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PensionWatch

California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) vs New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

Side-by-side pension health comparison from DOL and public plan data

Verdict

California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) has a stronger Pension Health Score of 58/100 (C) compared to New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) at 54/100 (C). Funding ratios differ by 15.0 percentage points (67.3% vs 52.3%). California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) covers 2,050,000 participants.

MetricCalifornia Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
Health Score
Composite of funding ratio, trend, and PBGC risk
58/100 (C)*54/100 (C)
Funding Ratio
Assets as % of liabilities (100%+ is fully funded)
67.3%*52.3%
Total Assets$473.0B$34.0B
Total Liabilities$703.0B$65.0B*
Unfunded Liability$230.0B$31.0B*
Participants2,050,000425,000
1-Year Investment Return5.8%*5.1%
Plan Typepublicpublic
PBGC Risk Levelmoderatehigh
SponsorState of CaliforniaState of New Jersey

California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) has a stronger Pension Health Score of 58/100 (C) compared to New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) at 54/100 (C). Funding ratios differ by 15.0 percentage points (67.3% vs 52.3%). California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) covers 2,050,000 participants.

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