Welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Pensions! We have gathered the top stories about pensions and retirement security from the previous week.
NPPC Highlight
In a new opinion piece, NPPC Executive Director Kendal Killian connects the dots between the decades-long attacks on defined benefit pensions and the mounting threats to Social Security. From billionaire CEOs to right-wing think tanks, the same forces that gutted public pensions are now targeting the retirement security of every American. Read why this fight is personal—and why we can’t afford to sit this one out.
States Step Up to Welcome Displaced Federal Workers with Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunity
As the current administration continues its aggressive campaign to shrink the federal government—most recently targeting the Department of Education—states are stepping up to support displaced workers and strengthen their own public service workforce.
From Hawaii to New York to Maryland, governors are launching targeted initiatives to fill critical vacancies in state government by welcoming experienced federal employees impacted by widespread layoffs. These programs do more than just fill jobs—they send a powerful message: states value public service and the people who dedicate their careers to it.
Read the full article to learn more about how states are stepping up.
Alaska Voters Want a Secure Retirement for Public Employees
New polling from Data for Progress shows strong, bipartisan support among Alaska voters for reinstating a public employee pension system—nearly two decades after it was dismantled in favor of a 401(k)-style plan. With a + 17-point margin of support, Alaskans recognize the urgent need to attract and retain qualified public workers by offering retirement security through a defined benefit pension. As the state grappled with workforce shortages and rising concerns about economic stability, this data proves that Alaskans understand that a return to pensions is about ensuring they have access to essential public services now and in the future.
Pensions Could Be Required for Connecticut’s First Responders
Connecticut took an important step last week toward strengthening retirement security for the state’s first responders. Last Thursday, the Labor and Public Employees Committee voted 9-4 to advance House Bill 6953, which would require municipalities to enroll police officers and firefighters in the state’s Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) or another plan offering equal or better benefits.
The legislation aims to level the playing field for communities across Connecticut struggling to hire and retain qualified public safety professionals, many of whom are leaving for municipalities that still offer a secure, defined benefit pension. Municipalities would have until June 30, 2027, if passed into law, to comply, giving local governments ample time to plan and implement the change.
Defined benefit pensions are a critical tool for attracting and keeping skilled emergency personnel, and recruitment and retention challenges are already affecting public safety in Connecticut. According to Rep. Kaitlyn Shake (D-Stratford), police chiefs have reported a growing trend of lateral moves, with officers leaving towns that don’t offer pensions for those that do—even if it means giving up seniority. “That is how significant of an issue this is,” she said. “This will be a game changer.”
Opponents of the bill raised concerns about the potential cost, but that line of thinking ignores the broader public impact. When first responders lack the security of a pension, not only does it affect their retirement—it also affects staffing, training, morale, and ultimately, the safety and well-being of the communities they serve. Defined benefit pensions remain the gold standard in retirement security and are especially vital in professions where burnout and injury risk are high.Be sure to check back next Friday for the latest in the fight for a secure retirement! For now, sign up for NPPC News Clips to receive daily pension news from across the country directly to your inbox.