Event Calendar

Saturday, December 30, 1899

NASRA Annual Conference

Start Date: 8/8/2026 12:00 AM EDT
End Date: 8/12/2026 11:45 PM EDT

Venue Name: Westin Copley Place

Location:
10 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA  United States  02116

Organization Name: NASRA

Contact:
Rachel Tillman
Email: RTillman@coolrivermarketing.com
Phone: (202) 624-8462

Sponsor: NASRA





 



Join leaders in public retirement systems from across the country for the 2026 NASRA Annual Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. This year’s program - Revolution Echoes 1776: Modern Solutions - connects Boston’s revolutionary history with the work of today’s public retirement systems and offers sessions, expert panels, and networking designed to support resilient retirement systems.

For any questions, contact Rachel Tillman via e-mail.

-PRELIMINARY AGENDA - SUBJECT TO CHANGE-

2026 NASRA Annual Conference
August 8-12, 2026 | Boston, Massachusetts

Saturday, August 8
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM — Pre-Conference Sessions Begin
· Member Connections
Kick off the conference with an interactive session to meet fellow attendees, reconnect with colleagues, and begin the week’s conversations in an informal setting.
· Senior Staff Workshop
A targeted session for retirement system senior staff members to network, share experiences, and discuss common issues in administration and operations.
· Leadership Luncheon (Invitation Only)
Recognizing Premium Associate Members.
· Directors’ Workshop
Peer dialogue among system directors to discuss emerging issues, practical challenges, governance flexibility, and strategies for leading public retirement systems in a changing environment.
5:30 PM — Opening Reception - everyone welcome!
Connect with colleagues and kick off the conference with an opening evening event. Dinner on your own.
 
Sunday, August 9
7:30 AM — Breakfast Roundtable: Legal Management and Litigation Monitoring
8:30 AM — First General Session: Opening Ceremonies
A formal welcome to Massachusetts and the 2026 NASRA Annual Conference.
8:45 AM — NASRA Reports
NASRA staff will provide updates on federal relations, research and emerging issues affecting public retirement systems.
11:45 AM — Lunch
1:00 PM — Roll Call of the States - Part I
The core of the NASRA conference, Roll Call gives members an opportunity to share recent developments, policy activity, and operational updates from their systems.
2:00 PM — Investment Panel
Public pension investment professionals will discuss portfolio construction, risk management, governance, and long-term strategies in the current market environment.
3:15 PM — Roll Call of the States - Part II
Additional member updates from across the states.
6:00 PM — Reception & Dinner
An evening reception and dinner with a Boston and American history theme recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Republic.
 
Monday, August 10
7:30 AM — Breakfast Roundtable: RFP Process and Project Management Questions
8:45 AM — Second General Session
8:45 AM — Keynote Panel: Fireside Chat with Former Members of Congress
Former Congressman MIke Capuano (D-MA) and Greg Pence (R-IN) will share candid insights on Congress, governing, and the evolving political landscape.
10:15 AM — Pension Resilience, Governance and Education
A discussion focused on the information needed to understand and oversee public retirement systems in a changing environment. 
11:15 AM— Actuarial Panel
12:00 PM—Lunch, on your own (or boxed, depending on tour)
1:00 PM — Optional Networking Tours
Selected outings will allow attendees and guests to experience Boston beyond the conference room. Details will be provided as arrangements are finalized.
5:45 PM — NASRA President’s Reception
Evening social gathering. Dinner on your own.
 
Tuesday, August 11
7:30 AM — Breakfast Roundtable
8:30 AM — Third General Session
8:45 AM — Keynote on the Economy
A leading economic voice will discuss near-term conditions and long-term trends affecting public finance, investment strategy, labor markets, inflation, interest rates, and the broader economy.  
10:00 AM — Investment Consultant Panel
Investment consultants will discuss current market conditions, asset allocation, risk management, and the evolving role of consultants in supporting public pension governance and decision-making.
11:00 AM— Update from the National Institute for Retirement Research
12:00 PM — Past Presidents’ Lunch
1:30 PM — Roll Call of the States - Part III
Final member updates from across the states, looking over the current year and what may be on the horizon.
2:45 PM — Regional, Education Alliance, and Associate Meetings
Dedicated time for discussion among NASRA member groups.
3:45 PM — NASRA Annual Business Meeting
Open to all members; includes officer elections and association updates.
6:30 PM — Closing Dinner
Join colleagues for the conference closing dinner at the New England Aquarium located on Boston Harbor.
 
Wednesday, August 12
7:30 - 9:00 AM — Networking Breakfast
A final opportunity to share with colleagues before we say see you next year

Online Registration

Registration is Closed
Closed: 8/12/2026 11:45 PM

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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: Employee Contributions to Public Pension Plans

Employee contributions remain a central part of public pension financing, and the way those contributions are structured is subject to change depending each states' governance rules. . NASRA’s 2026 updated brief finds median employee contribution rates of 6.2 percent of pay for employees who participate in Social Security and 9.0 percent for those who do not. For employees who do not participate in Social Security, the public pension often plays a broader role in retirement security, effectively providing two of the traditional three legs of the retirement stool rather than one.

Since 2009, 41 states  increased employee contributions in at least one plan, while some states recently reduced rates for selected employees. Variable contributions are also becoming more common, with 26 plans in 17 states adjusting employee rates based on funding, plan costs, or other factors. The brief provides current trends and a state-by-state look at employee contribution requirements across public retirement systems.