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Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley and other statehouse leaders say they have no interest in pursuing changes to the state-run retirement program for public employees despite a proposal from a state government efficiency panel.

The Iowa DOGE task force met last week to discuss dozens of proposals to present to Gov. Kim Reynolds and lawmakers ahead of a Sept. 29 deadline. Among the 45 recommendations discussed was replacing the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) with a defined contribution system , similar to a 401(k).

Terry Lutz, chairman of McClure Engineering Co. and former mayor of Fort Dodge, said Iowa’s retirement and health care compensation programs are “way out of w

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