Indiana officials say pre‑1996 teacher pension could reach full funding by FY2028, potentially freeing $1B a year
Indiana Public Retirement System officials told a legislative committee on Sept. 24, 2026 that the pension fund for teachers hired before 1996 could reach 100% funded as soon as the state’s 2028 fiscal year; a projected $160 million payment in 2027 was cited as the key step and leaders said it could eliminate roughly $1 billion in annual state payments.
State pension officials, led by Executive Director Steve Russo, told a legislative oversight committee on Sept. 24, 2026 that projections show the pre‑1996 teachers’ pension fund could be fully funded by fiscal year 2028. Russo said a $160 million state payment in 2027 is projected to get the fund to 100% but warned investment setbacks could require additional state support.
Lawmakers noted the state has made about $4.3 billion in extra contributions to the fund since 2018, including a $2.5 billion one‑time deposit in 2022. The pre‑96 plan covers roughly 52,000 retired and about 4,000 active teachers; House Speaker Todd Huston and others said avoiding a roughly $1 billion yearly payment would free money for other priorities or tax relief.
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