Volume 24 | October 2022
The Pensioner: In the Moment
Welcome to the digital MPERS newsletter! The Pensioner: In the Moment contains news, updates, and important information for retirees of the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and MPERS.
MPERS Continues to Stay Positive
MPERS’ investment staff is doing some truly amazing work.
 
During a year in which the stock market was less than friendly, MPERS investment staff pulled off an incredible feat…a positive investment return of 3.94% while many of their pension plan peers experienced negative investment returns.
 
MPERS continues to operate within a diversified portfolio that aided in the positive return for Fiscal Year 2022, ranking MPERS’ return in the top 1% of the peer universe. Additionally, MPERS' one-year, three-year, five-year, and ten-year returns all ranked in the top 1% of the public peer universe.
 
What does this mean to our members? It means that providing sustainable benefits for current and future retirees is, and always will be, our number one focus
Funded Status Increases to 66.3%
MPERS saw a record increase in funded status of nearly 4% for Fiscal Year 2022. The funded status improved from 62.4% to 66.3%, an increase not seen in over 22 years.
 
Overall, the funded status has increased a significant 24.1% since 2010! 
This upward continuum is not only attributed to skillful investment decisions by our investment staff, but a commitment by the Board of Trustees to make sure MPERS reaches the funded status of 100% in the not-so-distant future.
MPERS' Retirement Process Satisfaction = A+
MPERS' service reputation with covered members has been solid for some time; however, we are always looking for ways to improve.

Just over a year ago, MPERS’ staff made the decision to use Cobalt Community Research to measure our service performance. Cobalt Community Research is a research consultant established in 2007 to provide independent, credible, and cost-effective research. The research service not only provides feedback for specific service areas but also compares our results to other public and private sector organizations conducting the same or similar business.

Over the last year when MPERS’ members completed the retirement process, they were surveyed. MPERS' overall score for the last fiscal year was 97, the highest of all survey participants, including other pension plans.

Congratulations to our benefits team! Keep up the stellar work!
Mary Jordan
Senior Benefit Specialist
Gabrielle Lewis
Senior Benefit Specialist
Bev Wilson
Benefit Audit Specialist
MPERS Receives Award for 17th Consecutive Year
MPERS was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its FY 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
 
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a governmental organization and its management.
 
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.
 
Congratulations!
Upcoming Events
  • 10 -Columbus Day, office open
  • 15 - Deadline to submit direct deposit and/or tax withholding changes. Complete changes here.
  • 31 - Payday for benefit recipients.
We value your feedback!
What would you like to see in The Pensioner: In the Moment?
Send comments and suggestions to Julie.West@mpers.org.