As a public retirement system, LAGERS is subject to Missouri’s Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo). The Missouri Sunshine Law is a state law that gives the public the right to see the records and attend the meetings of government bodies like LAGERS as well as cities, counties, and public agencies. Just as some of the information you hold as a local government employer is public record, so is some of the information LAGERS holds about your employees and retirees. When we receive a Sunshine Law request for that information, we are required to release it.
LAGERS is committed to protecting our members’ and employers’ privacy. Ensuring our members know what information we may have to disclose can help eliminate unwelcome surprises. It is important to know that we never disclose members’ information unless we receive a valid request that legally requires us to do so. With each Sunshine Law request, LAGERS carefully reviews the request and closes every record the law allows us to close. Personal details that could put a member at risk are never shared publicly.
What may be disclosed
Because LAGERS is considered a governmental body, our pension benefit information is generally considered a matter of public interest. As a result, information such as the following may be released upon request:
- A member’s or retiree’s name
- Their employer and membership status
- Benefit amounts and the dates benefits are paid
What stays protected
Records that are closed by law remain confidential. This generally includes:
- Social Security numbers and dates of birth
- Bank account and direct deposit information
- Medical records, including disability application files
- Beneficiary designations and other personal account details
If an employee asks why their information might be public, reassure them that LAGERS shares only what Missouri law requires and protects everything else. If you or your employees have questions about a specific situation, please contact LAGERS at [email protected].
