
Retirement in Alaska
In 2006, Alaska went from offering one of the best retirement systems in the country, to one of the worst. Since that time, NEA-Alaska has been leading an effort to change that. Through informational sessions, trainings, and legislative advocacy, our members are the driving force behind changing the current system and restoring a retirement with dignity for all Alaska public employees.
What is SOAR?
Saving Our Alaska Retirement (SOAR) is an NEA-Alaska committee dedicated to ensuring Alaska educators have access to a secure retirement after their service to our public schools. In 2006, Alaska abandoned its defined benefit retirement system and put in place a defined contribution system. This change has left all public sector workers hired since then without any guaranteed income in retirement. This fact, coupled with the reality that most Alaska educators do not participate in Social Security, has created a perfect storm of financial insecurity.
Since 2006, NEA-Alaska has been advocating for a return to a defined benefit system. Our association has supported legislation and built coalitions with other public sector unions to advance our cause. Unfortunately, these efforts have encountered considerable political pushback and have never come to fruition. The SOAR committee is working to change this.
This group shares critical information regarding Alaska retirement plans, financial services available to NEA-Alaska members, and conducts research and analysis of pertinent financial information which is shared with educators and policymakers. SOAR committee members are appointed by the NEA-Alaska President from each of our 7 Regions as well as At-Large members with valuable experience navigating the complex web of retirement issues.
Please use and share this site to gain insight into our ongoing work, increase our capacity to engage legislators, and join our movement to create real change for Alaska working people.
Sign Up for Our NewsletterFAQ
Retirement is a complicated subject with very few one size fits all answers. Whether you’re an early career educator looking for ways to diversify your retirement savings, or you’re nearing the end of your career, there is an abundance of information available to you. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from Alaska educators.
For Teachers (TRS):
- If you entered the Teachers’ Retirement System between 7/1/1955 and 6/30/1990 you are a: TRS Tier I employee.
- If you entered the Teachers’ Retirement System between 6/30/1990 and 6/30/2006 you are a: TRS Tier II employee.
- If you entered the Teachers’ Retirement System after 6/30/2006 you are a: TRS Tier III employee.
For non-certificated public school employees (PERS):
- If you entered the Public Employees Retirement System between 1/1/1961 and 6/30/1986 you are a: PERS Tier I employee.
- If you entered the Public Employees Retirement System after 6/30/1986 you are a: PERS Tier II employee.
- If you entered the Public Employees Retirement System after 6/30/1996 you are a: PERS Tier III employee.
- If you entered the Public Employees Retirement System after 6/30/2006 you are a: PERS Tier IV employee.
The primary difference between DB and DC plans is security in retirement. While both plans set aside money for retirement, DB plans guarantee income through a pension. DC plans take money from the state and the employee and invest that money in a plan similar to a 401 (k). Under DC plans, an employee’s earnings are subject to fluctuations in global financial markets and contains no guarantees for income in retirement.
Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits:
- TRS I & II Defined Benefit (DB) Plan
- PERS I, II, and III Defined Benefit (DB) Plan
- TRS III Defined Contribution Retirement (DCR) Plan
- PERS IV Defined Contribution (DCR) Plan
EMPOWER Retirement:
Issues
Understanding all of the issues impacting our retirement system can be overwhelming. With local, state, and federal programs overlapping and impacting one another, it’s important to evaluate your individual situation when planning for retirement. The section below will help you assess the overall retirement system for Alaska educators and gain knowledge that can be useful in making informed decisions. As always, working closely with a professional financial planner is the best way to build a plan for your retirement.
In 1935, when Social Security was established, the Federal Government did not impose mandatory Social Security participation on state and local government employees.
In 1951, the Social Security Administration created Section 218 of the Social Security Act—commonly known as Voluntary Social Security—that made Social Security participation voluntary for state and local governments. During this process, the state of Alaska created a “Section 218 Master Agreement” with the federal government. At this time, the “Territorial TRS” system was excluded from voluntary Social Security coverage.
In 1955, the Social Security Administration said that members of excluded systems (TRS) could now vote to elect Social Security coverage. In recent history, no TRS members have held a vote to return to Social Security.
You are encouraged to login in to your Social Security account to understand your potential Social Security benefits.
Political subdivisions of the state—school districts or municipal governments—can join Social Security with a modification to the state of Alaska “Section 218 Master Agreement.” To individually choose whether or not they return to Social Security, a school district can allow TRS employees to hold a “divided vote.”
On July 1, 2006, Senate Bill 241 took effect, creating the Teacher’s Retirement System Tier III (TRS III) and Public Employee Retirement System Tier IV (PERS IV). This action resulted in Alaska moving from a state with a defined benefit pension—one of the better retirements for educators and public employees in the country—to a defined contribution retirement system that is one of the worst retirements in the country.
Fixing the retirement system has been one of NEA-Alaska’s top legislative priorities since Alaska shifted from a defined benefit (DB) plan to a defined contribution (DC) plan in 2006. NEA-Alaska has been one of several public-sector unions advocating for a return to a DB plan. So far, these efforts have been unsuccessful.
In recent years, NEA-Alaska developed and advocated for a “hybrid plan” modeled after other states that have successfully managed pension liabilities and risk, while still offering educators and state employees a pension. Hybrid plans offer both a modest DB retirement coupled with a DC—so employees have both.
Resources
ARTICLE: No Social Security? For Alaska teachers, that’s just the way it is
ARTICLE: This is what teacher turnover looks like in Alaska
ARTICLE: Alaska teachers wonder: Should they stay or should they go?
State of Alaska Retirement and Benefits
Brief History of Alaska Retirement
NEA-Alaska/Retired Membership
As a retired member, you can continue to participate in NEA-Alaska at every level. You’ll support Alaska’s premier watchdog on retirement issues, legislation that impacts retirees and TRS/PERS issues. You’ll also add your voice to NEA-Retired, protecting your interests on the federal level.
Visit NEA-Alaska RetiredPre-Retired Membership
Still working? Join Pre-Retired for a lifetime of continued support and benefits after you retire. Select a payment plan that works best for you and become a fully paid-up member while you’re still in your earning years.
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