Fast Facts & Helpful Resources on State and Local Retirement Systems

Introduction

This resource provides a high-level overview of state and local government retirement systems in the United States. It presents key facts, summary statistics, and charts on plan governance, funding and benefits, investments, and recent pension reform activity. The information is intended to serve as a quick-reference resource for policymakers, system staff, media, and the public, drawing on publicly available data and NASRA research to present a national snapshot of the public pension landscape.

Date published

January 2025

Contact

Jeannine Markoe Raymond, Director of Federal Relations

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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: 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.