirement system that depends heavily on individual savings accounts become…
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Oklahoma Public Employees Defended Retirement Security—And WON! 
Oklahoma Public Employees Defended Retirement Security—And WON!
This legislative session, Oklahoma public employees and retirees faced a familiar threat: proposals to skip or redirect payments intended for the Teachers’ Retirement System and other public retirement systems to fund unrelated priorities. They had seen this playbook before and…
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Modernization or Monetization: 2026 Pension Opposition Watch 
Modernization or Monetization: 2026 Pension Opposition Watch
Public pension systems in the United States provide secure, stable retirement benefits for public servants who spend their careers serving us as teachers, firefighters, first responders, and social workers. Defined benefit pensions are the bedrock foundation of public service, as…
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The Hidden Struggle: Challenges Women Face in Saving for Retirement 
The Hidden Struggle: Challenges Women Face in Saving for Retirement
Did you know that women, on average, accumulate only 75% of what men save for retirement? That statistic alone tells a story—but it doesn’t tell the whole story. The challenges women face in saving for retirement aren’t the result of…
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Public Pensions Legislative Update: Debates Intensify at Mid-Session 
Public Pensions Legislative Update: Debates Intensify at Mid-Session
Across the country, state legislatures are approaching the midpoint of their sessions, and public pensions are once again at the center of budget debates and workforce policy fights. In several states, including Colorado, Washington, and Oklahoma, lawmakers have proposed redirecting…
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Women Who Paved the Way in Public Service 
Women Who Paved the Way in Public Service
In honor of Women’s History Month, we at NPPC want to spotlight several remarkable women who made significant contributions to the public sector, broke barriers, and inspired future generations. These four trailblazers dedicated their lives to serving others—educating students, improving…
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A Valentine to Public Employees: With Love and Gratitude A Valentine to Public Employees: With Love and Gratitude
Valentine’s Day is often framed as a celebration of romantic love—but at its core, it’s about appreciation. It’s about pausing long enough to say thank you to the people who show up, who care deeply, and who make our lives…
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Why Public Pensions Are a Civil Rights Issue 
Why Public Pensions Are a Civil Rights Issue
Black History Month is a time to reflect not only on the struggle for voting rights, desegregation, and political representation, but also on the enduring fight for economic dignity and security. One often overlooked part of that history—and that struggle—is…
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 2026: What We’re Watching for in State Legislative Sessions 
 2026: What We’re Watching for in State Legislative Sessions
As Americans navigate a tumultuous political, economic, and social landscape, NPPC continues to advocate for dignified, secure retirement plans for public servants from coast to coast–because the promise of guaranteed lifetime income following a career of service is one aspect…
