ANCHORAGE, Alaska — As the 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) remains the subject of intense debate in the state legislature, Alaskans are still waiting for a final decision on how much money they can expect this year. Governor Mike Dunleavy is pushing for a $3,900 payout based on a decades-old statutory formula that hasn’t been used since the 1980s. But both the Senate and House are countering with much lower proposals—$1,000 and $1,400 respectively—citing Alaska’s budget deficit and the need for financial restraint.
Why the Delay?
A significant sticking point is the state’s projected $1.8 billion budget deficit. Lawmakers are attempting to balance a fair dividend for residents with fiscal responsibility. The Senate’s proposed $1,000 payout, introduced by the Senate Finance Committee on May 2, aims to reduce state spending by $265 million and would be the lowest PFD in five years. If adjusted for inflation, some experts say it would be the lowest in Alaska’s history.
The House’s $1,400 proposal, passed in April, follows a more recent informal policy: allocating 25% of the Permanent Fund’s annual earnings to the dividend. This method was used to calculate the 2024 payment of $1,702, which included a $295 energy relief component.
What Can Residents Expect?
As of now, there’s no official figure for the 2025 PFD. Legislators are expected to negotiate a compromise between the $1,000 and $1,400 proposals in the coming weeks. If past years are any guide, the final decision may not arrive until September.
2024 and Earlier Payments Still Coming
For residents who applied for the PFD in 2024 or earlier but have not yet received payment, the Alaska Department of Revenue has scheduled upcoming disbursements:
- Applications marked “Eligible–Not Paid” as of April 9, 2025, will be paid on April 17, 2025.
- Applications in the same status on May 7, 2025, will be paid on May 15, 2025.
- Applications still pending as of June 11, 2025, will be paid on June 18, 2025.
Looking Back at Recent PFDs
Alaska’s PFD has seen wide fluctuations over the years:
- 2020: $992
- 2022: $3,284
- 2023: $1,312
- 2024: $1,702 (including energy relief)
These changes highlight the ongoing tension between resident expectations and the state’s economic realities.
Who Is Eligible for the PFD?
To qualify, applicants must:
- Have been an Alaska resident for the entire previous calendar year.
- Intend to remain in Alaska indefinitely.
- Avoid claiming residency in another state or receiving benefits elsewhere.
- Be in compliance with state laws (no felony convictions, etc.).
The 2025 application deadline was March 31, and payments—whatever the final amount may be—are expected in October, as tradition holds.
Bottom Line
Will Alaskans receive the full $3,900 Governor Dunleavy wants? That remains unlikely given fiscal constraints. While a compromise figure between $1,000 and $1,400 is probable, the legislative deadlock could delay an official announcement until late summer. For now, residents are advised to monitor updates from the Alaska Legislature and Department of Revenue.