Increase demonstrates both financial strength and a continued commitment to Elders
In January, CIRI announced that quarterly Elder distributions would increase to $600 per quarter in 2026. “This change honors our Elders and affirms the financial resilience of CIRI and the CIRI Settlement Trust (CIRI Trust),” CIRI President Tabetha Toloff said.
Elders are defined as original CIRI enrollees aged 65 and older. To honor their contributions, CIRI created an Elder benefit program in 2000 to provide quarterly distributions to qualifying Shareholders. Since then, CIRI has distributed more than $42 million to Elders.
The increase to the 2026 Elder distribution reflects CIRI’s mission to provide for its people—economically, socially and culturally—into the future. “As the CIRI Trust continues to grow, CIRI remains focused on its Alaska Native values and on strengthening opportunities for Shareholders and Descendants today and for generations to come,” Tabetha said.
Who receives CIRI Trust Elder payments?
Elder distributions are paid to the beneficiaries of the CIRI Trust who are original CIRI Shareholders, and alive and 65 years of age or older on the approved dates of record—providing they either own at least one share of CIRI stock or gifted all their CIRI stock prior to July 31, 2003. Elder distributions are scheduled to occur in the same months as quarterly Shareholder distribution payments: March, June, September and December.
What do I have to do to receive the payments?
Eligible Shareholders who are turning 65 and want to receive Elder distributions do not need to do anything other than to keep a current mailing address on file with CIRI Shareholder Relations and, if they wish to have their payments directly deposited, maintain current direct deposit information with Shareholder Relations.
Will receiving Elder payments jeopardize my eligibility for federal assistance programs?
In July 2025, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act (ANSTEA) was passed into law, closing a longstanding gap in Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act provisions. It ensures Settlement Trust payments from Alaska Native corporations to Alaska Native Elders (aged 65+), people with disabilities and those who are blind are not to be counted as income when determining eligibility for certain federal assistance programs such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or housing assistance. ANSTEA is effective for Settlement Trust payments through July 7, 2030, at which point the law will automatically expire unless Congress passes another law to extend it.
