Plan Updates

New Years Holiday Update

The New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Friday, January 1, 2016 in observance of New Year's Day.

Due to the holiday, transactions submitted via Account Access after 3:00 p.m. central time (CT) on Thursday, December 31, will be processed as of the close of business on Monday, January 4.

If you need assistance, please select the "Contact Us" option from any page within Account Access. Participant service representatives will be available to assist you from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, December 31 and the Call Center will reopen at 7:30 a.m. CT on Monday, January 4.

Have a great holiday.

Christmas Holiday Update

The New York Stock Exchange will close early on Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) and will be closed on Friday, December 25, 2015 in observance of Christmas.

Due to the holiday, transactions submitted via Account Access after 12:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, December 24th, will be processed as of the close of business on Monday, December 28th.

Our call center will be available to assist you from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, December 24, and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. CT on Monday, December 28th.

Have a great holiday

Financial Status Survey Results

This past October the Plan conducted an anonymous Financial Status Survey to better gauge participants' spending and saving habits. Sent via email to all active deferred compensation plan participants, the results of the survey will help the Plan improve its custom education and communication efforts.

View the Financial Status Survey Results

New Missouri Stable Income Fund Rate

The Missouri Stable Income Fund annualized credited rate effective first quarter 2016 (January 1 - March 31, 2016) will be 2.25%.

Thanksgiving Holiday Update

The New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Thursday, November 26, 2015 and will close early at 12:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Friday, November 27, 2015 in observance of Thanksgiving. Consequently, transactions will not be processed on Thursday, November 26 or after 12 p.m. CT on Friday, November 27. Transactions submitted via Account Access after 12 p.m. on Friday, November 27, will be processed as of the close of business on Monday, November 30. If you need assistance, please select the Contact Us option from any page within Account Access. The local Plan office will also be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, but Investor Services staff will be available to assist you over the phone from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT on Friday, November 27. The Call Center will reopen at 7:30 a.m. CT on Monday, November 30.

Have an enjoyable holiday weekend.

November 2015 DC Update

Spending long hours outdoors this month? See what the Missouri wilderness can teach you about retirement savings in the November edition of the DC Update. Plus, don't forget you can access your deferred compensation plan account at any time, from (almost) any location on your mobile device.

View the NOVEMBER 2015 DC Update

Protect the Next Generation of Savers

Designate a Beneficiary for Your Account

Fall is a busy time in the workplace as you enroll for next year's benefits. As you're looking over your situation and considering how to best protect yourself and loved ones, don't forget to designate a beneficiary for your retirement savings account. While it's often an overlooked account management step, designating a beneficiary is arguably one of the most important decisions you will make. Your designation will ensure that your savings will be transferred to the proper parties should something happen to you. Without a beneficiary designation, a probate court could ultimately decide how your money will be distributed, costing your loved ones time, heartache and possibly money.

Next Steps: Designating a Beneficiary Online

IRS Contribution Limits Remain Unchanged, Saver's Credit Limits Increase for 2016

Pension plan contribution limitations will not change for 2016 because the increase in the cost-of-living index did not meet the statutory thresholds that trigger their adjustment. Below are the contribution limits for the 2016 tax year.

Maximum Annual Deferral – under age 50 $18,000
Age 50 and Over Catch-up Provision Limit $6,000
Pre-Retirement Catch-up Provision Limit $18,000

While contribution limits did not change, there was an increase to the adjusted gross income (AGI) limits for the saver’s credit, which is for low- and moderate-income workers. The new limits will be $61,500 for married couples filing jointly, up from $61,000; $46,125 for heads of household, up from $45,750; and $30,750 for married individuals filing separately and for singles, up from $30,500.

We Rep-Percent Savings

National Retirement Security Week encourages workers to focus on their financial futures. To celebrate the occasion, Missouri employees are jumping on the We Rep-Percent Savings bandwagon. Join the movement today.

READ MORE

October 2015 DC Update

Retirement planning should be an important part of your overall financial plan, but don't take our word for it. See what advice soon-to-be-retired state employees had for their newer coworkers in the October edition of the DC Update.

VIEW THE OCTOBER 2015 DC UPDATE

New Missouri Stable Income Fund Rate

The Missouri Stable Income Fund annualized credited rate effective fourth quarter 2015 (October 1 - December 31, 2015) will remain at 2.30%.

September 2015 DC Update

You may think employee benefits only matter while you’re working. Fortunately for you the deferred compensation plan can be a valuable employee benefit long after you leave state employment. See what the buzz is all about in the September edition of the DC Update.

VIEW THE SEPTEMBER 2015 DC UPDATE

Volatile Market Conditions and Your Retirement Savings

The recent market selloff has produced volatile market conditions. In unpredictable times, it's easy to lose sight of long-term investment and savings goals by taking immediate actions to protect your portfolio. But market history and common sense investing would advise against it. If you choose to take immediate action, you could negatively impact your retirement savings.

The market, by nature, fluctuates on an almost daily basis. As an investor in a retirement savings plan, review your portfolio's performance over longer periods of time to help put market volatility in perspective. Measuring performance this way will prevent you from making investment decisions based on short-term market fluctuations, and will better prepare you to meet your long-term savings goals.

August DC Update

How much do you know about your possible retirement paycheck sources? Take a dip with the August DC Update to gain a better understanding of how you'll stay afloat financially in retirement. Plus, learn more about the role the deferred compensation plan plays in your retirement strategy, including the different ways you can contribute to your savings account.

VIEW THE AUGUST 2015 DC UPDATE

July DC Update

It's easy to get lost while navigating toward your retirement destination. Luckily the State of Missouri Deferred Compensation Plan offers numerous resources to help keep you on track. The July DC Update highlights six of these tools. This edition also includes a Retirement IQ Scavenger Hunt recap and a reminder about 2nd quarter statements.

VIEW THE JULY 2015 DC UPDATE

New York Stock Exchange Halted

At this time, the New York Stock Exchange has halted trading due to an internal technical issue. Deferred compensation plan participants can still submit financial transactions online through Account Access or by speaking with a participant services representative. Additional information will be provided when it becomes available.

Independence Day Update

The New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2015 in observance of Independence Day. Due to the holiday, transactions submitted via Account Access after 3:00 p.m. Central time (CT) on Thursday, July 2, will be processed as of the close of business on Monday, July 6. The Plan’s call center will reopen at 7:30 a.m. CT on Monday, July 6.

Have a fun and safe holiday weekend.

Retirement IQ Scanvenger Hunt

The New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2015 in observance of Independence Day. Due to the holiday, transactions submitted via Account Access after 3:00 p.m. Central time (CT) on Thursday, July 2, will be processed as of the close of business on Monday, July 6. The Plan’s call center will reopen at 7:30 a.m. CT on Monday, July 6.

For employees who were unable to pick up a cooler at Employee Recognition Day, an education specialist will personally deliver it to your agency within the next few weeks. In addition to the giveaways, participating employees were also entered into the Plan's random prize drawing. Those winners are:

  • Carman Jamison - Goal-Specific Financial Plan ($175 value)
  • Cindy Heislen - $15 Restaurant Gift Card
  • Eric Foster - $15 Restaurant Gift Card
  • Janice Wieberg - $15 Restaurant Gift Card

Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success.

The Hunt is Over

The Retirement IQ Scavenger Hunt is complete! Thanks to everyone who participated. Because of the overwhelming response, please be patient as we work through the submissions. Prize winners will be announced next week (June 15-19) and the giveaways will be distributed by our education specialists in the coming weeks. Once the winning entries are compiled, we will contact winners directly to arrange a time and place to pick up their giveaway. Thanks again for your participation in the Retirement IQ Scavenger Hunt.

VIEW THE ANSWERS