The 2026 legislative session commenced January 14 and will continue for up to 120 days.
Below you’ll find summaries and status information for proposed legislation that affects PERA and its members and retirees. We’ll update the status of each bill regularly and encourage you to subscribe to our biweekly newsletter for regular updates. Note that bill summaries describe each bill as introduced and may not reflect all recent changes.
Last updated: February 11, 2026
House Bill 1026
Expanding Plan Options for PERA
Summary: Would make changes to PERA provisions related to purchasing service credit and PERA’s 401(k) and 457(b) plans. Under current law, PERA members can purchase service credit based on previous periods of employment; this bill would allow for limited purchases of service credit for periods of unemployment. The bill would also require all PERA-affiliated employers to offer the PERAPlus 401(k) and 457(b) plans, in both pre-tax and Roth options, to their employees.
Sponsors: Rep. Bob Marshall, Rep. Eliza Hamrick, Sen. Chris Kolker
PERA position: Support
Status: House Finance Committee voted February 9 to refer to House Appropriations Committee with a favorable recommendation
House Bill 1027
BOCES Definition & Executive Director
Summary: Under current state law, certain PERA retirees are allowed to return to work for a PERA-affiliated employer without facing a reduction in their PERA benefit. This bill would add executive directors of boards of cooperative services (BOCES) to the list of approved retirees.
Sponsors: Rep. Tammy Story, Sen. Chris Kolker
PERA position: Monitor
Status: Senate Education Committee voted February 11 to refer unamended to Committee of the Whole
House Bill 1062
Expand Deduction for Retirement Benefits
Summary: Under current state law, individuals can deduct a portion of their pension or other annuity income from their taxable income, up to the applicable limit. This bill would remove all caps on the deduction beginning with the 2027 tax year.
Sponsors: Rep. Ron Weinberg
PERA position: Support
Status: House Finance Committee voted February 9 to postpone indefinitely
House Bill 1146
Allow Approved Facility Schools Participate in Public Employees’ Retirement Association
Summary: Would allow approved facility schools—programs that serve students with behavioral issues and other special needs—to affiliate with PERA to provide retirement benefits to their employees.
Sponsors: Rep. Jacque Phillips, Rep. Eliza Hamrick, Sen. Chris Kolker, Sen. Cathy Kipp
PERA position: Support
Status: Introduced February 4; scheduled for discussion in House Education Committee February 19