Teaching Profession News in Brief

AFT Takes on Pension Spiking

By Sean Cavanagh — May 24, 2011 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

The executive committee of the American Federation of Teachers, the nations second-largest teachers union, with 1.5 million members, called for an end to pension spiking and double-dipping in recommendations released last week. The union acknowledged that some pension practices inflate costs, including raising compensation near the end of a workers career to sweeten benefits payouts, known as spiking, and double-dipping, when an employee retires and is rehired, receiving both a pension and a salary.

A version of this article appeared in the May 25, 2011 edition of Education Week as AFT Takes on Pension Spiking

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Reading & Literacy Webinar
Unlocking Success for Struggling Adolescent Readers
The Science of Reading transformed K-3 literacy. Now it's time to extend that focus to students in grades 6 through 12.
Content provided by STARI
Jobs Regional K-12 Virtual Career Fair: DMV
Find teaching jobs and K-12 education jubs at the EdWeek Top School Jobs virtual career fair.
Education Funding Webinar Congress Approved Next Year’s Federal School Funding. What’s Next?
Congress passed the budget, but uncertainty remains. Experts explain what districts should expect from federal education policy next.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Teaching Profession 2026 Teacher of the Year Preps History Students for a Diverse and Divisive World
Leon Smith of Pennsylvania engages high school students in new angles on seemingly well-trodden topics and events.
3 min read
Teacher of the Year Leon Smith on March 25, 2026 Haverford High School in Pennsylvania.
The 2026 Teacher of the Year, Leon Smith, in his classroom at Haverford High School in Pennsylvania on March 25, 2026,
Courtesy of the Council of Chief State School Officers
Teaching Profession Flexibility and Teamwork Are Key to Rebuilding Teacher Confidence, Morale
Lone Star teachers and principals show the little ways schools can support teacher morale.
3 min read
Attendees during the State of Teaching event in San Antonio on April 14, 2026.
Attendees share stories during Education Week's State of Teaching event in San Antonio on April 14, 2026. Many said that helping make the job more flexible for teachers could go some ways to making the job feel more sustainable.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Teaching Profession Here's Why Teachers Say They Haven't Quit
Beyond a love of teaching, teachers have practical reasons to stick to their jobs.
1 min read
Lead images complilation 1720 x 1150 (4)
Laura Baker/Education Week via Canva
Teaching Profession Should Teachers Get Overtime Pay? EdWeek Readers Have Some Thoughts
Readers give their opinions on whether teachers should qualify for overtime pay.
1 min read
Teacher Time
Getty