Senator Mike Bernskoetter

6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

Dec. 20, 2024

Capitol Building, Room 416

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Kenny Ross: 

 573-751-2076

Helping our Sheriff’s Retirement

This week I would like to talk to you about Senate Bill 188, another one of the bills I have pre-filed for this coming legislative session. This bill is another attempt to help sheriffs across Missouri. They are facing a major shortfall in their pension system and need help from the legislature to find a way to ensure its solvency to continue supporting retired sheriffs into the future.

While this bill does not directly fund the sheriff’s pension fund it will help clear the waters by removing funding mechanisms that have not worked and allow us to bring the conversation to new solutions.

Sheriffs play a critical role in the public safety system of Missouri. They serve as the chief law enforcement officers in their respective counties, manage county jails and ensure public order within their jurisdictions. They are also responsible for executing court orders, such as serving subpoenas and enforcing evictions. The position of sheriff is also elected by the people of their respective county, meaning they provide a valuable voice to the people of this state in regard to public safety.

For the past few years, it has become clear that the sheriff’s retirement fund is facing a major shortfall in funding. Without efforts to help this fund, it will run out of money within ten years. There is not a large pool of sheriffs in this state, one per county and one for the City of St. Louis, but that also means there aren’t many people paying into the pension system. As a result, with people living longer due to advances in healthcare, a growing number of people are drawing down funds from the pension system.

It is a common problem that many pension systems across the nation are facing. Senate Bill 188 is my effort to work with Missouri sheriffs to find a solution. My hope is that by helping fund their pension system into the future, we will also help retain quality law enforcement officers that serve a critical role in our public safety system.

We need the best members of our community, with the most dedication to protecting and serving, to want to be our sheriffs. In outstate Missouri, sheriff departments are the key law enforcement agency offering protection. My hope is that as SB 188 works its way through the legislative process we can ensure the pensions of our Missouri sheriffs are protected.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.