MoDOT & Patrol Employees’ Retirement System
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — September 21, 2026
The MoDOT & Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) announced today that its funded status has reached 82% as of June 30, 2026, marking continued progress in strengthening the System’s long-term financial position.
Funded status is one of the most important measures of a retirement system’s financial health. It compares the assets a system has set aside against the benefits it has promised to pay now and in the future. A higher funded status means more of the benefits earned by members and retirees are already backed by assets held in the trust fund.
“Reaching an 82% funded status reflects years of disciplined decision-making, responsible funding policies, and a long-term commitment to strengthening the System. It’s a meaningful milestone, and one we intend to keep building on,” said Scott Simon, Executive Director of MPERS.
MPERS has made significant progress in recent years. In 2025, the System reported a then-historic funded status of 75.7%, up from 70.6% the previous year. MPERS attributed that progress to strong funding policies and investment strategy. The continued improvement since then reflects the value of maintaining a long-term focus and making decisions designed to strengthen the System over time.
While no single number tells the whole story, funded status remains a key indicator of a retirement system’s ability to meet its long-term obligations. Improvements typically result from disciplined funding policies, investment returns, and consistent long-term planning. MPERS reported a 12.71% investment return for Fiscal Year 2025 and a 16.16% investment return for 2026, helping support its funding progress.
For members and retirees, a stronger funded position provides additional confidence in the security of the benefits they have earned. For employers, financial progress supports the System’s long-term sustainability and contributes to more stable funding requirements over time. Improved funding levels have also allowed employer contribution rates to return to more normal levels while member benefits remained unchanged.
Pension funding is measured over decades, not months, and market conditions will continue to fluctuate. MPERS remains focused on a diversified investment strategy, responsible funding practices, and prudent financial stewardship. These long-term principles have supported continued progress toward a stronger funded position and greater retirement security for current and future generations of members.
As MPERS continues to build on this progress, the System remains committed to protecting and providing retirement benefits while responsibly managing the resources entrusted to it by members and employers throughout Missouri.