Senate passes omnibus pension bill improving teacher and public-safety benefits, 55-12

The Minnesota Senate passed the 2025 omnibus pension bill, Senate File 2884, on May 18, approving improvements to benefits for teachers, police, firefighters, state patrol and other public employees by a 55-12 vote.

The bill’s author, Senator Frentz, opened floor debate saying the package represents an $80,000,000 base funding target per biennium and “is a big win” for teachers, police, firefighters and paramedics. He listed a series of benefit changes including earlier cost-of-living adjustments for police and fire retirees, a new teacher “career rule” and duty-disability modifications for public-safety employees.

Supporters said the bill gives teachers new retirement options and adds targeted cost-of-living improvements for public-safety retirees. “Teachers will get a career rule,” Senator Gustafson said on the floor, describing the bill’s educator provisions as a long-sought change. The bill also directs a $17,700,000 annual cost for the police and fire cost-of-living provisions and about $2,300,000 per year for state patrol increases; Frentz said the public-safety components total roughly $20,000,000 per year in general-fund cost.

Lawmakers pressing for larger or differently…