Welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Pensions! We have gathered the top stories about pensions and retirement security from the previous week.
Alaska Teacher Pushes to Restore Social Security Coverage
This week, Alaska special education teacher Ryan Howe is urging his school district to pursue a referendum that would allow teachers to rejoin Social Security. Since the closing of the public pension system in 2006, new Alaska teachers have had only a 401(k)-style plan, leaving them without a pension or Social Security benefits—an increasingly unsustainable situation.
Howe told the school board that Social Security coverage could mean “the difference between poverty and doing well” in retirement. Currently, Alaska teachers hired after 2006 rely entirely on investment-based accounts, while older educators still receive traditional pension benefits. The lack of guaranteed income and Social Security coverage has fueled turnover and made it harder to attract and retain teachers—especially in rural communities.
Across the state, the Alaska Public Pension Coalition has been working to restore a defined benefit option for public employees through legislation such as House Bill 78, which would reopen Alaska’s closed pension plan. The push to reestablish pensions has gained growing support from educators, first responders, and public workers who argue that restoring a guaranteed benefit is essential to rebuilding Alaska’s workforce and keeping experienced employees in the state.
Iowa’s DOGE Task Force Opens the Door to Future Pension Changes
Governor Kim Reynolds released the final report from her Iowa DOGE Task Force this week, including 45 recommendations aimed at “running government like a business.” While Reynolds reassured Iowans that the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) “isn’t going anywhere,” the task force’s report suggests allowing new hires to choose between a 401(k)-style plan and the existing defined benefit pension.
Implementing a plan choice may sound harmless, but it threatens the long-term health of IPERS by diverting contributions away from the system that ensures stability for public workers. Lawmakers have already warned that even small changes could weaken retirement security for teachers, law enforcement officers, and public employees statewide.
This follows a September meeting in which task force chair Terry Lutz tried to walk back the controversy, clarifying that the final recommendation was merely to “continue studying” retirement plan options. Still, the conversation has sparked renewed concern among workers who depend on IPERS—and as the 2026 legislative session approaches, they’ll be watching closely to ensure the promise of a secure retirement remains intact.
Ohio Teachers Fight to Protect Their Voices on STRS Board
Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast this week to discuss a lawsuit challenging recent changes to the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) board. In a last-minute budget amendment, the Ohio legislature reduced elected board members from seven to three while increasing political appointees to eight—effectively taking control of educators’ pensions away from educators themselves.
Cropper called the move unconstitutional and a direct attack on teacher representation and transparency. She also emphasized the importance of school board elections and the need for leaders who will stand up for public education and fair retirement benefits.
Listen to the full podcast here.
Maine Workers Brace for Fallout from Federal Shutdown
The ongoing federal government shutdown is threatening the financial security of thousands of public workers and families in Maine. State officials warned that if the shutdown continues into November, as many as 2,500 state employees could face layoffs, and more than 172,000 residents may see delays in their November SNAP benefits.
Maine’s Department of Administrative and Financial Services said it can sustain payroll only through the end of October. After that, programs funded by federal grants may begin shutting down. Without a long-term budget solution in Washington, the impact could ripple across transportation, emergency management, and social service programs statewide—further straining families who rely on public employees and essential services.
Be sure to check back next Friday for the latest 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.