NPPC Highlight
Earlier this week on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we reflected on Dr. King’s vision of dignity, labor, and economic security.
Dr. King understood that poverty and instability erode human dignity—and that people who spend their lives working and serving their communities deserve stability, not uncertainty, in the years that follow.
That belief still matters today, especially when it comes to the retirement security of public workers.
Budget Battles, Teacher Shortages, and Retirement Security Collide
Alaska’s legislative session opened with renewed fiscal tension, as lawmakers weigh new revenue options to stabilize state finances and protect public services—including public employee retirement systems. Lawmakers are preparing for a possible override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a bill taxing out-of-state online corporations, a move supporters say would raise revenue without burdening Alaska businesses.
“This is a litmus test for where we’re going to go with the fiscal plan,” House Speaker Bryce Edgmon said. Sen. Bill Wielechowski warned that without new revenue, lawmakers are often left cutting elsewhere, noting that budget gaps have historically been filled by shrinking the Permanent Fund dividend.
At the same time, Alaska’s education workforce is under severe strain. Two school districts filed a lawsuit alleging the state has failed its constitutional obligation to adequately fund public education after years of flat funding, staffing cuts, and deteriorating facilities. District leaders argue recent funding increases were “woefully insufficient to keep pace with inflation,” further undermining recruitment and retention.
Those pressures are fueling the worst teacher shortage in state history. More than 600 teaching positions remain vacant, with turnover rates reaching up to 30% in rural districts. “We’re in a crisis in Alaska that Alaska has never seen before,” said Lisa Parady of the Alaska Council of School Administrators. In response, a nonprofit has launched a recruitment campaign to attract teachers from the Lower 48—even after the governor vetoed nearly $490,000 in funding for teacher retention efforts.
Ohio’s Public Safety Pension Advocate Calls for Protection Over Reform
In Ohio, discussions around pension reform are being shaped by leaders within the public safety community who emphasize the vital role defined benefit pensions play in sustaining fire and police recruitment and long-term retention.
Mary Beth Foley, executive director of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund, described her work not as a political mission but as a deeply personal one born of decades of service in public safety–a message that resonates with many first responders who see secure retirement benefits as central to workforce stability in dangerous, high-stress professions.
In 2012, the Ohio legislature addressed funding issues in the OP&F pension system by increasing retirement age requirements, raising employee contributions, and limiting cost-of-living increases. Employer contribution rates stayed the same as those set in 1986. The law also required pension funds with an amortization period of over 30 years to submit a plan to restore financial stability. While OP&F has had strong investment returns in past years, Foley now hopes lawmakers will advance legislation to create an actuarially required contribution formula to preserve the fund’s future integrity.
One area of concern is Foley’s admission that she is working with right-wing think tanks to develop a plan. “The Reason Foundation and Americans for Prosperity are actually supporting us, saying that yes, actuarial funding is the way to go,” said Foley. “Obviously, I’m working with anyone who will work with me, understanding that the courts of Ohio have determined these benefits are constitutionally protected for retirees, not for future members, but for those currently invested.”
As policymakers evaluate pension policies, this advocacy underscores that reforms—whether structural or financial—have real consequences for recruitment, retention, and the morale of the professionals who depend on these systems.
Oklahoma Trooper Shortages Reveal Retirement Cliff Risks
In Oklahoma, a looming retirement wave is forcing the Highway Patrol to seek nearly $26 million in recruitment funding, highlighting the high cost of turnover and the critical role retention plays in sustaining public safety. With more than one-third of troopers eligible to retire, agency leaders warn that without new investment, the state risks losing experienced officers faster than it can replace them.
Officials said the funding would support two 72-person training academies and add 100 new troopers, addressing coverage gaps, especially in rural counties. Lt. Mark Southall described current conditions this way: “They’re on call nearly every night that they work, and they don’t really have a life outside of the patrol.”
The trooper shortage mirrors broader public safety workforce trends nationwide: as large cohorts become eligible for retirement, states must invest in recruitment and retention to maintain service levels and ensure that retirement systems remain sustainable.
Be sure to check back next Friday for the latest news in the fight for a secure retirement! For now, sign up for NPPC News Clips to receive daily pension news from across the country directly to your inbox.