AFP-Alaska: New Public Data Shows Alaska Retains Public Workers Better Than Most States
ANCHORAGE, AK – Americans for Prosperity-Alaska (AFP-Alaska) firmly opposes defined benefit pensions in Alaska, which would saddle the state with sizeable debt.
Main proponents of pensions for public sector workers claim that this will help increase our public employee retention. However, on Monday, the Reason Foundation released an article with public employee turnover data obtained through AFP-Alaska’s public records request, finding that Alaska’s public sector retention rates outperformed most states across the country. This data indicates that retirement plan type—defined benefits or defined contributions—has little impact on employee turnover, pointing to other factors as key drivers of retention. Since switching from a pension plan to a 401(k)-style plan in 2006, Alaska has maintained their retention and recruitment rates in the public sector.
AFP-Alaska is actively advocating against House Bill 78, which imposes defined benefit pension plans on public sector workers. This costly legislation undermines AFP’s mission to foster economic prosperity in Alaska.
AFP-Alaska Deputy State Director Quincy Azimi-Tabrizi released the following statement:
“AFP-Alaska is committed to opposing defined benefit pensions and all forms of careless legislation that increases our spending. Defined contribution plans are more cost-effective, flexible, and do not compromise the retention or quality of our public sector workforce.”
