Press Release

NCPERS Honors Pension Funds, Service Providers for Fiduciary Education Excellence

Issued by National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems [NCPERS]

May 20, 2026

Las Vegas, NV — NCPERS honored the recipients of its 2026 Champions Award and Pension Partners of the Year Award today, recognizing public pension funds and service providers that are advancing fiduciary education and strengthening industry collaboration.

The awards were presented May 19 during NCPERS 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE) in Las Vegas, one of the longest-running educational events for public pension professionals.

As public pension systems operate in an increasingly complex environment, NCPERS leaders emphasized the growing importance of sustained professional development and peer engagement across the industry.

"The demands on public pension fiduciaries continue to evolve," said Hank Kim, CEO of NCPERS. "Organizations that prioritize education, invest in their teams, and engage with the broader pension community are better positioned to navigate risk, strengthen governance, and deliver long-term retirement security."

This year's awards carry added significance as NCPERS celebrates 85 years of serving the public pension community — a legacy built on bringing people together to share knowledge, strengthen governance, and secure the retirement futures of millions of public servants.

NCPERS Champions Awards: Advancing Fiduciary Excellence

The NCPERS Champions Awards recognize public pension funds that demonstrate exceptional commitment to ongoing education and leadership development. The 2026 awards were presented in three categories based on assets under management:

• Less than $1 billion AUM: West Palm Beach General Employees' Pension Fund
• $1 billion to $50 billion AUM: Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS)
• Greater than $50 billion AUM: Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (Colorado PERA)

Award recipients were evaluated based on their organization-wide participation in NCPERS educational programs in 2025, including conferences, forums, summits, and training initiatives designed to support strong governance practices and drive operational efficiencies.

Service Providers Recognized for Industry Engagement

The Pension Partners of the Year Awards recognize service providers that contribute to industry education through conference participation, thought leadership, and support of professional development programs.

The 2026 honorees are:

• Ice Miller LLP
• J.P. Morgan Asset Management
• Segal

These firms played a key role in delivering technical expertise and practical insights to pension boards and staff in 2025, particularly as systems adapt to changing financial and regulatory environments.

Advancing the Future of Public Pensions

As the public pension landscape continues to evolve, the need for continuing education, informed perspectives, and strong peer connections has never been greater. NCPERS remains committed to its mission to connect and empower public pension leaders with the skills, strategies, and networks to solve today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's.

Through programs like the Annual Conference & Exhibition, NCPERS brings together trustees, administrators, service providers, and industry leaders to collaborate, learn, and lead with confidence.

"Our industry benefits when professionals share knowledge and learn from one another," Kim said. "These award recipients demonstrate how ongoing engagement and collaboration can translate into stronger, more resilient pension systems."

About NCPERS

Since 1941, NCPERS has been the trusted partner for public pension leaders across local, county, and state retirement systems. Through practical education, timely insights, and a welcoming peer community, we help members strengthen their funds and secure the futures of more than 20 million teachers, police officers, firefighters, municipal workers, and other public servants.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NCPERS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization proudly representing a diverse membership that includes more than 650 public sector retirement systems, plan sponsors, unions, and service providers who collectively manage approximately $6 trillion in retirement assets.

NCPERS is more than an association. We are the industry's hub for connection, catalyst for progress, and partner working to strengthen retirement systems for generations to come.

Editor's note: This press release has been issued by the company named above, not BenefitsLink. Reliance on information in this press release might be prudent only after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by BenefitsLink.