MOSERS' Funding Status

What is the status of the MOSERS fund? My wife heard on the radio that it is in fiscal trouble. Could you tell me the fund status or direct me to a site where I can review it's status. 

 As of June 30, 2017, retirement benefits for general state employees are 67.5% pre-funded. This information is contained in our Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. It was also included in our Summary Annual Financial Report, an insert in the fall/winter 2017 issue of our RetireeNews and PensionsPlus newsletters.

Money to pay retirement benefits comes from employer contributions, employee contributions (if first employed on or after 1/1/2011), and from investment returns. Over that past 20 years, 61% of the assets in the MOSERS Trust Fund have come from investment returns. Beginning in FY17, the MOSERS Board adopted a funding policy to gradually lower MOSERS’ investment return assumption. This more accurately reflects capital market expectations and confirms the Board’s commitment to sound financial practices. It results in higher annual employer contribution requirements (and a lowered funded status) in the short-term. However, it is the board’s expectation that these changes will strengthen MOSERS’ financial position and will ultimately enhance the retirement security of our members. (See Chairwoman’s Message for more information.)

While the dollar amount has increased, retirement benefits remain 1.5% of the total state budget. This is the same percent of the total state budget in FY2019 as it was 20 years ago in FY1999. For the past 60 years, the state of Missouri has honored its commitments to state employees and consistently funded the employer contributions recommended by our actuaries.