Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB17

Retirement Rules for Disabled Veterans

Last scannedSep 12, 2026, 4:46 AM

In one sentence

This law allows terminated Alaska public employees who are veterans with a permanent total disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to retire at any age if they have five years of credited service.

Changes the rule so that normal retirement benefits can be received by veterans rated as permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected condition at any age with at least five years of credited service, instead of requiring them to wait until age 60.
Keeps existing rules allowing peace officers or firefighters to retire after 20 years of credited service.
Keeps existing rules allowing other employees to retire after 30 years of credited service.
Removes three specific sections from state law: AS 39.35.340(d), 39.35.340(i), and 39.35.541(b).

Terminated Alaska public employees who are veterans with a permanent total disability rating for a service-connected condition from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Peace officers and firefighters in the state pension system.

The official text does not state when this law officially takes effect.
The bill only addresses specific sections regarding retirement eligibility ages and service years; it does not detail other parts of the pension system or benefit amounts.

Plain language

Credited Service: The amount of time an employee has worked that counts toward their retirement eligibility, as referenced in AS 39.35.
Service-Connected Condition: A condition rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for which a veteran is considered permanently and totally disabled.

Official record

Validated

DISABLED VETERANS: RETIREMENT BENEFITS An Act relating to retirement benefits and military service.

Official activity