Dear Educators,
As a Minnesota State Representative proudly representing Prior Lake, Jordan, Shakopee, and the surrounding townships, I have been working hard to find common-sense, bipartisan solutions that support you—Minnesota’s dedicated educators. This year, I’m proud to share we made a meaningful step forward in strengthening pensions.
60/30 Special Early Retirement Is Now Law
This session, a key part of our pension reform work became reality. Teachers will now have access to early retirement at age 60 with 30 years of service. This new option is modeled on our bill, House File 2329 and is a major win for educators who’ve committed their careers to the classroom and need more flexibility as they approach retirement.
Watch my floor speech on the importance of this win and why policy should come before politics: Pension Speech
But let me be clear: this is just the beginning.
What’s Next: The 62/30 Unreduced Pension
We are continuing to push for a true “career rule”—an unreduced pension for educators at age 62 with 30 years of service (House File 2318). This would bring Minnesota in line with many other states and recognize the full value of a lifelong career in education.
We’re also committed to finding ways to make pension reform financially responsible. This session, we explored proposals like adjusting school meal eligibility—still keeping breakfast free for all students but asking high-income families (over $188,250 for a family of 5) to contribute to lunch. That change alone would generate over $470 million in savings across four years.
Why It Matters?
These savings could fully fund the 62/30 pension bill and deliver $40 million more each year to our local schools to reduce class sizes, hire more teachers, and give you the tools you need to succeed in the classroom.
This work only moves forward because educators like you are engaged. Your stories, your input, and your advocacy make all the difference.
Please keep reaching out—share your priorities, your feedback, and your ideas. My job is to amplify your voice at the Capitol, and I’m honored to continue fighting for the respect and retirement security you’ve earned.
With appreciation,
rep.ben.bakeberg@house.mn.gov
651.296.5185