Eligible Alaskans will begin receiving $3,284 this month. That includes a $650 energy relief check that state lawmakers approved earlier this year. The combined amount represents the largest payout in the Permanent Fund Dividend program’s 41-year history.
While the PFD has set a new record, it’s far less than what it would have been if the state paid a full statutory PFD, which should have been about $4,200 this year.
Former Gov. Bill Walker dramatically reduced Alaskans’ PFD checks in 2016 by fundamentally changing the way the annual payouts are conducted. Prior to 2016, when Walker vetoed about half of the statutory PFD, the amount was always calculated on a fixed transfer of money to Alaskans based on the Permanent Fund’s earnings. Now the annual payout is a highly politicized process determined by a vote of the State Legislature.
Residents who opted for direct deposit on their 2022 application will receive their dividend beginning Tuesday, Sept. 20. All other PFDs will be distributed starting the week of Oct. 6.
This year’s PFD will inject about $2.1 billion into the state’s economy, which typically brings a spike in economic activity for the remainder of the year. Residents often purchase heating fuel, food, one-time items and a host of retail products with the influx of cash.
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Gov. Mike Dunleavy traveled to the Three Bears Alaska store outside of Palmer to make the announcement.
“The PFD at $3,284, a total of $13,000 for a family of four, can go a long way in offsetting the record-high costs of energy and food we’re experiencing, preparing for winter, paying off debt, saving for college, or any number of other purposes,” Dunleavy said. “Alaskans need to remember the amount wasn’t determined by the traditional PFD formula – or any other formula. It was a political decision made in the capitol building during the legislative session. My position on the statutory PFD formula has been consistent: the Legislature needs to either follow the law or change the law, and if the law is changed, it must be done with the consent of the people.” To check the status of individual PFD applications go to MyPFD.
13 Comments
What? It’s my understanding that this does NOT reflect the PFD at all, but rather that another sum–provided by the gov’t to “compensate” the people for high gas and fuel prices– was ADDED to yet another weak PFD.
Yes, and not only that, it doesn’t actually reflect the devaluation of the dollar caused by the Federal Govt. spending sprees, and vote buying giveaways. The state has some involvement in the problems as well.
When the PFD was first established didn’t Alaskans sign over water and mineral rights in exchange for a yearly payoff?
Crys, the legal state of the matter is, they are not following the established law… Also, the oil production, the major source of PFD support, and financing, does not come under a mineral, or water statute… Bottom line: follow the law, or change it.
It’s free. Show a little gratitude. What an attitude of entitlement this whole PFD thing has created. Sickening.
Do you invest in the Stock Market at all? Would you like it if someone sucked away your earnings? The PFD is not an entitlement! It is Alaskan’s investment in the Market.
Mary, you haven’t invested anything. Like I said, free money…
Actually, it is an entitlement that comes with being an Alaskan resident. Sounds like you don’t want yours, maybe you should donate it.
In fact I have. Many times, and to very good causes.
It’s the Law to a full PFD
Then do something about it Dunleavy.
This title is so misleading. The PFD earning, first of all is far more and secondly the amount listed is not while PFD but dollars added from the federal Relief package. This whole title skips the part the Feds are playing. Sad, that as an Alaskan investor in the Stock Market, I am cheated out of my earnings each year by Juneau.
Vote for me and I’ll let you hold this shiny new dollar bill.
Mike Dunleavys weakness is on display for all to see, ” it’s the law ” he says and ” if there not going to follow it they should change it “!!
What an incredible punk who doesn’t know how to use the power he has been entrusted with! Sick of him, I am sick of him, Alaska is sick of him!!!
We should all break the law due to the fact that the governor’s response is, ” if they don’t like it they should change it”?