Retirement & Pensions

Education news, analysis, and opinion about school staff retirement and the related financial obligations and issues for districts and states
Teaching Profession Most Teachers Won't Have Enough Retirement Savings Under Pension Plans, Study Finds
A new study estimates that 81 percent of teachers won't have comfortable retirement savings under a typical defined-benefit pension plan.
Madeline Will, March 17, 2019
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5 min read
Teaching Profession The Kentucky 'Pension Flu' Has Hit Teachers Once Again
Several school districts have been forced to close due to a large number of teachers calling out sick in protest of a pension-reform bill.
Madeline Will, February 28, 2019
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3 min read
Education Funding News in Brief California's Teacher-Pension Fund Divests From Prison Companies
California's teacher-pension fund is pulling its investments out of two private prison companies that have contracts to house immigrants detained at the Mexican border.
Tribune News Service, November 27, 2018
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1 min read
Education 'Frontline' Examines Woes of Kentucky's Underfunded Teacher Pension Plan
The PBS show looks at one of the most underfunded teacher-retirement plans in the nation, and the political battles this year over changes to Kentucky's system.
Mark Walsh, October 22, 2018
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2 min read
Teaching Profession In Illinois, New Budget Caps Raises and Limits Pensions for Teachers
The state's budget bill, which Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law this week, caps annual raises for end-of-career-teachers, lowering the pension they can receive.
Sarah Schwartz, June 5, 2018
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2 min read
Teaching Profession Math Teacher Unseats Ky. House Leader Who Spearheaded Pension Changes
In the latest victory for educators, a high school math teacher ousted a Kentucky incumbent who co-authored the controversial pension reform bill.
Madeline Will, May 23, 2018
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1 min read
Teaching Profession News in Brief In Late-Night Deal, Colo. Lawmakers Pass Pension Reform Measure
In the 11th hour of their legislative session, Colorado lawmakers last week passed a compromise deal to change the state's underfunded pension system for teachers and other public employees.
Madeline Will, May 15, 2018
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1 min read
Teaching Profession Colorado Lawmakers Pass Pension Reform Bill in Late-Night Deal
The final version of the bill reduces the cost-of-living raises and increases employee contributions to their retirement, among other changes.
Madeline Will, May 10, 2018
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2 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Teaching Profession Costly Pension Plans Are Fanning the Flames of Teacher Unrest
The pressure to rein in costly retirement systems could put more states in the center of policy fights like the one that sparked teacher walkouts in Kentucky.
Daarel Burnette II & Madeline Will, April 19, 2018
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8 min read
The author protested funding changes for Kentucky teachers at the state capitol on April 13, 2018.
The author protested funding changes for Kentucky teachers at the state capitol on April 13, 2018.
Law & Courts Opinion Kentucky Teacher Responds to Pension Changes: The Teaching Profession Is ‘Under Attack’
Teachers nationwide are rallying together to command the attention of lawmakers around their most basic needs, writes Kentucky special educator Jessica Dueñas.
Jessica Duenas, April 18, 2018
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4 min read
Education Kentucky Governor Vetoes Education Budget, Signs Pension Changes
Teachers plan to converge on the state's Capitol this Friday to urge the state's legislature to override the governor's veto, a move that will likely shutter a large portion of the state's schools.
Daarel Burnette II, April 11, 2018
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1 min read
Teaching Profession Teachers in Oklahoma and Kentucky Rally at State Capitols Over Funding, Pensions
The Oklahoma teacher walkout will continue on Tuesday, despite a $6,100 pay raise passed by the legislature.
Madeline Will, April 2, 2018
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2 min read
Thousands of teachers marched and rallied in downtown Los Angeles on Dec. 15, 2018. A month later, more than 30,000 educators went on strike for a pay raise, smaller class sizes, and more support staff.
Thousands of teachers marched and rallied in downtown Los Angeles on Dec. 15, 2018. A month later, more than 30,000 educators went on strike for a pay raise, smaller class sizes, and more support staff.
Damian Dovarganes/AP
Teaching Profession Explainer Teacher Pay: How Salaries, Pensions, and Benefits Work in Schools
An Education Week primer on teacher salaries, raises, performance pay, pensions, Social Security benefits, and health-care premiums.
Madeline Will & Stephen Sawchuk, March 30, 2018
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7 min read
Teaching Profession Kentucky Districts Close After Angry Teachers Call In Sick With 'Pension Flu'
More than 20 districts were closed on Friday due to teacher outcry over the passage of a pension overhaul bill, which changes how new teachers will retire.
Madeline Will, March 30, 2018
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2 min read
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