Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed Alaska House Bill 78 (HB 78) on May 18, 2026, and a subsequent legislative override attempt failed on May 19, 2026.

For too long, the lack of a stable, secure retirement has made it harder to keep experienced educators in our classrooms and attract new ones to our state.

HB 78 aimed to restore a defined-benefit public pension option for Alaska’s teachers, state employees, and municipal workers. The state originally abolished traditional pensions in 2006 following a massive underfunding error, moving entirely to a 401(k)-style defined-contribution system.

Because the override failed, the push to bring back public pensions is dead for the current legislative session, meaning any future effort will have to start entirely from scratch when the next legislature convenes.