Impacted Audiences: All MERS municipalities

Details: Effective January 1, 2019, we are asking all customers to establish an authorized signatory to execute contracts with MERS. This change is in an effort to ensure consistency and compliance when completing legally-binding documents.

The authorized signatory will be a designated position (ex: Finance Director, Administrator), not a person. You will have the option to choose up to three positions to serve as signatories. Employees in this role will be authorized to sign MERS' contracts relating to the adoption, amendment and termination of MERS' products, and defined benefit service credit purchase approvals.

Municipalities have the option to opt out of selecting an authorized signatory. However, in that event, all contracts related to the above mentioned items will need to be accompanied by Board minutes showing approval.

Impacted Audiences: All participants with a participant directed account (Defined Contribution, including DC PLUS and the DC portion of Hybrid, Health Care Savings Program, 457 Program and MERS IRA) and employers with RHFV and/or ISP

Details: In an effort to provide our customers with superior value and plan transparency, MERS conducts an annual pricing review for all of the plans we offer. Through operational efficiencies and continued growth, MERS has been able to consistently reduce our costs. Since 2012 costs have been reduced seven times.

Effective January 1, 2019, MERS is once again reducing the operational cost on participant directed accounts and institutional funds by two basis points ($0.20 per $1,000 invested). Specific programs impacted include:

- MERS Defined Contribution Plan

- MERS Hybrid Plan (defined contribution portion only)

- MERS Heath Care Savings Program

- MERS 457 Program

- MERS IRA

- MERS Retiree Health Funding Vehicle

- Investment Services Program

Additionally, due to cost savings as a result of partnering with a new claims administrator, we are able to remove the $24/year administrative fee currently accessed to Health Care Savings Program participant accounts.

Impacted Audiences: MERS participants who have a participant directed account (MERS Defined Contribution Plan (including DC Plus), Hybrid, Health Care Savings Program or 457 Program) and municipalities with a Retiree Heath Funding Vehicle or Investment Services Program

Details: Participants and employers are now able to allocate their investments in incremental percentages (ex: 10.25%). Previously, investments could only be allocated in whole numbers or in whole dollars. ...Learn more