NCPERS 2025 Year in Review (And What to Watch in 2026)
By: Hank Kim, Executive Director, NCPERS
This year, the NCPERS team has worked hard to make sure our members have the tools, resources, and networks they need to thrive. Here's a look back at some of the highlights—and a glimpse of what's ahead.
As the holidays approach, I find myself reflecting on what an extraordinary year it has been for NCPERS and the public pension community.
Despite ongoing market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, public pensions have continued to demonstrate strength and stability. In fact, the Milliman Public Pension Funding Index recently reported an average funded ratio of 86.3%, the highest since the index was created in 2016. That's something to celebrate and a powerful reminder of the resilience and fiscal discipline that define our community.
And at NCPERS, we've worked hard to make sure our members have the tools, resources, and networks they need to thrive. Here's a look back at some of the highlights—and a glimpse of what's ahead.
Expanding Education and Engagement
Education is at the heart of what we do, and in 2025 we expanded our offerings in exciting ways. We hosted 12 webinars and 13 in-person events, welcoming more than 3,900 attendees. Whether you joined us online or in Denver for our Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE), we hope you walked away with new insights and stronger connections.
To make learning even more accessible, we introduced Callan On Demand Education (CODE) as a new member benefit. Available at no cost to NCPERS members, this online learning platform offers fiduciary and investment coursework designed to strengthen governance and decision-making. If you haven't explored this new resource yet, contact membership@ncpers.org to get started.
We also welcomed Jessica Ransome to the NCPERS team as our Education Associate. She's quickly made an impact on our programs and looks forward to shaping the 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition agenda—so be sure to submit your speaker proposals by January 31!
What's next?
Join us in Washington, D.C. on January 26-28 for the 2026 Legislative Conference & Policy Day to explore the latest federal and state policy developments that may impact public pensions in 2026. With growing uncertainty around state budgets and economic policy, it's a critical time to stay informed and build relationships with policymakers. Register now.
New Awards Celebrate Industry Excellence
This year, we introduced two new awards at our Annual Conference & Exhibition in Denver to remind us that when we invest in education, we invest in the future of public pensions.
The NCPERS Champions Awards honors pension funds that exemplify a commitment to education, while the Pension Partners of the Year Awards recognizes service providers who have elevated learning experiences for trustees and staff. Congratulations to the inaugural recipients.
What's next?
Nominations are currently open for NCPERS Public Pension Communicator of the Year Award. If you know someone who goes above and beyond to keep members informed and engaged, submit your nomination by December 16.
Record Participation in Annual Studies Provides Actionable Data
Our research program reached new heights in 2025. Participation in our annual surveys—the Public Retirement Systems Study and Public Pension Compensation Survey—hit record levels, providing critical insights to help funds benchmark practices and plan for the future.
This summer, we published the 2025 research update of Unintended Consequences: How Scaling Back Public Pensions Puts Government Revenues at Risk, reinforcing the importance of public pensions for the economy and our communities.
What's next?
As the newest addition to our team, Matt Eckel, associate director of research, will help shape our research program in 2026. We look forward to sharing key findings from our 15th annual Public Retirement Systems Study early next year. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out at research@ncpers.org.
New Partnerships to Help Shape the Future of Our Industry
Through two new partnerships, we launched initiatives that will help shape the future of public retirement systems.
In February, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute and NCPERS announced the development of a new study focusing on U.S. public pension plan mortality data. Sponsored by NCPERS, the study will analyze in-depth data from more than 30 U.S. public pension systems spanning from 2022 to 2026.
NCPERS also partnered with the University of Chicago to engage the next generation of public pension leaders. The Pension Lab: NextGen Competition pairs student teams with pension professionals to explore innovative policy-driven solutions to improve the fiscal sustainability of public pensions. In August, the ideas were put to the test during the inaugural competition held during NCPERS Public Pension Funding Forum.
We look forward to sharing a research brief from the winning team in the coming months.
Looking Ahead: NCPERS Celebrates 85 Years of Serving Public Pensions
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be a milestone year—NCPERS' 85th anniversary. We're preparing to celebrate with a new website, a modernized database, and a refreshed brand that reflects how far we've come since 1941. These changes aren't just cosmetic; they're part of our commitment to evolve and meet the needs of our members today and tomorrow.
With new challenges and new opportunities ahead, we look forward to celebrating our 85th anniversary with you next year. Thank you for being part of this journey. Here's to an exciting 2026 and beyond!