Inadequate pensions caught up to Minnesota educators; rally planned Monday
For more information, contact:
LINDY SOWMICK
612-757-7624 (cell)
SAINT PAUL, Minnesota. March 30, 2023 – Educators from across Minnesota will rally in the Capitol rotunda on Monday to call for legislation this session that will deliver better pensions for teachers who are being treated unfairly because of policy decisions made in the past.
Due to prior decisions made during tough times for the state budget, teachers hired before the arbitrary date of July 1, 1989, are now retiring with an unreduced pension with the “rule of 90” more than 10 years earlier than their colleagues, who were hired after that day. Those teachers who didn’t make the cutoff are feeling stuck in the profession until age 66 in order to get an adequate pension that covers the cost of living as a retiree in Minnesota. The state has one of the highest full retirement ages in the country for teachers.
On Monday, educators and allies will put state leaders on alert that Minnesota has chronically underfunded educator pensions and it is time for legislators to invest. A fix is needed to the two-tiered system that over-penalizes active teachers and offers a diminishing benefit to retirees. Many solutions to bolster teacher pensions are on the table this legislative session, including extra credit for teaching during the pandemic, lowering the normal retirement age, lessening penalties and more.
Education Minnesota believes better pensions are an essential tool to recruit and retain qualified teachers at a time when the profession is suffering.
Logistics
WHEN: 3:45-4:45 p.m. Monday, April 3
WHERE: State Capitol rotunda
WHO: Hundreds of concerned educators from across the state. Speaking program will include President Denise Specht of Education Minnesota; Rep. Sydney Jordan; Sens. Nick Frentz, Erin Murphy, Aric Putnam and Heather Gustafson; and more invited legislators, as well as grassroots pension leaders and educators.
The rally will also be live streamed on Education Minnesota’s Facebook page.
To arrange individual interviews before or after the rally, please contact Lindy Sowmick of Education Minnesota at 612-757-1624 or lindy.sowmick@edmn.org.
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
