Last week, more than 100 LAGERS plan administrators from across the state gathered in Springfield, Mo. at the DoubleTree Hotel for the third annual LAGERS Employer Administrators & Reporters Network (LEARN) Conference.
This year’s conference focused on providing opportunities for attendees to connect with each other and LAGERS staff, share personal experiences with colleagues, and receive personalized one-on-one time with a LAGERS employer services specialist.
Executive Director Bill Betts gives a LAGERS system overview for 2026 LEARN attendees on May 14, 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
LAGERS staff member Penny Thomas speaks with conference attendees at the annual LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14, 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
LAGERS staff member Penny Thomas speaks with conference attendees at the annual LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14, 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
Image of the five-year plaque awarded to Certified LAGERS Administrators (CLAs) who have been certified for five years in a row. The award was given at the 2026 LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14, 2026. 
Employer services specialists meet with a conference attendees during a custom one-on-one counseling session for LAGERS plan administrators at the annual LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. on May 13-14, 2026. 
A five-year plaque is awarded to two Certified LAGERS Administrators (CLAs) who have been certified for five years in a row. The award was given at the 2026 LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14, 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
Attendees pick up presentation materials and LAGERS resources at the communications booth during the 2026 annual LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
Employer Services Specialist Regan Nuener meets with an attendee during a custom one-on-one counseling session for LAGERS plan administrators at the annual LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. on May 13-14, 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
Attendees enjoy a popcorn snack provided at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. on May 13-14, 2026. 
Employer services specialists meet with a conference attendees during a custom one-on-one counseling session for LAGERS plan administrators at the annual LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. on May 13-14, 2026. 
A LAGERS plan administrator takes notes during the keynote address at the annual LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. on May 13-14, 2026. 
Employer Services Specialist Allison Heislan meets with an attendee during a custom one-on-one counseling session for LAGERS plan administrators at the annual LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. on May 13-14, 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026. 
LAGERS attendees participate in the Insights & Ideas Roundtable session at the LEARN Conference held in Springfield, Mo. May 13-14. 2026.
Established in 2023, LEARN provides LAGERS’ employers specialized training where attendees hear from LAGERS experts on topics such as the monthly reporting process, benefit administration, the technical aspects of working with the Employer Web Portal, and resources they can use to guide their employees through their careers and retirement.
Sessions included topics such as:
- An overview of the monthly reporting process
- Print and digital tools available
- Changing LAGERS benefit structures
- Helping employees through the retirement process
- Using myLAGERS effectively
A highlight of this year’s conference were the one-on-one employer counseling sessions, where LAGERS employer contacts had the opportunity to meet directly with their employer services specialist for personalized guidance.
“The employer services booths gave administrators dedicated time to talk through their specific questions with a LAGERS specialist,” said Dennise Schaben, LAGERS employer services manager. “That personalized support is what LEARN is all about: helping employer contacts feel informed, supported and confident as they administer their LAGERS plan.”
Specialists answered questions such as “How do I report military and workers’ compensation leave?” “How many people can be assigned to a role in ECLIPSE?” and “How do I upgrade our benefit plan?”
Attendees also earned the Certified LAGERS Administrator designation, which recognizes employer contacts who have completed training on the fundamentals of administering a LAGERS defined benefit plan.
For more information on LAGERS, participating in a LAGERS plan, or the LEARN Conference, visit molagers.org or email [email protected].
