Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB38

Changes to Supplemental Benefits for Alaska Teachers and Public Employees

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law allows employers in the teachers' retirement system or public employees' retirement system who do not use federal Social Security to join a state supplemental benefit program, while giving individual teacher members the option to choose whether they participate.

Allows employers in the Teachers' Retirement System and Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska that do not participate in federal Social Security to become participating employers in the employee benefits program.
Removes old rules requiring an employer to have never joined or must withdraw from federal Social Security before joining the state benefit program.
Gives employees who are members of the Teachers' Retirement System the option to choose whether they want to participate in the employee benefits program.
Updates the legal definition of a 'participating employer' to include employers defined under specific Alaska statutes for teachers and public employees.

Employers in the Teachers' Retirement System or Public Employees' Retirement System who do not participate in federal Social Security.
Employees working for those employers who are members of the Teachers' Retirement System.
The State of Alaska as a participating employer under the updated definition.

The law does not explain how much money employees or employers must pay to join the benefit program.
The text does not describe what specific benefits, such as health insurance or extra retirement funds, are included in the program.
It is unclear if this change applies immediately to all current employees or only those hired after July 1, 2025.

Plain language

Teachers' Retirement System: A state retirement plan for educators in Alaska defined by statute AS 14.25.
Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska (PERS): A state retirement plan for public workers defined by statute AS 39.35.
Participating Employer: An employer that joins the supplemental employee benefits program under new rules in this bill, including those who have previously participated in federal Social Security as long as they do not currently participate.

Official record

Validated

TEACHERS & SUPPLEMENTAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS An Act relating to supplemental employee benefits; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity