Volume 16 | February 2022
The Pensioner: Looking Forward
Welcome to the digital MPERS newsletter! The Pensioner: Looking Forward contains news, updates, and important information for active employees of the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and MPERS.
2022 Legislation Introduced
House Bill 2234 is the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System’s and MPERS’ cleanup bill. This bill, if enacted, will correct errors and references, as well as clarify confusing statutory language.

Senate Bill 1053 and House Bill 1984, if enacted, would change when MPERS’ elected trustees are elected. Currently, all four elected trustees are elected for a four-year term during the same election cycle. The proposed bill would change that so two trustees were elected together, then the second two, two years later, thereby staggering the terms.

In addition to providing you with updates during the session, we will update our website at the end of the legislative session to include any bills that pertain to MPERS business. If you would like to follow the progress of these bills, please visit the Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement.
Trustee Elections Coming Soon
Trustee elections are right around the corner. If you are interested in running or voting in the upcoming election, consider the following:

  • The four elected trustees include one active employee of the Patrol and one from MoDOT, as well as one retiree from the Patrol and one from MoDOT, all serving four-year terms, and status determined as of March 1, 2022.
  • To be eligible for the ballot, each candidate must collect 25 signatures from their voting/nominating group. All signatures will be verified by MPERS. All nominations must be received by MPERS by April 1, 2022. Confirmed nominees will be notified that their names will appear on the ballot no later than April 5, 2022.
  • Eligible candidates must provide a candidate statement to MPERS no later than April 15, 2022.
  • Voting is done through MPERS Secure Member Access, myMPERS. You must have a myMPERS account to vote. If you have an account, please attempt to log in to be sure you still have a valid password. If you do not have an account, please set one up in advance of the voting period to avoid delays.
  • The voting period is April 29 through May 26. All electronic ballots must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on May 26, 2022.
  • The successful candidates will begin their terms on July 1, 2022.

More detailed information will be available in next month’s newsletter and on our website in the coming weeks.
Seminar Season Is Here
2022 Pre-Retirement Webinars*
If you are within five years of normal retirement eligibility or are already eligible for retirement, this webinar is for you!
Closed Plan and Year 2000 Plan
  • February 17
  • March 23
  • April 14
  • May 17
  • June 14
  • July 28
  • September 13
  • November 2

2011 Tier
  • June 9

*In the next couple of months, a limited number of in-person seminars will be released for open registration at a few locations throughout the state. MPERS plans to host these events during the summer and fall months (subject to change). Due to continued COVID-19 restrictions, registration will be limited to members only (i.e, no guests) and the number of members who can register will be reduced. Where possible, please register for webinars and save those in-person spots for those who may not have access to a webinar. 
2022 Mid-Career Checkup Webinars
This webinar is for members who have between 5-15 years of service and for those who are within 6-15 years of normal retirement eligibility.
Closed Plan and Year 2000 Plan
  • March 10
  • May 24
  • August 17
  • October 19

2011 Tier
  • April 21
  • July 19
  • September 27
  • November 9
Upcoming Events
  • February 17 - Pre-Retirement Webinar for Closed Plan and Year 2000 Plan members Register Here
  • 11 - Lincoln’s Birthday, office open
  • 17 - Pre-Retirement Webinar for Closed Plan and Year 2000 Plan members
  • 21 - Presidents’ Day, office closed
  • 25 - Board meeting
  • March 10 - Mid-Career Checkup for Closed Plan and Year 2000 Plan members Register Here

We value your feedback!
What would you like to see in The Pensioner: Looking Forward?
Send comments and suggestions to Julie.West@mpers.org.