MoDOT & Patrol Employees’ Retirement System
In the latest 2025 edition of its landmark study, the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) reveals a compelling truth: public pensions are not a cost burden—they are a powerful economic engine. The report, titled Unintended Consequences: How Scaling Back Public Pensions Puts Government Revenues at Risk, shows that in 2023 alone, public pensions generated nationally:
- $2.9 trillion in total U.S. economic output
- $661.9 billion in state and local tax revenues
- A net gain of $445.2 billion over taxpayer contributions
For every $1 taxpayers contributed, public pensions returned $13.41 in economic activity.
Missouri’s Share: A Net Positive for the State
Missouri’s numbers are especially encouraging:
- Total Revenue from Public Pensions: $5.1 billion
- Taxpayer Contributions: $3.26 billion
- Net Revenue Gain: $1.84 billion
This means that for every dollar Missouri taxpayers invested in public pensions, the state received significantly more in return, supporting local businesses, funding public services, and strengthening rural economies through retiree spending.
What This Means for MPERS
For MPERS’ retirees and stakeholders, these findings reinforce the long-term value of a well-managed defined benefit plan. MPERS not only provides a secure, lifetime income for its members but also contributes to Missouri’s economic health. As highlighted in recent editions of The Pensioner, MPERS continues to maintain strong investment performance and low administrative costs, ranking among the most efficient public pension systems in the country.