The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) released a study today demonstrating retirement benefits paid out by CalPERS generated $30.9 billion in economic activity across the State. For every one dollar of public funds invested in CalPERS, the fund returns $9.64 of economic activity throughout the state. CalPERS benefits paid directly to members have large impacts in the housing, restaurant, and health care industries. CalPERS also invests $25.7 billion dollars in California businesses, supporting millions of jobs across the state. The report breaks down the economic impact by state congressional district so tax payers can see how CalPERS benefits their local economy.
For eight decades, CalPERS has built retirement and health security for State, school, and public agency members who invest their lifework in public service. CalPERS serves more than 1.7 million members and administers benefits for more than 1.4 million members and their families in the health program. CalPERS is the largest defined-benefit public pension in the United States. The current market value of the CalPERS general fund is approximately $304 billion dollars.
