PERSI Performance

Employees can choose a wide variety of things to do with their money outside of work – investments in real-estate holdings, rental properties, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and the day-to-day living that may have nothing to do with savings at all. However, we all have one thing in common as state employees – the Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI).

PERSI has historically had some very good years, and is poised to do so again.

- 8.7% Fiscal Year 2018 Return (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).
The fund was up by 11.7% in late January, but dropped when international developed and emerging markets tanked at the end of the final quarter.
- In comparison, the S&P 500, which returned about 20% the year prior and represents the top stocks by total worth, was up just 2.15% over the first half of 2018, and the Russell 2000, which contains primarily mid-cap and growth stocks, returned about 7% over the same time period.
- $17.4 Billion total fund value

PERSI was created in 1963 by the Idaho Legislature to provide secure, long-term pension benefits for public employees. The system is funded through investment income, and employer and employee contributions. It serves about 144,000 members, retirees and beneficiaries throughout the state. In fiscal year 2017, PERSI paid out more than $836 million in benefits.

Published 07-13-18