© 2025 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

MI teacher retirement plan inches forward

The Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.
WKAR Photo
The Michigan State Capitol in Lansing.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-898617.mp3

LANSING, MI –

A plan to convince thousands of veteran teachers to retire is now before a team of state House and Senate negotiators. They are looking to strike a compromise that will save the state and school districts money, and avert a fiscal crisis.

AUDIO: Unions complain that most of the plans that have been proposed are an effort to push teachers out of their jobs by threatening to take away their benefits. House Democrats approved a measure that would sweeten the deal for teachers.

State Representative Mark Meadows.

"It was more like beat over the head and force them out the door, and I don't think that works with anybody and our plan is more of an incentive than it is a stick," he says.

Meadows says the House plan would save school districts money, even if they're forced to accept another round of funding from the state. But it would not save the state money as the School Aid Fund faces a projected $450 million deficit. Senate Republicans rejected that approach. A bipartisan negotiating committee is trying to reach a deal before an end-of-the-week deadline.

Local journalism matters—and it’s at risk.


WKAR brings you trusted news, without barriers—no paywalls, no corporate spin. But now, federal funding that helps make it all possible is on the chopping block. Your support is more important than ever. Stand up for independent journalism in mid-Michigan—make your gift today.