Economic Indicator News

NASRA tracks economic data that helps inform various aspects of the public pension community. Among the information considered most relevant to understanding public pensions is state and local employment, compensation, and tax revenue, and public pension assets. 

Employment

NASRA tracks private sector and state & local government employment on a monthly basis. Data is provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and is compiled by NASRA staff. 

Latest Employment Update

Compensation

NASRA reports on trends in the private sector and state & local government employee costs of compensation and benefits. The Employment Cost Index (ECI) measures the change in the cost of labor through compensation (including wages and salaries and benefits) and is produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on a quarterly basis.

Latest Compensation Update

Public Pension Assets

NASRA tracks total financial assets held by state & local government retirement funds on a quarterly and annual basis. Data is provided by the U.S. Federal Reserve System and is compiled by NASRA staff.

Latest Public Pension Assets Update

State & Local Revenue

NASRA tracks the revenue generated by state and local income, sales, and property tax levies over time. Data is provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and is compiled by NASRA staff. 

Latest State & Local Revenue Update


Become A Member

Becoming a member of NASRA offers a unique opportunity to join a community committed to the sound, efficient, and innovative stewardship of public retirement systems. Membership connects you with a network of professionals and experts, providing valuable insights into managing public retirement systems with a focus on sustainability and risk-averse strategies.

By joining NASRA, you gain the tools and resources to enhance the management of public retirement systems, ensuring their long-term success and reliability for generations to come.

What's New at NASRA: Updated Cost of Living Issue Brief

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) play a significant role in public pensions. They help retirees keep up with rising prices, but they also add costs to pension plans. Policymakers and plan sponsors are tasked with balancing three things: benefits adequacy, plan sustainability, and affordability for members and plan sponsors.
The recent increase in inflation caused many policymakers and, in some cases pension trustees, to review how benefits are designed and paid for, including the way COLAs are granted and funded. NASRA’s recently updated issue brief on the lates trends in COLAs is available in the NASRA Research Center.