Noteworthy News ■

1

BOARD OF TRUSTEESAntwaun Smith - Board Chair

Lori Neidel - Vice ChairLaura Davis

Representative Caleb JonesSenator Joe Keaveny

Senator John LampingRepresentative Mike Leara

Don MartinCommissioner Doug Nelson

Treasurer Clint Zweifel

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORGary Findlay

MAILING ADDRESSPO Box 209

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0209

BUILDING LOCATION907 Wildwood Drive Jefferson City, MO

OFFICE HOURS7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • Monday - Friday

PHONE(573) 632-6100 • (800) 827-1063

AUTOMATED PHONE OPTIONSDeferred Compensation/MCHCP. ..........1Password Assistance .................................2Change Email/Mailing Address ...............3 Benefit Counselor ....................................4Investments .............................................5Dial Employee by Name .........................8Operator .................................................0

FAX(573) 632-6103

MISSOURI RELAY7-1-1 (Voice) • (800) 735-2966 (TTY)

EMAILmosers@mosers.org

WEBSITEwww.mosers.org

Graphic Designer - Tracy UpschulteWriter/Editor - Jade Elwess

Noteworthy News

3 Pay Cards In the spring of 2013 MOSERS will

begin offering prepaid debit cards as an option for receiving monthly benefit payments.

3 COLA Rate Cost-of-living adjustment recently

announced for 2013.

Board Corner

4 Announcements Trustees elect Antwaun Smith as new

board chair and announce newly appointed members.

Life Planning

5 Tax Information Take time to review your 1099-R

and tax withholding amounts.

5 2013 Calendar MOSERS isn't closed on all state

holidays. This convenient calendar highlights our holiday and mailing schedule, and lets you know when to expect your monthly benefit payment.

6 Retiree Connection Information and schedule now

available for spring Coffee Breaks.

Retirement & You

7 Real Retirements Meet Kathleen Wiley - a MOSERS

retiree dedicated to helping others.

8 Introducing New Tagline MOSERS' new tagline reinforces

our mission and commitment to financial security for our members.

RetireeNews is published quarterly by the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System. To obtain an alternative format of this publication, please contact MOSERS.

This publication is designed using stock photography. The photographs chosen are for illustrative purposes only; they do not imply any particular attitudes, behaviors, or actions on the part of any person who appears in the photographs.

Noteworthy News ■

3

PaychekPLUSExpanding Your Payment OptionsCurrently about 96% of MOSERS beneficiaries receive their payments through direct deposit. Starting in the spring of 2013, MOSERS will begin offering a prepaid debit card as an option for receiving monthly benefit payments.

If you receive a paper check, we encourage you to consider this payment option, as it allows you immediate access to your benefit payment on the last working day of each month. This pay card can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted.

For more information about the PaychekPLUS card and how to enroll, contact us at (573) 632-6100 or (800) 827-1063, option 4.

Benefit Payments2013 COLA Rate AnnouncedThe cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2013 is 1.655%. This will be effective for MSEP retirees who have reached their original 65% COLA cap under MSEP, or who were first hired on or after August 28th, 1997, and for members retired under MSEP 2000 regardless of date of hire (see sidebar for legislators and MSEP members who have not yet reached their COLA cap).

The purpose of a COLA for any type of pay or retirement benefit is to help you cope with inflation. COLAs help you maintain your purchasing power as inflation increases the cost of various items you buy.

Missouri state law stipulates that each January MOSERS must compare the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the calendar year just completed (2012) to the average CPI from the prior year (2011) to determine the percentage change between the two years. By law, COLAs are based on 80% of the percentage increase in the average CPI from one year to the next.

In determining the CPI, the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates average monthly costs, and then uses those to measure larger economic trends on a yearly basis.

To learn more about the CPI, the Bureau of Labor Statistics includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on their website at www.bls.gov. MOSERS has more information about the 2013 COLA in the Retiree section of our website. You can also get more historical information on the following topics on our website:

• COLA amounts from 2000-2013

• How MOSERS Calculates COLAs

• 2013 COLA calculation memo

• When COLAs are payable

We also have a brief video in our Retiree Video Library on MOSERS’ website that explains how COLAs are determined.

COLA Exceptions Legislators and MSEP Members Who Have Not Yet Met Their COLA Cap

If you are a retired legislator who took office after July 1, 2000, your benefit will be adjusted according to the percentage increase in pay for an active member of the general assembly. No other COLAs will be provided. If you retired under MSEP, and were hired before August 28, 1997, you will receive a minimum 4% COLA until accumulated COLAs reach 65% of your initial (or original) benefit. This is called your COLA cap. Upon reaching

the cap, your COLA will be calculated like other retirees

and will range from 0% to 5% each year depending on the increase in the Consumer

Price Index.

4

■ Board Corner

Board Corner Announcing New Officers & Appointments

Officer Elections

Antwaun Smith, co-founder of the Smith Law Office, based in St. Joseph and Kansas City, was elected chair of MOSERS' Board of Trustees. Mr. Smith serves on the MOSERS board as a governor appointed member and began his term on August 10, 2011.

Lori Neidel, who was appointed by the governor in November 2010, was elected as vice-chair of the board of trustees. Ms. Neidel is the founder of a law practice that provides compliance and regulatory affairs counsel for the financial industry. She advises broker-dealers and investment advisers in matters of compliance, and represents financial professionals in regulatory investigations and proceedings.

Newly Appointed Members

Senators John Lamping (24th district) and Joe Keaveny (4th district) were appointed to the MOSERS Board of Trustees by Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey on January 11, 2013.

Senator John LampingSenator Lamping is a native of St. Louis. He is a graduate of St. Louis University High School and earned his degree in economics from Princeton University. After graduation, he moved to Manhattan and began work as a currency trader. He later obtained an MBA in finance from New York University.

Senator Lamping works as the branch manager for a major St. Louis-based securities brokerage firm and is very active in his community. He has served as a member of the finance board and as parish council president for St. Alphonsus Church and as the treasurer for Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis. He is currently serving as the endowment chair for St. Louis University High School, is a member of the stewardship committee for Our Lady of the Pillar and is a member of the endowment committee for the St. Louis City Academy.

Senator Joe KeavenySenator Joe Keaveny was first elected to represent the citizens of the 4th Senatorial District, which includes the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, during a special election on Nov. 3, 2009, to fill an unexpired term. Senator Keaveny completed the unexpired term on Jan. 5, 2011 and was re-elected to a full term, which will expire in 2014. He was recently elected by his colleagues to serve as Senate Minority Caucus Chair. In addition to his legislative duties, Sen. Keaveny practices in the trust and probate section of Weiss Attorneys at Law and continues to serve as committeeman for the 28th Ward in St. Louis, Mo.

He earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and holds a master’s degree in finance, in addition to a law degree, both from St. Louis University.

For the past 20 years, Senator Keaveny has worked in the banking industry, managing portfolios for high-income individuals and later managing compliance issues with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for U.S. Bank. For several years, he volunteered as a board member for the Skinker-DeBaliviere Housing Corporation, learning first-hand the challenges of rebuilding derelict properties, which led to a strong advocacy for state historic tax credits. Senator Keaveny continues to work with the Missouri Bar on legislation relating to trusts and retirement.

Antwaun SmithBoard Chair

Lori NeidelVice-Chair

Senator Lamping

Senator Keaveny

5

Life Planning ■Taxes and Your Benefit1099-R & Tax Withholding FormsRefer to the winter RetireeNews for information on understanding your 1099-R form if you haven't already. You can also access your 1099-R form online if you need a replacement copy. If you have questions regarding this information, we suggest you contact your tax advisor.

Don’t forget that you may change the taxes withheld from your MOSERS benefit payment at any time. Simply complete the Substitute W-4P Withholding Certificate for MOSERS Benefit Payments form. There are two ways to do this:

• Go online to MOSERS’ website • Click on the Retirees tab • On the Forms page under Taxes click on Substitute W-4P • Complete the form, print it out, and mail it to MOSERS

Or,

• Log in to your secure Member Homepage with your MOSERS password • On the left hand menu under Forms, click on Tax Withholding • Complete the information and submit it to MOSERS securely

There is a helpful video in MOSERS’ online Video Library that explains federal tax deductions and your MOSERS benefit.

January _____________________ 1 New Year’s Day 21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day31 Scheduled benefit payment*

February ____________________ 12 Lincoln Day (observed) 18 Washington’s Birthday28 Scheduled benefit payment

March ______________________– Spring RetireeNews newsletter 29 Scheduled Benefit Payment

April ________________________15 Tax Day 30 Scheduled Benefit Payment

MOSERS' Office Open MOSERS' Office Closed

October _____________________14 Columbus Day 31 Scheduled Benefit Payment

November ___________________ 11 Veterans Day 28 Thanksgiving Day

29 Scheduled Benefit Payment

December ___________________– Winter RetireeNews newsletter (includes Summary Annual  Financial Report) 25 Christmas Day31 Scheduled Benefit Payment

May _______________________8 Truman Day27 Memorial Day31 Scheduled Benefit Payment

June _______________________– Summer RetireeNews newsletter28 Scheduled Benefit Payment

July _________________________4 Independence Day31 Scheduled Benefit Payment

August ______________________30 Scheduled Benefit Payment

September __________________ 2 Labor Day – Fall RetireeNews newsletter 30 Scheduled Benefit Payment

MOSERS' 2013 CalendarHoliday Schedule, Mailings & Benefit Payments

* The benefit payment schedule is also available online (located under the Retirees tab) for your convenience.

6

■ Life Planning

Jefferson City

MOSERS907 Wildwood Dr.

March 27, 2013 • 9:00 a.m.Registration Closed*

April 17, 2013 • 9:00 a.m.Registration Closed*

* We are including the dates as they appear on the schedule for the Jefferson City location, but currently these CoffeeBreaks are full and registration is now closed.

IndependenceMetropolitan Community College

Blue River Campus20301 East 78 Highway

Public Safety Institute Bldg.Room 150 (new meeting room)

April 10, 2013 • 12:30 p.m.

ChillicotheMildred Litton

4-H/FFA Community Center10856 LIV 235

(Off Highway 190, 1½ miles west of U.S. Hwy. 65)

Litton Agri-Science Learning Center

April 11, 2013 • 9:00 a.m.

Columbia

Missouri Employers Mutual101 N. Keene St

May 9, 2013 • 9:00 a.m.

Retiree ConnectionSpring Coffee Breaks MOSERS, in association with our Retiree Connection group, hosted post-retirement Coffee Breaks in the fall of 2012 and will finish the fiscal year 2013 Coffee Break schedule this spring. These Coffee Breaks allow us to reach out to our retirees, give you a chance to have face-to-face communication with MOSERS staff, and provide you with the opportunity to interact with other state retirees in your area.

Topics for this fiscal year include:

• MOSERS Update presented by MOSERS' staff

• Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matterspresented by the Alzheimer’s Association

– Learn the difference between age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

– Gain an understanding of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease and learn about causes and risk factors for AD.

– Gain a better understanding of the benefits of healthy aging, including brain wellness and some prevention and lifestyle changes.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s presentation covers an important topic that concerns many of our retirees. To ensure that we allow adequate time to cover this topic, this fiscal year’s Coffee Breaks will last 3 hours. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited so reservations are necessary.

How to Enroll in a Coffee Break You must log in to the secure Member Homepage to enroll in a Coffee Break. After logging in, click on the Coffee Break link in the left menu beneath the Seminar Enrollment header. The enrollment program will walk you through the rest of the process.

If you cannot enroll online or have questions about your Coffee Break enrollment, call (573) 632-6194 or (800) 827-1063, ext. 6194 or email maggier@mosers.org. We hope to see you soon!

Spring dates listed are current as of this newsletter going to print, but you

should go online to www.mosers.org/Retirees/coffee-break.aspx or call

MOSERS to get the most up-to-date information and to make sure the

date you want isn’t full.

7

Retirement & You ■Real RetirementsKathleen (Kat) Wiley - Emergency Service VolunteerMOSERS has many retirees who dedicate their time to helping others, either through volunteering or even a second career. We recently interviewed one of these retirees, Kat Wiley, who, with her husband, Jim, served a critical role in providing emergency services during many disasters on the Gulf Coast.

Which state agency are you retired from? What was your position and how long did you work there?I was a unit supervisor for the Missouri Department of Corrections – Probation and Parole in Springfield, Missouri. I worked 23½ years for the state and was eligible for retirement on April 1, 2012. I jumped at the chance to retire, not because I needed to get away, but to reside with my husband, Jim Wiley, where he was working in Mississippi. Jim retired from the Department of Conservation about seven years ago and couldn’t be the traditional retiree. He went to work for the Government Printing Office at Stennis Space Center about four years ago.

Explain what you do in emergency services? Is it paid or volunteer work? Jim and I met in Civil Air Patrol in Missouri. This is an auxiliary of the Air Force. He was a commander in the then-Jefferson City Squadron and I was a commander in the Marshall Squadron. After we were married, we continued our involvement in Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as volunteers. CAP has three goals, aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency service. We were both involved in the emergency service of the 1993 flood, multiple tornadoes in southern Missouri, Hurricane Katrina, the Joplin, Missouri tornado, Hurricane Gustoff and Hurricane Isaac. We have both taken the emergency service courses with FEMA, MEMA and SEMA. This is

all volunteer work. When I came to Mississippi, I started wanting to do more during the possible hurricane emergencies, so I went to Harrison County Emergency Service in Gulfport Mississippi to volunteer my time. This was about 2 weeks prior to the Isaac disaster.

What kind of assistance do you give during those disasters? During Katrina, Jim and I were on ground teams. We were tasked to go door-to-door in certain neighborhoods and evaluate their needs and wants. We took food, water, medical supplies, and information about school openings, where a veteran could get medication, about Walmart supplying free medication with a prescription, and even where a horse owner could get horse feed. The people we served ended up serving us, too. They were so gracious. They would ask us to sit with them at their picnic table and have a glass of sweet tea. This was a huge reason why Jim and I chose to move to Mississippi. During Gustaff, I worked with CAP doing aerial surveillance of the flooded river areas.

During Isaac, the Civil Air Patrol was tasked to survey flooded areas and take photos to be submitted to FEMA so they could find the best ways to get through the flood waters to help individuals.

Why this line of work in retirement? We were doing this type of volunteering prior to retirement, so it was natural

that we give as much as we can after we retire. At this time, Jim is the Mississippi Civil Air Patrol Wing Emergency Service Officer (a position he had previously held in Missouri) and I am the liaison for Homeland Security and Counter Drugs for the Mississippi Wing. I would recommend anyone, both retired or not, to get active in their community. You get to learn more about your community and gain confidence in the area you choose.

What advice would you have for other retirees who are thinking about volunteering or going into a line of work where they help others? Keep working, moving and helping others. It gives so much more than you can ever imagine! I also recommend that couples volunteer together. When you have so much in common, it allows you to talk about everything under the sun! I love talking about my grandchildren in Springfield, Greenridge and Jefferson City, but you need to have that common bond that keeps you growing together.

Share your stories about volunteering or working after retirement with other retirees in our newsletter. Send article and high resolution photo (300 dpi) to jadee@mosers.org. Keep in mind that MOSERS may edit your story due to space limitations.

PO Box 209Jefferson City MO 65102-0209

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDJefferson City, MO

Permit No. 327

RetireeNews Newsletter

We Are Here for Your BenefitNew Tagline . . . Same Financial CommitmentIn the coming months, you may notice that MOSERS has a new look to its member communications. Our new tagline, We Are Here for Your Benefit, will be added to all of our publications and our website as an indication of our commitment to strive for excellence in how we serve our members over the phone, in person, and online. Our new tagline reinforces what motivates each one of us as we do our jobs every day—you, our members. Every single staff person is here to help you advance your financial security. Along with this new look, you’ll get to know the faces of MOSERS and the various departments that work together behind the scenes to ensure that retirement benefits are paid accurately and on time.

THE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION IS HERE FOR YOUR BENEFIT!

Our mission is to provide exceptionally well-designed and delivered written, electronic and in-person education to our members so they can make well-informed, smart decisions about their MOSERS benefits. Here are a few things we do every day for our members:

• Update and continually increase functionality on the MOSERS website• Conduct educational seminars in 16-plus cities around the state each year• Produce various publications and educational videos for print and web• Host and post educational webinars online• Use social media resources to disseminate important information online

■ Retirement & You