What is required of public retirement funds in Arizona?

Public retirement funds in Arizona are required to be separate and independent. This structure is crucial for ensuring that the funds are managed specifically for the benefit of public employees without being intermixed with state funds intended for other purposes. This independence protects the retirement assets from potential misallocation and mismanagement that could arise if they were to be combined with state funds.

Maintaining separation helps to safeguard the financial integrity of the retirement plans, ensuring that they are appropriately funded and managed in the best interests of retirees and current employees. It also allows for clear accountability in the management of these funds, which is essential for public confidence in the retirement system.

The requirement for independence is in line with broader principles of public financial management, where funds meant for specific purposes are kept segregated to avoid conflicts of interest and to enhance transparency. This is particularly important for public retirement systems because they involve the financial security of many individuals and depend on strict adherence to fiduciary responsibilities.