NJ Approves Increase in Alternative Investments

According to The Record, of the targeted allocations for fiscal 2012, the investment plan’s greatest shift would be toward hedge funds. Under the plan, 10% of the pension’s assets could be invested in hedge funds, up from the current 5.3%. The pension system’s allocation to private equity would be 7%, up from 6.7%.  

The news report said New Jersey has 17.3% of its $72.6 billion pension system invested in hedge funds, private equity, real estate and commodities. Under a plan the council approved, the pension system would aim for 25.5% in alternative investments in fiscal 2012 – still be below the previous cap of 28%.  

Robert Grady, who heads the council, emphasized that the pension system is not trying to boost returns by shifting more assets toward alternative investments, but is reducing overall risk by further diversifying its investments.