This bill amends the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system, providing employees the option to choose between defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Key changes include the repeal and reenactment of AS 14.25.009, which clarifies retirement plan applicability for teachers, and amendments to AS 14.25.040 that outline participation conditions. The bill introduces new subsections allowing active members to elect participation in the defined benefit plan under specific criteria, including written notice to the administrator. It also establishes a one-time election for reemployed teachers to switch to the defined benefit plan, contingent on not having received a full distribution from their defined contribution account prior to reemployment.

Additionally, the bill modifies various sections of Alaska Statutes related to retirement benefits, particularly for members who joined after June 30, 2006. It introduces a sub-trust for these newer members to ensure adequate funding for their costs and specifies different eligibility criteria for retirement benefits based on membership start dates. The bill also clarifies medical benefits for surviving spouses and dependents, establishes irrevocable elections for purchasing credited service, and adjusts retirement benefit calculations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the retirement and medical benefits framework for teachers and public employees, ensuring sustainability and equity within the retirement system.

Statutes affected:
SB0028A, AM SB 28, introduced 01/10/2025: 14.25.009, 14.25.220, 14.25.310, 14.25.590, 14.25.040, 14.40.661, 14.40.799, 14.25.540, 39.35.095, 39.35.680, 39.30.097, 14.25.480, 14.25.171, 39.30.150, 39.30.180, 14.25.360, 14.25.010, 14.25.181, 14.25.320, 14.25.490, 14.25.048, 14.25.061, 14.25.050, U.S.C, 14.25.070, 14.25.065, 14.20.136, 14.25.173, 37.10.220, 14.25.350, 39.30.370, 14.25.075, 14.25.047, 14.25.060, 14.25.100, 14.25.107, 14.20.345, 14.25.044, 14.25.105, 14.25.085, 14.25.087, 14.25.168, 14.25.110, 14.25.167, 14.25.142, 14.25.143, 43.23.005, 39.30.300, 39.30.095, 14.25.330, 37.10.210, 37.10.390, 14.25.340, 39.35.730, 39.35.750, 39.45.010, 39.45.060, 14.25.145, 39.35.100, 39.30.495, 39.35.160, 39.35.255, 37.10.310, 14.25.086, 39.35.281, 40.25.110, 40.25.120, 39.35.475, 39.30.090, 22.25.090, 39.35.535, 39.35.537, 39.35.880, 39.37.145, 23.15.136, 39.30.091, 21.86.310, 23.15.010, 23.15.210, 39.35.700, 39.35.990, 39.35.940, 39.30.340, 14.25.003, 14.25.004, 39.30.380, 14.25.470, 39.35.870, 39.30.390, 39.30.400, 39.30.420, 39.35.760, 39.35.115, 39.35.678, 39.35.710, 39.35.895, 39.35.165, 39.35.159, 39.35.310, 39.35.330, 39.35.340, 39.35.342, 39.35.345, 39.35.360, 39.35.370, 39.35.375, 39.35.381, 39.35.341, 39.35.520, 39.35.280, 39.35.282, 39.35.385, 39.35.120, 39.35.450, 39.35.400, 39.35.440, 39.35.485, 39.35.480, 39.35.610, 39.35.300, 39.35.720, 14.25.012