Oklahoma Public Pension Plans
6 plans tracked by the Public Plans Database
What the Data Says About Oklahoma Public Pensions
Oklahoma currently sponsors 6 public pension plans tracked by the Public Plans Database (PPD), covering a combined 289,143 active employees and retirees across teacher, police-and-fire, judicial, municipal, and general state systems. The weighted average funded ratio across these 6 plans is 94.9%, with a combined unfunded liability of $2.85B. These disclosures derive from Form 5500 filings submitted to the Department of Labor and actuarial valuations reported through NASRA and Boston College's Center for Retirement Research.
Oklahoma's average funded ratio above 80% places the state meaningfully above the national public-pension average of roughly 72–75%, suggesting that ongoing contribution discipline and investment returns have kept funding levels near actuarial targets. The $2.85B unfunded liability represents the actuarial shortfall between projected obligations and current assets across all 6 plans, which flows through to state and local budgets over time as amortization payments.
Unlike private-sector pensions, which fall under ERISA and are backstopped by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), Oklahoma's public plans rely on the full faith and credit of the sponsoring government entity. That distinction matters for the 289,143 Oklahoma workers and retirees covered by these systems: funding shortfalls are addressed through state and local budget decisions rather than federal insurance. This information summarizes official Public Plans Database disclosures and is provided for research and educational purposes only. It is not financial, legal, or retirement-planning advice; active and retired members with questions about their specific benefits should consult their plan administrator directly.
| Plan | Funded Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Employee Retirement System | 127.3% | B |
| Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System | 99.1% | B |
| Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System | 97.5% | B |
| Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System | 85.5% | B |
| Oklahoma Municipal Employees | 80.2% | B |
| Oklahoma Fire | 79.9% | C |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public pension plans does Oklahoma have?
Oklahoma has 6 public pension plans tracked by the Public Plans Database (PPD), covering 289,143 total members. These plans include state-level and local government retirement systems for teachers, police, firefighters, and general employees.
Is Oklahoma's pension system in crisis?
Oklahoma's public pension plans have an average funded ratio of 94.9% and a total unfunded liability of $2.85B. An average funded ratio above 80% indicates the pension system is in relatively healthy shape. Data is sourced from the Boston College Center for Retirement Research.
What is the average funded ratio in Oklahoma?
The average funded ratio across all 6 public pension plans in Oklahoma is 94.9%, based on the most recent Public Plans Database data. A funded ratio of 100% means a plan has sufficient assets to meet all projected obligations. The national average for public pensions is approximately 72–75%. Individual plan ratios in Oklahoma vary — browse the table above to compare specific plans.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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