Georgia lawmakers aim to keep a close eye on the state's $78 billion pension system for teachers that educators say is vital for recruitment and retention and that some legislators call unsustainable.

House members on Monday moved forward two bills aimed at making the system more financially stable and paying off the liability it faces for future pensions more quickly. The system's executive director, Buster Evans said that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

How big is the system?

  • It collected $2 billion last year in taxpayer contributions from the state and local school districts, and paid out $4.7 billion to retired educators.
  • The average pension payment last year was just under $37,000.
  • 127,223 retirees received benefits in 2018
  • More than 200,000 current teachers, school and university system employees pay into the Teachers Retirement System.

» Related: Shoring up teacher pension system could cost Georgia big money

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The House Chambers is full of lawmakers and judges as Gov. Brian Kemp delivers the state of the state address in the House of Representatives at the Georgia Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / AJC)

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State senators Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, and RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, fist bump at the Senate at the Capitol in Atlanta on Crossover Day, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

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