MissionSquare History

Our History

Founded in 1972, MissionSquare Retirement, then ICMA Retirement Corporation, was created as an organization dedicated exclusively to the retirement needs of public sector employees. Today, we’re proud to serve 9,200 public service employers and 1.9 million participant accounts.*

Serving the Public Sector for Over 50 Years

1972

Founded as ICMA Retirement Corporation by a Ford Foundation grant to create equity in access to retirement savings.

Began serving Deferred Compensation Plans.

1983

Surpassed 10,000 participant accounts.

1989

Surpassed 100,000 participant accounts.

1991

Introduced the VantageTrust PLUS Fund, an industry-leading stable value fund.

1995-1998

Launched our public website, participant website, and employer website.

1999

Launched the Retirement Health Savings Program, designed to help participants fund retiree health care through a tax-advantaged plan.

2000

Surpassed 500,000 participant accounts.

2001

Established the ICMA-RC Public Employee Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor public service employees and their families.

2004

Started the Employer Investment Program, created to help fund the cost of Other Post-Employment Benefits.

2005

Introduced the Vantagepoint Milestone target-date funds.

2007

Launched the Center for State and Local Government Excellence in partnership with ICMA.

Introduced Guided Pathways® Advisory Services

2011

Surpassed one million participant accounts.

2017

ICMA-RC Funds are made available to public and private sector plans on investment-only basis.

2019

Expanded service into education, health care, and not-for-profit communities.

ICMA-RC named Washington Post Top Workplace and won CIO 100 Award.

2020

Surpassed 1.5 million participant accounts.

2021

ICMA-RC begins doing business as MissionSquare Retirement.

Center for State and Local Government Excellence becomes MissionSquare Research Institute.

2022

Launched expanded Financial Wellness Center.

MissionSquare Retirement celebrates 50th anniversary.

Established MissionSquare Retirement Foundation.

*As of December 31, 2023. Includes 457, 401, 403(b), Retirement Health Savings (RHS) plans, Employer Investment Program (EIP) plans, affiliated IRAs, and investment-only assets. Includes assets under administration and management by MissionSquare with its subsidiaries.

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