Volume 50 | December 2024

The Pensioner: In the Moment

In this digital edition, you’ll find news, updates, and essential information for retirees of the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and MPERS .

State of the System Virtual Meeting

Save the Date: December 11, 2024

What are milestones? Milestones mark key achievements or significant points along a journey. They provide a sense of progress, accomplishment, and direction. Reaching meaningful milestones signifies that you’re on the right path, while missing them might highlight areas that need attention.

We have taken a similar approach when evaluating MPERS, your retirement system. What are the critical milestones of the System? How do these milestones help us measure the System’s progress and success?

We’re proud to share that MPERS has recently achieved several significant milestones. These accomplishments reflect the System’s ongoing strength and dedication to serving its members. So, where does the System currently stand, and what milestones lie ahead?

Join Executive Director Scott Simon as he explores the vital sign categories of benefit administration, financial/audit, budget, communication, and investments.

Where: Online via GoToWebinar

When: Wednesday, December 11, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

If you have questions you would like addressed during the meeting, please email them to communications@mpers.org.

Retirement Security:
A Commitment from MPERS

As we look at the evolving landscape of retirement benefits, recent findings reveal that retirement plans, particularly defined benefit (DB) pensions, play a pivotal role in job satisfaction and retention. According to the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS), workers across political affiliations overwhelmingly say they would be more inclined to leave their current employer if it did not provide a pension. An impressive 91% of Democrats, 92% of Republicans, and 90% of Independents indicated they’d consider other job opportunities if a pension was not part of their benefits package.

As employers nationwide compete for talent, pensions continue to be a key factor in addressing employee financial concerns and securing loyalty. Unlike 401(k) plans, pensions offer predictable, lifelong income, resonating with employees facing an uncertain economic future. At MPERS, we take pride in providing this highly valued benefit to our members. While much of the country’s workforce face retirement with only savings-based plans, your MPERS defined benefit pension plan stands as a commitment to your financial future. Our pension offers you the security of a stable, guaranteed income stream after retirement, supporting both your well-being and career satisfaction.

In an era of challenging retirement options, MPERS remains dedicated to offering a pension that gives our members confidence and peace of mind. As retirement benefits continue to influence career choices, we are proud to be part of the solution for Missouri's public employees by providing a plan that supports you, your family, and your retirement goals.

Full article from NIRS