Minnesota lawmakers from both parties are considering changes to the state’s teacher pension system. The proposed bills aim to provide K-12 teachers with larger pensions and allow them to retire earlier. Under the current system, Minnesota teachers must teach for 30 years and reach 65 to receive their full pension.
They can retire earlier but with a reduced pension amount. One bipartisan bill in the House, HF2318, would lower the early retirement age from 62 to 60. Another Republican-sponsored bill, HF2329, proposes allowing retirees aged 62 and above to receive their pensions without reductions.
Two other bipartisan bills, House File 1582 and Senate File 2000, would make teachers eligible for an unreduced early retirement pension at age 60 and require employers to contribute more to all teacher pension plans. Senator Heather Gustafson, a former high school teacher, emphasized the need for a fair retirement for dedicated teachers.
Debating proposed teacher pension changes
“Teachers who have spent decades supporting Minnesota’s children deserve a retirement that allows them to live comfortably,” she said. Education Minnesota, the state’s teachers union, argues that Minnesota lags behind other states in teacher retirement benefits.
The union supports SF2000, which proposes even higher employer pension contributions. Denise Specht, President of Education Minnesota, said, “We need more investment from our state to ensure that our pensions fulfill the promises made to educators in the past.
The proposed changes also include increases in cost-of-living adjustments to pensions and eliminating delays for those adjustments to take effect. However, the financial feasibility of these changes is a concern, as Minnesota is projecting a $6 billion budget deficit by the 2028-29 budget cycle.
Rep. Mary Frances Clardy pointed out that the projected deficit and anticipated federal budget cuts are forcing lawmakers to reevaluate funding priorities, even for legislation with bipartisan support. HF1582 alone is estimated to cost around $285 million annually.
The outcome of these legislative efforts will significantly impact Minnesota’s teachers and the future of their retirement benefits.
Image Credits: Photo by Tra Nguyen on Unsplash
