Video & Transcript Research : 'PERA'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2026-04-16
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- contains several technical changes to procedures the SBI uses to bill statewide pension systems, MSRS, PERA
- will never get recognized probably on the floor in this body, but the MSRS people are out here, the PERA
- will never get recognized probably on the floor in this body, but the MSRS people are out here, the PERA
Bills:
HF4074
Keywords:
retirement, pension, public employees, MSRS, PERA, TRA, St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, police and fire, correctional employees, probation officers, telecommunicators, dispatchers, 911 operators, public safety answering point, PSAP, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, paid on-call firefighters, fire relief association, state aid
MN
Keywords:
pension, retirement, omnibus pension, MSRS, PERA, TRA, public employees retirement, state employees retirement, correctional employees, police and fire retirement, State Patrol retirement, teachers retirement, firefighter relief association, volunteer firefighter, state aid, postretirement adjustment, COLA, annuity, disability benefit, duty disability
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/07/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 064 Mar 19th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas PERA also offers voluntary savings plans, the PERA Plus 401(k) and 457 plans, to eligible
- And whereas PERA also offers employees.
- PERA Plus voluntary savings plans, the PERA Plus 401k<00:33:32.320>
and <00:33:32.480>457 chose PERA the PERA DB plan chose PERA the PERA DB plan overwhelmingly<00:33:45.320>cited - <00:34:30.120>
be <00:34:30.200>an Colorado PERA continues to be an Colorado PERA continues - <00:34:30.120>
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 journal, and received several committee reports and appointment recommendations. Finance reported two banking-related reappointments for the consent calendar and recommended amendments and favorable action on Senate Bills 128 and 131. The chamber also heard notices of committee realignment affecting the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, including a reduction in membership and the removal of Senator John Carson from that committee for the remainder of the session.
During personal privilege, senators recognized Greeley Day at the Capitol and College Board. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 16, concerning retirement readiness and financial well-being. Supporters said the resolution highlights the importance of retirement security, financial education, and lifetime income options for PERA members. The resolution passed 34-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also laid over HJR 1023 and SB 66 until March 19.
On third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 1142, Senate Bills 2660, 2635, 1031, and 105 on the consent calendar, with some senators recorded as no votes on SB 2660 and SB 2635. It also passed Senate Bill 62, which designates second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides as restricted-use pesticides, by a 22-12 vote, and Senate Bill 98, which reestablishes local authority over noise abatement, by a 30-4 vote. The chamber then concurred with House amendments and re-passed Senate Bills 11, 32, and 16; the House changes to SB 11 were described as clarifications to search-warrant requirements for certain electronic platforms, SB 32’s changes concerned immunization access and removed a vaccine-manufacturer liability provision, and SB 16’s changes were mostly technical and removed a criminal-penalty reference. The Senate also laid over the general orders calendar until March 19 and recessed until 11:30 a.m.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Nov 5th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, PERA is currently 65% funded.
- Looks at where PERA was at the end of the fiscal year.
- Within the PERA fund, that would be successful.
- But what PERA does, it's expensive; it's costly.
- PERA investments, right?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/24/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- PERA specifically raised the concern that the PERA general plan will be $33 million worse off if a new
- new PERA plan.
- PERA plan. PERA plan.
- PERA plan. PERA plan.
- features of the current MSRS and PERA features of the current MSRS and PERA plans<00:58:38.760><
Summary:
The commission approved the March 17 minutes and then heard testimony on Senate File 4419 / House File 4069, as amended, which would exempt J-1 visa-holding teachers and their school districts from Teachers Retirement Association contribution requirements during the teachers’ exchange term. Senator Pappas and Representative Feist said the bill is intended to help districts fill hard-to-staff special education and other positions by letting J-1 teachers keep more of their pay for immediate relocation costs, while also redirecting employer savings toward onboarding, mentorship, and cultural orientation. They argued the teachers are temporary by design, often cannot stay long enough to benefit from TRA, and that the bill would be roughly neutral for TRA because contributions and matching liability would both be removed.
Supportive testimony came from Matthew Connelly of Lattice Global Teachers and Melissa Schaller of Intermediate School District 917. Connelly said J-1 teachers arrive with significant upfront expenses and only a short window to establish themselves, and that the exemption could save them about $4,000 to $5,000 while helping schools afford recruitment and support costs. Schaller said her district has relied on international special education teachers to fill vacancies, that the H-1B option is no longer workable because of a large fee increase, and that J-1 hiring is needed to remain competitive; she noted 17 open special education positions for 2026-27 and no other applicants.
Caitlin Snyder of Education Minnesota opposed the bill, arguing it lowers compensation and removes a retirement option without enough input from teachers themselves. She said the bill does not ensure the employer savings would be used for housing or other supports, and urged more direct consultation with J-1 teachers. Several members raised concerns about fairness, pension protection, and whether the bill could create unintended consequences for teachers who later remain in Minnesota. Senator Pappas responded that the circumstances are unusual because J-1 teachers are temporary and often cannot return, and said TRA had indicated the proposal would be neutral or supportive, unlike a separate St. Paul teachers issue. Representative O’Driscoll asked about J-1 teachers in higher education and private schools, and Mr. Connelly said the visa is mainly used in K-12 settings but can also appear in charter and private schools; he also noted many J-1 holders face a two-year home-residence requirement. The chair indicated the bill was slated for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill, but no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Oct 8th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I've notated the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board and PERA on there.
- Moving on to the next slide, New Mexico PERA experience.
- This ratio for the Educational Retirement Board and the PERA is below 1.25.
- Yes, Greg Trujillo from PERA. Would you like to chime in?
- And at PERA, we've done all three. In 2013, we reduced the benefits.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/21/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- PERA worked on it, the city worked on it.
- Chairman, would be does PERA have, Mr.
- Um, so PERA reviewed the, um, for PERA.
- Plan<00:52:36.040>
participants PERA Police and Fire Plan participants PERA Police and Fire - We're still working with um PERA this.
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. It then took up Senate File 4860 / House File 4812, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association bill, which would reduce the employee contribution rate for coordinated members from 9% to 8% starting after June 30, 2026, raise the retiree COLA from 1% to 1.5% beginning January 1, 2027, and increase the state-funded employer contribution by 2.7%. Staff said the bill’s cost is just over $12 million per year over 15 years. Representative Lilly said the bill was intended to bring parity to St. Paul teachers after prior work in this area left some behind.
Several St. Paul teachers testified in support, describing financial strain, burnout, and the difficulty of balancing teaching with family responsibilities. Hannah Geimer said the 1% contribution change would make a meaningful difference in her budget as a single parent. Eric Erickson said he and his wife have spent decades working extra hours and coaching, and argued that St. Paul educators pay more and receive less in retirement than other teachers. Arzoo Faroozan Yazdani, a Central High teacher, said the higher contribution rate and lower COLA make it hard to stay in the district and raise a family. Lisa Hodek said teachers are undercompensated for the demands of the job and that the pension disparity has created frustration and a sense of betrayal. Phil Tensic, the SPTRFA director, summarized the request as seeking an 8% contribution and 1.5% COLA to match TRA, and noted that the plan’s members are spread across legislative districts, not just in St. Paul.
Members discussed the history behind the pension disparity. Senator Nelson questioned whether “parity” was the right term given the plan’s funding problems and the legacy of the “big red box,” referring to past underfunding. Tensic and Senator Pappas explained that the state had previously allowed St. Paul schools not to contribute for a period of years, that supplemental district and state aid began in 2018, and that the plan is projected to be amortized by 2039 and must be paid off by 2048. Members also noted that the bill and related pension proposals depend on available funding; Representative O’Driscoll and others said no final financing agreement had been reached, though leadership was continuing discussions. The committee received letters of support from Education Minnesota, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and 40 individual supporters. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Jan 26th, 2026 at 08:35 am
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, PERA has a COLA, and it's very small. It's 0.5%.
- Again, Greg Trujillo with PERA. Before I begin, I did give some handouts to Pablo.
- So PERA does have two different sets of cost-of-living adjustments.
- It's not unique to PERA. This is kind of what our country is going through.
- ... ...PERA statute, and so those have helped achieve that 67% funding.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Jul 18th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, this afternoon, we have Greg Trujillo, the Executive Director of the PERA.
- So, on the left is the PERA plan. Again, that's our largest plan.
- This designation was given to PERA, I believe, in the 1950s.
- Goes back into the state in the form of PERA benefits.
- You know, participating in PERA is a condition of employment.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Nov 5th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Just briefly, and we do have some members from the PERA board today. What would I say?
- I gave this exact same presentation with just a few edits to the PERA board.
- When I first started with the state of New Mexico, COLAs for PERA retirements were 3%.
- And just for the record, I wanted to say that I am a recipient of PERA, just to be transparent.
- I keep saying 'board,' and I know, Senator, I keep thinking I'm on the PERA board.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Oct 9th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- PERA had a funded ratio of 67%, and ERB was 65% funded.
- PERA and ERB are within what we would expect an average range to be.
- That was the PERA system. And the valuation that GRS provided, that was their metric. Yes.
- Supporting these management companies that are managing our ERB and our PERA.
- Oh, I know that New Mexico PERA is in this group. I know that some of the Arizona funds are.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/17/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- PERA.
- This is only PERA SVC the It's not PERA.
- I can talk coordinator for PERA.
- <00:51:57.280>
a statute this bill also impacts PERA a statute this bill also impacts PERA - does PERA support this proposal? does PERA support this proposal?
Summary:
The commission first approved the minutes and then took up several pension omnibus items. Representative Rapinski’s item, related to an I-RAP issue, was moved ahead of the agenda and passed without further information after members noted the State Board of Investment and Minnesota State had not identified additional facts; the bill, as previously amended, was recommended for inclusion in the 2026 Pension Omnibus Bill. The committee also corrected a procedural issue on Senator Gustafson’s bill, SF 3897/HF 3703, after realizing an amendment referenced earlier belonged to a different bill; the motion was restated without the amendment reference and the bill was then recommended to pass and be incorporated into the omnibus bill.
The main policy discussion centered on SF 3897/HF 3703, which would change how terminating firefighter relief association plans value benefits for firefighters under age 50. Senator Gustafson said the current statute can unfairly reduce benefits by requiring present-value discounting and that the bill would instead allow benefits to be based on accrued benefit under the plan formula, while still leaving relief associations flexibility to use present value if they choose. Staff confirmed the bill applies only to relief associations under chapter 424B, not PERA or the statewide plan. Senator Rasmussen raised concerns about consistency between SVF and non-SVF reliefs and about differing treatment on termination; the bill author acknowledged the difference. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the bill for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill.
The final major item was House File 4162, as amended by an A1 amendment, which requires employers of reemployed annuitants in TRA to make employer contributions during reemployment, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees covered under section 354.445. Representative O’Driscoll argued the bill would direct existing education-formula pension dollars to TRA, prevent districts from using those funds elsewhere when retirees are rehired, and keep the employee neutral because the annuitant’s benefit would not change. Supporters said the measure would help pension funding and address situations where districts rehire retired teachers, often in hard-to-fill specialties. Opponents, including Senator Rasmusson, questioned the added cost to school districts, citing an estimated $5.385 million in annual TRA revenue from the change and warning it could reduce districts’ ability to hire or retain staff. After discussion, the committee had not yet taken final action on this item in the portion of the meeting provided.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Jan 29th, 2026 at 01:50 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill before you is basically a PERA cleanup bill, Public Employees Retirement Association.
- The bill before you is basically a PERA cleanup bill, Public Employees Retirement Association.
- We have found language throughout the PERA Act that needs updating and correcting.
- You've got the PERA here with you and, excuse me, the ERB and the ARB, okay?
- Madam Chair, Representative, Tedazas, I'd like to introduce Greg Trujillo from the PERA.
Summary:
The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met and first heard House Memorial 7, which asks Legislative Council Service, the State Personnel Office, DFA, and GSD to study the use of temporary, term, seasonal, casual, on-call, and other non-regular classifications in state government. The memorial was presented as a response to concerns that some workers are repeatedly terminated and rehired, sometimes after a one-day break, to avoid regular status and associated benefits. Testimony from CWA and AFSCME described long-term temporary workers at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and other agencies who allegedly do full-time work without health insurance, retirement, leave, or consistent pay progression, and who in some cases were denied union coverage. Committee members questioned the scope, definitions of temporary employment, and whether the issue should instead be referred to the state auditor; the sponsor said the study would gather data and recommendations first. The committee voted due pass, and House Memorial 7 passed unanimously.
The committee then heard House Bill 177, which appropriates funds to the Veterans Services Department to contract for shelter and care of service and companion animals so veterans can access housing, medical care, and other services without fearing separation from their pets. Support came from the Veterans Services Department, Animal Protection New Mexico, and the Veterans and Military Families Caucus/Veterans Integration Center, all of whom said pets are often a barrier to veterans seeking care and that existing community-based animal boarding models could be used. The bill received no opposition, and the committee voted due pass with no opposition.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill intended to update and clarify the Public Employees Retirement Act and align it with administrative practice. Testimony focused on a provision allowing PERA to use licensed physicians, including out-of-state physicians who can be licensed in New Mexico, to serve on the disability review process when needed so disability cases are not delayed. Committee members raised concerns about ensuring medical expertise and avoiding abuse of the licensing flexibility, but PERA explained the change was meant to address recruitment difficulties and maintain timely review. The committee voted due pass on House Bill 43.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- going to turn this over to miss Pera going to turn this over to miss Pera thank<00:10:26.480>
- Miss Pera, go ahead.
- <00:27:10.600>
go chair yeah you're welcome Miss Pera go chair yeah you're welcome Miss Pera - Thank you, Representative Dippel, and thank you, Miss Pera.
- "No, you did a good job then, Miss Pera. No questions.
Summary:
The Education Policy Committee met for its first hearing of 2025 and began with member and staff introductions, along with opening remarks from Chair Peggy Bennett about her first time chairing the committee. Members briefly described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair also reviewed committee rules and procedures, including deadlines for bill requests, amendments, testifiers, and handouts.
Nonpartisan House Research then provided an extensive overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the education code. The presentation covered the Department of Education’s duties, including supervision of public schools, rulemaking under legislative authority, state and federal education funding and compliance, standards and assessments, accountability systems, student discipline, and model policies. It also discussed related entities such as PELSB, the Board of School Administrators, the Perpich Center, regional centers of excellence, Compass, MTSS, and the READ Act. The committee asked questions about zoning for school sites and about teacher licensure changes, including the tiered licensure system and recent adjustments affecting special education teachers and standards of effective practice.
No bills were heard and no votes were taken. The meeting was primarily organizational and informational, focused on orienting members to the committee’s work and the structure of Minnesota’s education policy system.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- retires with PERA, when do they receive their first COLA?
- under PERA, they receive that 80% after their 22.5 or 25 years.
- I'm doing like 101 on ERB, because, full disclosure, I do not receive ERB or PERA.
- I think the spouse received PERA. And I was actually surprised that they don't receive COLA.
- So hopefully our talk goes good and my talk with PERA goes good and everybody gets a COLA.
Keywords:
educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 19th, 2026 at 08:53 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, and Senator, it's my understanding that PERA has a Mr.
- President, my experts say that PERA is currently funded at 65.2 percent. Okay, so Mr.
- President, when I applied for the PERA of.
- So, if your beneficiary doesn't have a copy of the paper, PERA has the information.
- What the PERA member was receiving, so there is a designation.
Keywords:
SB273, appropriations, general fund, hold harmless, local government finance, municipal revenue, county revenue, correctional facility, jail contract, private prison, detention facility, immigration detention, revenue bonds, clawback, child welfare, juvenile justice, protective services, school improvement, New MexiCare, aging services
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight May 22nd, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Maybe, maybe Pera ought to use uh ERB's investor. Thank you.
- Um, 22 years, Pera is expecting 53 years. Those do change from time to time.
- For Pera we're looking at about um between the employer and employee rate over 30%.
- What is the unfunded liability for PERA?
- Uh, Madam Chair, the unfunded liability for PERA is 8.71 billion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/10/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That's MSRS, PERA, and TRA. exception. exception.
- MSRS, and PERA. MSRS, and PERA.
- <01:20:11.600>
or the in the SVF plan run by PERA or the in the SVF plan run by PERA or relief - by PERA. by PERA.
- to pay out executive director of PERA to pay out the<01:44:33.120>
benefit.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- will also see on lines 17 and 18 there are two lines that relate to direct state aid for MSRS and PERA
- <00:08:38.960>
MSRS <00:08:40.320>and, <00:08:40.880>uh, <00:08:41.280>PERA - , direct state aid for MSRS and, uh, PERA, direct state aid for MSRS and, uh, PERA, and<00:08:42.479
- into um the payment structure under the into um the payment structure under the um<00:14:33.360>
PERA - um PERA police and fire. um PERA police and fire.