New Jersey Pension Fund Posts 14% FY2026 Return, Beating 7% Target

1 articles · Updated · NJ Spotlight News · Jul 30

14% net returns through the end of May put New Jersey’s public-worker pension fund on track to easily top its 7% assumed rate for fiscal 2026, pending final June and private-market figures.
June market conditions stayed broadly stable despite the Trump administration’s war in Iran, helping the fund recover after returns had slipped to 6% and assets fell to $80.3 billion at the end of March.
More than $1 billion from higher New Jersey Lottery proceeds and a budgeted full employer contribution mean over $7 billion is set to flow into the pension system by June 30 for fiscal 2027.
The nearly $86 billion fund covers more than 837,000 current and retired New Jersey workers; strong returns can ease taxpayer pressure, though actuaries still project roughly 30 more years to reach full funding.