Investments

The Investment Division is responsible for investing the retirement assets of the NM PERA Trust Fund for the sole benefit of our members. Currently PERA administers thirty-one retirement plans under a defined benefit structure covering employees that work for state, county and municipal entities, as well as police, firefighters, judges, magistrates and legislators.

The Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA) [45-7-601 to 45-7-612 NMSA 1978] and Section 10-11-132 and 10-11-133 NMSA 1978, govern NM PERA Investments. In summary, the UPIA states that all persons responsible in making investment decisions for the Public Employees Retirement Fund shall exercise the case, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent investor acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims. Investments are to be diversified so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the circumstances, it is clearly prudent not to do so.

The statutes are the foundation for the PERA Investment Policy. The Board adopts the following guiding principles for investment activity:

1. Preserve the long term principal of the Fund
2. Maximize total return within prudent risk parameters.
3. Act in the exclusive interest of PERA members, retirees and beneficiaries.
4. Maintain sufficient liquidity to meet PERA's obligations.