Pension Advocacy in Action | January 26-28, 2026

Legislative Forum & Policy Day

Pension Advocacy in Action

Immerse yourself in policy-related issues that may impact public pensions during the Legislative Forum, then join us on the Hill to make your voice heard on Policy Day.

January 26–28, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

U.S. Capitol illustration for NCPERS Legislative Forum & Policy Day hero

Plan Your Experience

Agenda

Hear from influential speakers with timely policy discussions and opportunities to connect with peers who share your mission.

Sponsorship

Sponsoring puts your organization at the forefront of key public policy discussions affecting the public pension community.

Hotel Information

Experience the energy of Washington, D.C. at the Westin DC Downtown, the official location of the forum.

Register Now

Don't wait: Register now to join us on January 26-28 for NCPERS 2026 Legislative Forum & Policy Day!

Policy Day attendees gather for a group photo on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC 2024

Policy Day Attendees on the Hill, January 2024

About NCPERS 2026 Legislative Forum & Policy Day

Trustees, administrators, and plan leaders come together to engage directly with Congress, federal agencies, and the Administration, sharing insights and experiences that shape the future of retirement security. This powerful event is perfect for those involved in pension policy and advocacy efforts.

First, you’ll gain key insights from industry experts, lawmakers, and regulators to better understand the state and federal policy landscape during the Legislative Forum (January 26-27). Then, take that knowledge to Capitol Hill for scheduled meetings with Congressional leaders during Policy Day (January 27-28) to ensure your voice is heard.


“Each year, this conference delivers crucial insights into the legislative landscape shaping the year ahead in Washington, D.C. In today’s climate of uncertainty, with new administration policies and programs on the horizon, staying engaged is essential to safeguarding our members’ retirement security and benefits—including pensions, Social Security, and Medicare.” - Greg Markley, Secretary/Treasurer, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters

Who Should Attend NCPERS Legislative Forum & Policy Day?

Legislative Forum: Pension trustees, pension staff members, plan sponsors, and public plan stakeholders. We also encourage service providers of public pension community to attend and gain a deeper understanding of the critical issues impacting both current and prospective clients. 

While nonmember pension funds are eligible to attend, NCPERS members save nearly 50% on registration fees. Learn more about the many benefits of joining the NCPERS network.

Register Now

Policy Day: This is designed for public pension trustees, administrators, staff, and public sector employees who are passionate about advocating for retirement security. It's an ideal event for those looking to engage directly with lawmakers and influence legislative decisions that impact public pension systems.

NCPERS staff and professional lobbyists from Williams & Jensen will support attendees by helping to initiate meetings and navigate discussions. Please note: Policy Day registration has now closed.

Explore Advocacy Resources

2026 Legislative Forum & Policy Day Agenda Overview

Gain key insights from industry experts, lawmakers, and regulators to better understand the state and federal policy landscape during the Legislative Forum (January 26-27). to prepare you for the what's ahead. 

This year, Policy Day will span both Tuesday and Wednesday (January 27–28) on Capitol Hill to maximize participation and impact. NCPERS will coordinate your congressional meetings, so you can focus entirely on influencing change and making your voice heard. View the full agenda.

Monday, January 26
  • Registration for the Legislative Forum opens at noon. Get your materials early and get a head start on the conference.
  • Kick off the Forum with the Opening General Session starting at 2:00 PM. 
  • Attending Policy Day? Don’t miss the 5:00 PM Prep Session that will get you ready for your upcoming meetings.
  • Join us right after the general session for the networking reception, your chance to exchange ideas and stories with colleagues.
Tuesday, January 27
  • After breakfast, join us for the general session starting at 8:00 AM.
  • Don’t miss the NCPERS Policymaker of the Year Award presentation at 11:30 AM where we recognize a policymaker who has made a significant positive impact on public pensions or contributed to advancing retirement security. This year’s awardee is Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger.
  • Policy Day kicks off after the Networking Lunch with the first set of congressional meetings starting after lunch.
  • Let’s gather for happy hour to share our experiences and stories from Capitol Hill!
Wednesday, January 28
  • Day two of Policy Day continues with breakfast at 8 AM.
  • Policy Day participants continue scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill.
Attendees can earn up to 6.5 Continuing Education (CE) hours toward your Accredited Fiduciary (AF) recertification and/or state-mandated continuing education requirements. CE credits are automatically recorded in your NCPERS membership account after the conference, where you can log in to download your CE certificate. 

Legislative Forum FAQs

Yes. We share slides for sessions where speakers have given permission on our website and in the event app (when applicable).
No. The sessions are open to everyone. If the program includes limited-capacity workshops, we will specify in advance if sign-ups are required.
No. The Legislative Forum is offered in person only. Sessions will not be recorded.
Yes. Continuing education credits will be available, and details on applicable credit hours will be shared once the program is finalized. Please note that this program does not offer CPE credits, as NCPERS is not currently a CPE sponsor.

Policy Day FAQs 

No. Policy Day is designed for participants at all experience levels. An orientation session will be held at the Legislative Forum and at the Policy Day breakfast to review the schedule, discuss advocacy best practices, and outline key talking points.
NCPERS schedules meetings with Members of Congress and congressional staff based on each participant’s home state and district. Attendees will receive their meeting schedules prior to Policy Day. To avoid duplicate requests and scheduling conflicts, participants should not schedule their own congressional meetings.
Yes. There is a registration fee for Policy Day. The fee includes participation in the orientation session, scheduled congressional meetings, and meals or events listed on the agenda.
Business attire is recommended for all Policy Day activities, including congressional meetings.

Public pension leaders attend meetings on the Hill, Washingt

Policy Day Attendees on the Hill, January 2025

Effective Advocacy Starts with Understanding the Policy Landscape: Join Us in Washington, D.C.

From state budget forecasts to Social Security, you'll find actionable insights at NCPERS Legislative Forum (January 27-28) to prepare you for the what's ahead and prepare you for Policy Day. This year, Policy Day will span both Tuesday and Wednesday (January 27–28) on Capitol Hill, giving attendees greater flexibility to meet with their congressional delegations and maximize participation and impact. NCPERS will coordinate your congressional meetings, so you can focus entirely on influencing change and making your voice heard.


Stay at the Center of It All: The Westin DC Downtown

Experience the energy of Washington, D.C. at The Westin DC Downtown, the official location of the Legislative Conference. Just steps away are the National Mall, iconic monuments, and Smithsonian museums. Within a short walk, you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Chinatown, events at Capital One Arena, and trendy dining and shopping in CityCenterDC.

  • NCPERS Room Rate: $299 per night (plus tax)
  • Reservation Deadline: Monday, January 5
  • Reservation Phone: Call 202-898-9000 and request the NCPERS room block 

Now that the booking deadline has passed, rooms and rates are subject to hotels availability and discretion. For more information on NCPERS room block, The Westin DC Downtown, and travel routes click here.

The Westin DC Downtown

Thank You to Our Sponsor

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact Cassandra Smoot at csmoot@ncpers.org or 202-601-2447.