Economic Impact of TRS

Economic Impact of TRS

Distribution of Benefits Paid

In Fiscal Year 2026, TRS distributed nearly $471 million in benefits. A large majority (84.3%) of those payments were made to retired members, survivors, and other eligible recipients residing right here in Montana.

These dollars flow right back into the state and local economy. A recent economic impact study found that each dollar paid out by Montana's public pensions generated approximately $1.47 in economic activity. (Source: National Institute on Retirement Security, Pensionomics 2025 – Montana)

Pie chart showing that 84.3 percent of TRS benefit payments in fiscal year 2026 were distributed to Montana residents; 15.6 percent to residents of other states, and less than 0.1 percent to residents outside the U.S.

Benefits Paid by Montana County

Map of Montana's 56 counties labeled with TRS payment totals for each county. See table below for data.
County Benefits Paid
Beaverhead  $           4,258,466.33
Big Horn  $           3,373,378.46
Blaine  $           2,643,482.00
Broadwater  $           1,899,018.27
Carbon  $           4,251,300.67
Carter  $              239,694.90
Cascade  $         29,896,749.94
Chouteau  $           2,516,879.40
Custer  $           4,361,203.92
Daniels  $              662,402.62
Dawson  $           3,199,345.49
Deer Lodge  $           4,740,289.89
Fallon  $           1,478,160.40
Fergus  $           4,782,506.47
Flathead  $         34,869,279.07
Gallatin  $         35,686,438.74
Garfield  $              241,527.27
Glacier  $           4,271,096.99
Golden Valley  $              440,747.70
Granite  $           1,155,954.27
Hill  $           5,961,726.90
Jefferson  $           5,060,059.20
Judith Basin  $              760,965.37
Lake  $         10,426,413.69
Lewis And Clark  $         30,584,005.79
Liberty  $              487,640.72
Lincoln  $           6,840,615.76
Madison  $           2,659,273.71
McCone  $              486,364.34
Meagher  $              817,709.82
Mineral  $           1,637,476.02
Missoula  $         53,414,837.16
Musselshell  $           1,925,068.68
Park  $           4,835,527.11
Petroleum  $              220,367.33
Phillips  $           1,747,466.36
Pondera  $           2,437,394.41
Powder River  $              621,264.34
Powell  $           2,364,696.64
Prairie  $              278,947.02
Ravalli  $         12,745,987.88
Richland  $           3,192,770.07
Roosevelt  $           3,040,819.62
Rosebud  $           2,818,494.76
Sanders  $           3,748,309.97
Sheridan  $           1,790,959.52
Silver Bow  $         14,687,330.93
Stillwater  $           4,089,234.02
Sweet Grass  $           1,255,092.25
Teton  $           2,739,743.77
Toole  $           1,355,017.76
Treasure  $              484,027.08
Valley  $           3,068,742.99
Wheatland  $              723,200.69
Wibaux  $              393,933.08
Yellowstone  $        62,848,810.15
Total Recipients Total Benefits Paid
15,064 $397,518,217.71