Metro

State pension fund soars

ALBANY — The New York pension fund for state and local government workers has topped $160 billion after reporting a 10.4 percent return on investment for its last fiscal year, the state Comptroller’s Office reported yesterday.

The Common Retirement Fund’s estimated value of $160.4 billion at the end of March is an all-time high for the fund, which pays benefits to more than 413,000 retirees and beneficiaries, said Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

It has now restored all $44 billion lost during the recession starting in 2008 and added another $6 billion.

“It remains well-positioned for growth,” said DiNapoli, the fund’s trustee.

In 2010, the fund lowered its assumed investment rate of return and announced increased contribution rates.

The 2014-2015 fiscal year starting next April will be the last with higher contributions, DiNapoli said.