© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Selected stories from the WKAR NewsRoom in your morning email. SUBSCRIBE HERE

Michigan House Panel Changes Teacher Benefits Bill

WKAR file photo

New teachers in Michigan still would get hybrid pensions under changes made to a teacher benefits bill.The Republican-led state Senate passed a bill last week requiring all teachers hired after July 1 to be in a defined contribution system giving them money toward a 401(k)-style system but no defined benefit pension.
 
A committee in the Republican-led House introduced a substitute Monday to Senate Bill 1040 that would keep new teachers in a hybrid system that's part defined benefit and part defined contribution plan.
 
It also would require current teachers to pay less to keep their pensions than the Senate version would.
 
The substitute would cap the percentage school districts pay into the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System, with the state picking up the remaining cost, saving districts money.

 

With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.