Judges’, prosecutors’ pension funds receive split of surplus reserves

Indiana’s Judges’ Pension Fund and Prosecutors’ Pension Fund will receive nearly 30 percent of the $360 million in surplus money from the state reserves, the governor’s office announced Thursday.

The Judges’ Pension Fund receives $90,187,160; the Prosecutors’ Pension Fund adds $17,363,392. The money is coming from proceeds from the first automatic taxpayer refunds, Gov. Mitch Daniels’ plan to return money to residents when the state’s reserves exceed a certain threshold.

“Many pension funds in other states are headed for massive defaults, but not here. Our state police, conservation, excise and gaming officers, judges, prosecutors and teachers deserve rock-solid, retirement security in return for their dutiful and often sacrificed public service. Indiana’s pension funds, among the best-funded anywhere, are now in even better condition,” said Daniels in a statement.

The remainder of the $360,640,000 will be distributed to the pension funds of conservation, gaming and excise officers; state police; and the Pre-1996 Teachers’ Retirement Fund. The teachers’ retirement fund receives the biggest chunk – more than $206 million.