More than 600,000 Alaskans to Receive $1,000 Payments from Alaska Permanent Fund in 2025

Over 600,000 eligible Alaskans will begin receiving their 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) payments, with each recipient receiving $1,000. This marks the official announcement of the dividend amount, set by the Alaska Legislature earlier this year in House Bill 53 and approved as part of the state budget.​

The $1,000 dividend is the lowest in the last five years and, when adjusted for inflation, represents the smallest payout in the fund’s history. Last year’s dividend was roughly $1,700. The reduced amount reflects legislative efforts to balance the state budget amid plunging oil revenues and economic uncertainty. Governor Mike Dunleavy had initially proposed a much higher dividend of about $3,900, but lawmakers decided on the more conservative figure to avoid draining the state’s key rainy-day fund.​

The Alaska Permanent Fund, which totals over $86 billion in assets as of 2025, was established to share the state’s oil wealth with its residents. Since 1982, annual dividend payments have provided vital economic support to Alaskans, particularly benefiting rural and lower-income communities.

Residents who filed their applications electronically and requested direct deposit began receiving their payments in early October. Paper applications and requests for physical checks are scheduled for payment starting October 23, with additional payout dates in November and December for late approvals.​

Eligible residents can check the status of their application on the Alaska Department of Revenue’s website. This year’s total payout is expected to cost approximately $685 million, making it one of the largest single expenses in the state’s budget.​

The Alaska Permanent Fund dividend continues to be a cornerstone of the state’s economy, demonstrating how natural resource wealth can be shared directly with citizens even amid financial challenges