Permanent Fund

The Juneau offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy makes new pick for Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board of directors

By James Brooks Alaska Beacon Craig Richards, a longtime member of the board in charge of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, has been replaced. On… Continue reading

 

Andy Engstrom (left) uses bitcoin to buy lemonade and cookies from business owner Denali Schijvens (right) on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s 1st Bitcoin conference held in Juneau

State leaders discuss integrating Bitcoin in Alaska energy, investment and universities

 

Deven Mitchell is the executive director and chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.)

Opinion: The key to a stronger fund: Diversification

Diversification is a means of stabilizing returns and mitigating risk

 

Legislators and staff huddle to discuss adjustments to a final compromise spending plan during a budget conference committee meeting on Sunday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

$1,000 PFD approved by legislative conference committee as part of final compromise state budget

Lower-than-expected oil prices results in lowest inflation-adjusted dividend since payouts began in 1982.

Legislators and staff huddle to discuss adjustments to a final compromise spending plan during a budget conference committee meeting on Sunday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The chairs of the Senate Finance Committee huddle for a discussion after introducing their draft operating budget, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Senate committee drops proposed 2025 PFD to $1,000 per recipient, an inflation-adjusted low

Amid a severe state budget deficit, the Alaska Senate Finance Committee is proposing the lowest Permanent Fund dividend in five years and — if adjusted… Continue reading

The chairs of the Senate Finance Committee huddle for a discussion after introducing their draft operating budget, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Geoff Kirsch and students from Sayéik Gastineau Community School sing during a rally for early education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Spend more for programs or PFDs? Legislators say reality may mean less money for both.

As protesters plea for reverse to program cuts, Senate budget leader says PFD may shrink to $1,000.

Geoff Kirsch and students from Sayéik Gastineau Community School sing during a rally for early education funding at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives are seen on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House votes to cut proposed dividend, but huge deficit remains unresolved

Surpise vote with three Republicans absent drops proposed dividend to about $1,400 per recipient.

The chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives are seen on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022 in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Permanent Fund suffers multibillion-dollar decline amid Trump tariff-driven market crash

The Alaska Permanent Fund, the No. 1 source of general-purpose revenue for state services and the Permanent Fund dividend, suffered a multibillion-dollar loss during last… Continue reading

The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022 in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

The Alaska House budget currently has a ‘full’ PFD of about $3,800. Except it really doesn’t.

Legislators on all sides agree PFD will shrink drastically before floor vote to avoid $2 billion deficit.

The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Uhtred Permanentfundsen, the “defender of the Permanent Fund,” occupies a shelf near the head of the table in the Senate Finance Committee room at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: It’s time to eliminate the Permanent Fund dividend

It is time now for the Legislature to seriously consider eliminating the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) and to establish a mechanism to provide a replacement… Continue reading

Uhtred Permanentfundsen, the “defender of the Permanent Fund,” occupies a shelf near the head of the table in the Senate Finance Committee room at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska Senate Finance Committee chambers are seen on April 22, 2022. (Photo by Rashah McChesney)

With bipartisan support, Alaska Senate panel again proposes new ‘75/25’ PFD formula

Proposal directing money mostly to state spending would mean about $1,420 per recipient this year.

The Alaska Senate Finance Committee chambers are seen on April 22, 2022. (Photo by Rashah McChesney)
Uhtred Permanentfundsen, the “defender of the Permanent Fund,” occupies a shelf near the head of the table in the Senate Finance Committee room at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

This year’s Permanent Fund Dividend is $1,702, with first payouts scheduled Oct. 3

Amount includes $1,403.83 from Permanent Fund earnings and $298.17 “one-time energy relief payment.”

Uhtred Permanentfundsen, the “defender of the Permanent Fund,” occupies a shelf near the head of the table in the Senate Finance Committee room at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Deven Mitchell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives a tour of the corporation’s investment floor to Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and other attendees of an open house on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

New Alaska Permanent Fund reports show fiscal crisis growing closer

More money is being spent from the fund than is being deposited or earned through investments.

Deven Mitchell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives a tour of the corporation’s investment floor to Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and other attendees of an open house on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. Board of Trustees votes for a new chair and vice chair during a meeting in Fairbanks on Wednesday. (Screenshot from APFC livestream)

Ellie Rubenstein resigns from Permanent Fund board, Ethan Schutt displaced as chair in wake of email allegations

Trustees elect new chair, vice chair Wednesday morning; Rubenstein announces resignation hours later

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. Board of Trustees votes for a new chair and vice chair during a meeting in Fairbanks on Wednesday. (Screenshot from APFC livestream)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board chairman Ethan Schutt is seen during a special board meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Dunleavy reappoints Permanent Fund Corp. board chair Schutt after weeks of uncertainty

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has reappointed Ethan Schutt to a public seat on the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s board of directors, a little over two weeks… Continue reading

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board chairman Ethan Schutt is seen during a special board meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A cartoon sketch is seen on a cubicle in the offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. during an open house on Friday, Feb. 16. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

After email leak, some Alaska legislators say they’re skeptical of Permanent Fund’s direction

Members of the Alaska Legislature questioned the direction of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. on Monday in a hearing of the Legislative Budget and Audit… Continue reading

A cartoon sketch is seen on a cubicle in the offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. during an open house on Friday, Feb. 16. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The trustees of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen during a quarterly meeting Feb. 16. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska Permanent Fund leaders vote to hire law firm to investigate leaker and themselves

Third-party investigator will examine six years of contacts between staff and the board of trustees.

The trustees of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen during a quarterly meeting Feb. 16. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022 in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Permanent Fund bosses vote to defy Alaska Legislature, keep Anchorage office

One dissenting member of board of trustees warns vote could cause “a fight” with the Legislature.

The offices of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. are seen Monday, June 6, 2022 in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo Cars drive past the building where the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. is headquartered on Sept. 21, 2023.

Accusations of threats, closed-door decisions and other improprieties raised at Permanent Fund board meeting

Special meeting resulting from leak of emails about one board member leads to wider allegations.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo Cars drive past the building where the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. is headquartered on Sept. 21, 2023.
Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board members including Gabrielle Rubenstein (wearing white) meet with staff and advisors on Oct. 30, 2023, to discuss a proposal to raise the fund’s rate of return by making riskier investments. The idea stalled when advisors suggested the strategy and timing are ill-advised. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Permanent Fund board calls special meeting Wednesday due to leaked emails alleging improper behavior

Ellie Rubenstein accused of setting up meetings between APFC staff and her business associates.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board members including Gabrielle Rubenstein (wearing white) meet with staff and advisors on Oct. 30, 2023, to discuss a proposal to raise the fund’s rate of return by making riskier investments. The idea stalled when advisors suggested the strategy and timing are ill-advised. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)