By Maria French
Source: National Public Pension Coalition
As legislatures across the country pack up and head home for the summer, we reflect on how pensions fared in the 2025 state sessions. National headlines touted sweeping federal job cuts and frozen federal aid funds, but did that affect state pensions? Here is a recap of what happened with the legislative actions we monitored this year:
Alaska
Following years of planning, organizing, and advocating for a return to pensions, the Alaska House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 78 in the final days of the 2025 session, putting public employees in the 49th state closer than ever to restoring retirement security. Chronic understaffing in public agencies across the state spurred the pension restoration effort.
Win: House Bill 78, which originated in the House Finance Committee, will establish a new defined benefit retirement system for public employees—a system that would offer greater financial security and stability than the current defined contribution model. Once enacted, it will provide both new and current employees a choice between a pension or a 401(k). NPPC and the Alaska Public Pension Coalition are working hard to prepare for the battle to pass HB 78 next year. The bill will begin the 2026 legislative session in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.