
<p>Retirement insights from a Colorado PERA perspective</p>



<p></p>


A distant view shows a mountainous landscape with sloping peaks, green trees in the foreground, and a cloudy sky above.


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2024/12/10/colorado-economic-forecast-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Colorado Experts Predict What the Economy Will Look Like in 2025 | The Colorado Sun</strong></a></h4>



<p>Every year, local experts have the difficult task of taking stock of the state economy and predicting what a new year will bring. For 2025, experts say the state’s population continues to grow, albeit slower than in years past. And that slower growth rate could have a ripple effect on the job market as employers struggle to find enough employees to fill open positions.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-urges-many-retirees-to-make-required-withdrawals-from-retirement-plans-by-year-end-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>IRS Urges Many Retirees to Make Required Withdrawals by Year-End Deadline | Internal Revenue Service</strong></a></h4>



<p>If you’re retired and you have savings in a defined contribution plan like a 401(k), 457, or IRA, you’re likely required to make minimum required distributions (RMDs) by the end of each year. The IRS sent out a notice reminding retirees of the deadline and new rules enacted under the SECURE 2.0 Act.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/quiz-test-your-financial-literacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Quiz: Test Your Financial Literacy | Kiplinger</strong></a></h4>



<p>How would you rate your financial literacy? Believe it or not, three simple questions can help you gauge your literacy. If you can correctly answer all three multiple-choice questions, you’re doing better than over half of all Americans.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/real-estate/2024/12/10/how-america-can-age-in-plaec/76826197007/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Baby Boomers Are Aging, and Most Want to Stay at Home Forever | USA Today</strong></a></h4>



<p>A recently released survey from AARP finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans say they want to stay in their homes and their local communities while they age, but many are unsure they’ll be able to do so. Half of the survey’s respondents said they were not confident their current living situation will meet their needs in the future, and over half of that group said they expect to move.</p>



<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: How Will Colorado’s Economy Fare in 2025?


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/when-the-fed-cuts-rates" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>What Happens Now That the Fed Finally Cut Rates? | NerdWallet</strong></a></h4>



<p>Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently announced the central bank would lower its key interest rate for the first time since 2020. While a rate cut was expected, some were surprised by the Fed’s decision to slash the rate by 0.5% instead of a more incremental 0.25%. Here’s what lower interest rates could mean for your finances and the economy as a whole.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2024/09/lawmakers-successfully-force-vote-eliminating-windfall-elimination-provision/399759/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Lawmakers Successfully Force a Vote on Eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision | Government Executive</strong></a></h4>



<p>The federal lawmakers leading the charge on H.R. 82—aka the Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—have succeeded in their efforts to force a floor vote on the issue. Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Garret Graves (R-LA) used a rare tactic called a discharge petition, which reached the necessary threshold of 218 signatures to bypass Congressional leadership and get a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives. A vote likely won’t happen until at least November, and the bill would still have to pass the Senate before the conclusion of this Congress in January.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/24/september-consumer-confidence-falls-the-most-in-three-years.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>September Consumer Confidence Falls the Most in Three Years | CNBC</strong></a></h4>



<p>The latest survey data show American consumers are increasingly pessimistic about the current and future state of the economy. According to the monthly Conference Board report, its consumer confidence index dropped to 98.7 in August, marking the biggest single-month decline since 2021. Survey respondents largely cited the weakening job market and the effects of inflation as their main concerns.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.ecu.edu.au/newsroom/articles/research/travel-could-be-the-best-defence-against-ageing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Travel Could Be the Best Defense Against Aging | Edith Cowan University</a></strong></h4>



<p>If your retirement plans include travel, you could be doing yourself the favor of improving your health and slowing down the aging process. According to new research from Edith Cowan University in Australia, the pleasure we derive from travel activities—such as unplugging from daily life, getting more exercise, and having new experiences—can help alleviate stress and boost our overall functioning, which can help slow down the clock in terms of aging.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: What Lower Interest Rates Mean For Your Finances


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:28px"><a href="https://content.copera.org/news-you-should-know-lawmakers-reintroduce-federal-auto-ira-bill/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Federal Automatic IRA Bill Introduced in the House | TheStreet</strong></a></h2>



<p>Lawmakers in Congress have reintroduced a bill that aims to boost retirement savings for the millions of Americans who don’t have access to a retirement plan at work. The Automatic IRA Act of 2024 would create a system for automatically enrolling workers in individual retirement accounts (IRAs) similar to the auto-enrollment plans that several states, including Colorado, have set up in recent years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:28px"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/09/limiting-retirement-plan-tax-perks-may-help-social-security-experts-say.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Limiting Retirement Plan Tax Perks May Help Social Security, Experts Say | CNBC</strong></a></h2>



<p>A new research paper from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College is making a splash for its controversial proposal for shoring up Social Security’s finances. The paper promotes the idea of eliminating tax incentives for defined contribution plans like 401(k)s. That means workers would pay tax on their retirement plan contributions, and that tax revenue could be put toward improving Social Security’s funding. The paper has received pushback from those who argue workers will be less likely to save for retirement without tax incentives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:28px"><a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-the-1960s-can-help-us-understand-our-confusing-economic-mood-163052769.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Why the 1960s Can Help Us Understand Our Confusing Economic Mood | Yahoo! Finance</strong></a></h2>



<p>Despite a growing economy, public sentiment remains stubbornly low, baffling some economists and political experts. In some ways, our current economic mood mirrors the 1960s, a decade marked by a booming economy but also social upheaval and, toward the end of the decade, rising inflation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:28px"><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/guide-to-caring-for-your-aging-parents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Caring for Your Aging Parents: A Seven-Step Guide | Kiplinger</strong></a></h2>



<p>Finding yourself responsible for the care of people who used to care for you can be an overwhelming experience. Here are a few key considerations and tips for tackling them, from finances and logistics to remembering your own needs and capabilities.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: Lawmakers Reintroduce Federal Auto-IRA Bill


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://money.com/irs-free-file-2024-eligibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>IRS Launches Free File for 2024 Tax Season With Major Eligibility Expansion | Money</strong></a></h4>



<p>Tax season is nearly upon us — the IRS says it will begin accepting tax returns on January 29. In addition, the IRS has raised the maximum income for using the online Free File system. Taxpayers with adjusted gross income up to $79,000 can now take advantage of the free guided tax prep program.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-consumer-sentiment-rises-solidly-january-2024-01-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>US Consumer Sentiment Races to 2-1/2-Year High; Inflation Expectations Ease | Reuters</strong></a></h4>



<p>Many economists are expressing increased optimism about the U.S. economy as the new year gets underway, and it appears many consumers agree. A major index that measures consumer sentiment jumped significantly this month, hitting its highest level in more than two years.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://content.copera.org/news-you-should-know-irs-expands-free-file-program-ahead-of-tax-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">401(k) Experiment Has Failed, Fueled U.S. Retirement Crisis, Labor Economist Says</a></strong></h4>



<p>The transition from widely available defined benefit pension plans to defined contribution plans like 401(k)s has led to generations of private-sector workers being unprepared for retirement, according to labor economist and author Teresa Ghilarducci. She argues that there’s enough data to show the change has been a failure and many workers are now forced to retire earlier than expected, exacerbating the problem.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/10/62percent-of-adults-age-50-and-older-have-not-used-an-advisor-for-retirement.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>62% of Adults Age 50 and Older Have Not Used an Advisor for Retirement | CNBC</strong></a></h4>



<p>If you’re planning for retirement, enlisting the help of a professional can provide peace of mind, but a recent survey found that more than 60% of Americans in the 50-plus age group have never consulted with a finance pro. And while 30 percent of those survey respondents said they haven’t done so because they can’t afford to, an even larger share said they prefer to handle their finances on their own. &nbsp;</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: IRS Expands Free File Program Ahead of Tax Season


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/stock-market-soared-year-experts-weigh/story?id=101522862" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Stock Market Has Soared This Year, But Will It Last? Experts Weigh In | ABC News</strong></a></h4>



<p>While some experts have been predicting a recession in the U.S. for months, the stock market continues to show significant gains, prompting debate about whether current trends will continue. Here’s what multiple experts say about the state of the economy and what may be in store for the months ahead.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/fed-set-launch-long-awaited-instant-payments-service-modernizing-system-2023-07-20/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Fed Launches Long-Awaited Instant Payments Service, Modernizing System | Reuters</strong></a></h4>



<p>The Federal Reserve launched a new system that aims to speed up and modernize money transfers in the United States. The system, called FedNow, will allow for instant transfers any time of day, eliminating the current days-long lag period when sending money. The service is launching with several dozen banks and service providers, with more expected to sign up.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/moderna-merck-cancer-vaccine-phase-3-start/689010/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Moderna, Merck Advance Cancer Vaccine Into Late-Stage Test | BioPharma Dive</strong></a></h4>



<p>Moderna and Merck are moving to the next phase of testing a promising new vaccine for cancer. The experimental mRNA vaccine can be personalized to a patient’s cancer, and researchers will be testing whether it’s effective in people who have had tumors removed and are at high risk of the cancer returning.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/how-to-navigate-may-december-marriages-at-retirement-time" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>How to Navigate May-</strong></a><strong><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/how-to-navigate-may-december-marriages-at-retirement-time" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">D</a></strong><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/how-to-navigate-may-december-marriages-at-retirement-time"><strong>ecember Marriages at Retirement Time | Kiplinger</strong></a></h4>



<p>If you’re in a relationship with someone who is significantly older or younger, you may find yourselves in a tricky situation when the older partner reaches retirement age. Here are some things to consider and tips for navigating conflict when one partner enters another stage of life before the other.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: Will the Stock Market Continue Its Upward Climb?


<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://content.copera.org/news-you-should-know-lawmakers-still-working-on-secure-2-0-retirement-legislation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>SECURE 2.0 Could Pass Before New Congress | Pensions &amp; Investments</strong></a></h4>



<p>Lawmakers in Washington, DC continue to work on a number of retirement-related proposals that have collectively been referred to as “SECURE Act 2.0.” While time is running low to pass new legislation, there’s still a chance lawmakers could reconcile the bills and pass a final package before the end of the year.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/several-parts-us-yield-curve-are-inverted-what-does-it-tell-us-2022-11-01/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Explainer: Several Parts of the U.S. Yield Curve Are Inverted: What Does It Tell Us? | Reuters</strong></a></h4>



<p>Experts often look to the U.S. Treasury’s so-called “yield curve” to determine if the country is headed for a recession, since inversions in the curve have reliably predicted past recessions. Here’s a look at recent trends in Treasury yields and what they could mean for the economy.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.investing.com/analysis/us-personal-savings-rate-nears-historical-bottom-200631728" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>U.S. Personal Savings Rate Nears Historical Bottom | Investing.com</strong></a></h4>



<p>During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people buckled down and significantly increased the amount of money they were putting into savings. That trend has since reversed, and recent data show Americans are now saving at historically low levels.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://401kspecialistmag.com/what-is-pretirement-and-why-do-more-people-want-one-before-retiring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>What is &#8216;Pretirement&#8217; and Why Do More People Want One Before Retiring? | 401(k) Specialist</strong></a></h4>



<p>Workers are increasingly interested in the idea of “preretirement,” a period of transition between full-time work and traditional retirement. A recent survey found 69 percent of respondents view retirement as a gradual transition away from full-time work rather than an abrupt end.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: Lawmakers Still Working on SECURE 2.0 Retirement Legislation


<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="bipartisan-bill-to-modernize-59-year-old-older-coloradans-act-emerges-in-legislature-state-of-reform"><a href="https://stateofreform.com/featured/2022/02/bipartisan-bill-to-modernize-59-year-old-older-coloradans-act-emerges-in-legislature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Bipartisan Bill to Modernize 59-Year-Old Older Coloradans Act Emerges in Legislature</strong></a><strong> | State of Reform</strong></h4>



<p>Lawmakers have introduced a bill that aims to update and modernize the Older Coloradans Act. The bill would expand and reorganize the Colorado Commission on Aging and appoint someone from the Colorado Department of Human Services to represent the Commission to the state. The bill would also create a “Lifelong Colorado” initiative to coordinate planning and implementation.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="over-the-counter-covid-tests-will-soon-be-free-for-medicare-recipients-npr"><a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/03/1078088301/over-the-counter-covid-tests-will-soon-be-free-for-medicare-recipients" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Over-the-Counter COVID Tests Will Soon Be Free for Medicare Recipients</strong></a><strong> | NPR</strong></h4>



<p>When the Biden administration announced insurance companies would be required to cover the cost of at-home rapid COVID tests, Medicare was excluded from the requirement. The government has since announced retirees on original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan will be able to get over-the-counter tests at no cost starting in the spring.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="explainer-the-u-s-yield-curve-has-been-flattening-why-you-should-care-reuters"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/us-yield-curve-has-been-flattening-why-you-should-care-2022-02-03/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Explainer: The U.S. Yield Curve Has Been Flattening — Why You Should Care</strong></a><strong> | Reuters</strong></h4>



<p>You may have heard talk of the “yield curve” lately and how it’s been flattening in recent months. But why is that and what does it mean? Here’s an explanation of what the yield curve represents, how it’s predicted recessions in the past and what it might signal for 2022.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="67-of-retirees-have-credit-card-debt-here-are-3-ways-to-pay-it-off-on-a-fixed-income-usa-today"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2022/02/05/67-of-retirees-have-credit-card-debt-3-steps-to-pay-it-off-on-a-fixed-income/49758385/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>67% of Retirees Have Credit Card Debt. Here are 3 Ways to Pay It Off on a Fixed Income</strong></a><strong> | USA Today</strong></h4>



<p>A recent survey found about two-thirds of retired Americans have credit card debt. Paying off that debt can be especially challenging for people living on fixed and limited income. Here are a few tactics to consider when deciding to tackle that debt.</p>



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<p><em>News You Should Know is a digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>


News You Should Know: Bill Aims to Better Support Aging Coloradans


<p><em>A digest of news from publications around the nation about finance, investing, and retirement.</em></p>



<p><a href="https://money.com/rmd-401k-roth-ira-requirements-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retirees Don&#8217;t Have to Take Required Minimum Distributions This Year. But What If You Already Did?</a> | <a href="http://www.money.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Money</a></p>



<p>The CARES Act modified RMD rules for 2020. But for those who withdrew in the first few months of the year only because they thought they had to, you might be able to reverse that action.<em> </em></p>



<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article may not reflect how the CARES Act will impact PERA &#8211; please refer to PERA’s webpage for further information.</em></p>



<p><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2020/05/25/conversation-colorado-legislature-session/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A conversation about what to expect when the Colorado legislature returns to the Capitol on Tuesday</a> | <a href="https://coloradosun.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Colorado Sun</a></p>



<p>Political reporters discuss what they expect to see in the weeks ahead as the 2020 legislative session resumes. From big policy decisions to basic logistical questions like where members will sit, questions abound.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.kunc.org/post/colorado-unemployment-jumps-113-pandemic-erases-jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado Unemployment Jumps To 11.3% As Pandemic Erases Jobs</a> | <a href="http://kunc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KUNC</a></p>



<p>In early February, the unemployment rate in Colorado was as low as 2.5%. The rate has more than quadrupled since then. The prior record was 8.9%, set in 2010. Still, Colorado’s rate remains one of the lowest in the nation.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/video/jerome-powell-federal-reserve-economic-crisis-coronavirus-pandemic-60-minutes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed Chair Jerome Powell: The 2020 60 Minutes interview</a> | <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CBS News</a></p>



<p>In this video, the head of the central banking system discusses his thoughts on peak unemployment, what the Fed can do to aid the recovery, and other topics that everyone is thinking about.</p>


Retirement Roundup: Can You Undo an RMD This Year?

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft"><a href=""><img decoding="async" src="https://www.copera.org/colorado-pera-drives-6-1-billion-economic-output-helps-sustain-32800-jobs"Economic Output" class="wp-image-1392"/></a></figure></div>


<p>Distributions from Colorado PERA translate to $6.1 billion in economic output and help to sustain more than 32,800 Colorado jobs annually. These figures represent increases over the 2014 data from Pacey Economics. In just two years, the economic impact of PERA retirement payments increased by nearly $1 billion and supported an additional 3,800 jobs in Colorado.</p>



<p>PERA distributions, a sustainable source of reliable, predictable income for not just PERA retirees but for communities across Colorado, add critical value and stimulus to the Colorado economy. That’s according to a new report released by Colorado PERA, “<a href="https://content.copera.org/pera-retirees-have-a-big-effect-on-colorados-economy/">Colorado PERA Economic and Fiscal Impacts</a>.”</p>



<p>With these retirement distributions going to PERA retirees as well as disabled members or survivors upon a member’s death, dollars are pumped back into the economy, whether it is for purchasing groceries, buying clothes or paying for gas.</p>



<p>The report, prepared by economic and business analysis firm <a href="http://www.paceyecon.com">Pacey Economics</a>, shows that the $3.83 billion paid in PERA distributions to more than 98,000 Colorado residents has a dramatic benefit to local economies in every corner of the state, from Metro Denver to the Southwest Mountains to the Eastern Plains.</p>



<p>PERA distributions “provide reliable, predictable income allowing for an ‘automatic stabilizing effect’ on state, regional and local economies, especially in economic downturns,” according to the report. Evidence of the importance of this economic impact is especially felt in rural Colorado, where PERA retirement distributions amount to 14.8 and 13.7 percent of area payroll in the Pueblo-Southern Mountain and San Louis Valley regions.</p>



<p>The report notes that PERA provides a significant return on investment, turning employer contributions of $1.32 billion into more than $4.1 billion in retirement payments in 2016. These employer contributions represent 20 percent of the additions to the PERA trust funds, with the majority (63 percent) of source dollars from investment income, and the remaining 17 percent coming from employee contributions.</p>



<p>Households with stable incomes, such as those receiving a regular PERA distribution, spend their money on basic needs and other purchases as well as paying taxes and fees that provide revenue for state and local governments.</p>



<p>That chain of economic activity – of buying groceries from a store, for example, that then pays its employees who in turn spend their income on gas to get to work – is known as the “multiplier effect.”</p>



<p>Colorado’s state and local governments see a total impact of $271 million in revenue from tax payments that result from PERA distributions to retired teachers, snowplow drivers, game wardens and other public workers. These tax payments continue to be directed to paying for our schools, roads, and other community services.</p>



<p>Recipients pay income taxes in addition to taxes on goods and services, such as sales, use and property taxes as well as government fees, licenses and permits. Their spending generates the multiplier effect, which in turn results in another layer of taxes and fees. The report measures fiscal impact, including income and property taxes on that first round of spending as well as other taxes and fees paid on subsequent rounds of spending. That spending generates revenue for state and local government budgets.</p>



<p>The report also finds that fewer than 1 percent of PERA members participate in Social Security, and “therefore, the PERA retirement distribution is designed and funded to provide total retirement moneys consistent with the private sector where retirement is based on a combination of a private plan and Social Security.”</p>



<p><a href="https://peraontheissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/state_of_co_0-1.pdf">Positively Impacting Colorado&#8217;s Economy</a></p>


Colorado PERA Drives $6.1 Billion in Economic Output and Helps Sustain 32,800 Jobs


<p>As profiled in a recent article in <a href="http://www.cobizmag.com/Companies/How-the-public-sector-can-benefit-from-private-investments/?utm_source=iContact&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=ColoradoBiz&amp;utm_content=CoBiz+enews+for+5%2F31%2F16" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ColoradoBiz</a>, Colorado PERA’s investment in a Boulder-based broadband company named Zayo paid off for the Colorado economy and investors. PERA invests $43 billion in trust fund assets wherever it believes it can generate the greatest return while managing risk.</p>



<p>Rand Lewis, managing director of Centennial Ventures and co-founder/managing director of Delta-v Capital writes:</p>



<p><em>“Zayo was one of those Colorado-based opportunities where PERA was able to meet its dual goals of serving its members while also investing in the state.</em></p>



<p><em>PERA invested $6 million in venture capital firms who in turn invested in Zayo. PERA’s initial investment returned more than 10 times that amount to the PERA trusts, and these returns were reinvested to support the retirements of Colorado’s public employees. Such a high return is welcome although not common and PERA’s diversified portfolio seeks to earn strong returns over many decades.”</em></p>



<p><a href="http://www.cobizmag.com/Companies/How-the-public-sector-can-benefit-from-private-investments/?utm_source=iContact&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=ColoradoBiz&amp;utm_content=CoBiz+enews+for+5%2F31%2F16" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a> about how this “virtuous circle” of prudently investing PERA members’ assets benefits more than just PERA.</p>


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