Michael Hairston

Title: Senior Pension Specialist
Years at NEA: 8 years

It’s not a popular topic. Indeed, until listeners reach a certain age, the word ‘pension’ often is not on their radar screen. Initially, talk of Defined Benefit plans, fixed COLAs, multipliers, vesting doesn’t always resonate. And still Michael Hairston persists. Like a missionary, he talks about “our members’ largest asset”’ to anyone and everyone. “I don’t think we want our members to retire in poverty!” he says. 

Today, public employee pensions are under attack, caught up in a wave of anti-ESG legislation and culture wars. Certain politicians—the same ones who promote vouchers and attack DEI initiatives—are attempting to reform DB pensions, cut funding and limit the ability of trustees to make investment decisions solely in the interest of beneficiaries-our members. When bad legislation is proposed, Michael works with state affiliate staff and with NEA members who serve as trustees on state and local retirement boards, providing guidance around a range of options to defend educators’ defined-benefit plans. 

Pensions are a critical tool to the recruitment and retention of educators. “Education as a career is one of the most important professions in the world,” he says. Michael’s work is to make sure our members can enjoy a secure and dignified retirement after a career of service in education.