Roth Update for CAP Plans

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Our Commitment to Transparency

PERA On The Issues

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who We Are</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Colorado Public Employees&#8217; Retirement Association (PERA)&nbsp;provides retirement and other benefits to the employees of more than 500 government agencies and public entities in the state of Colorado. Established by state law in 1931, PERA operates by authority of the Colorado General Assembly and is administered under Title 24, Article 51 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. In accordance with its duty to administer PERA, the Board of Trustees has the authority to adopt and revise Rules in accordance with state statutes.</p>


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									<p><a class="doc_block" href="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pera-law-2025.pdf" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/themes/planeteria-plane/img/PDF.svg" class="img_icon" alt="download this document" width="17px"><span>PERA Law</span></a></p>
												<p><a class="doc_block" href="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/colorado-pera-rules-2025.pdf" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/themes/planeteria-plane/img/PDF.svg" class="img_icon" alt="download this document" width="17px"><span>PERA Rules</span></a></p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Members of PERA include employees of the Colorado state government, public school teachers in the state, many university and college employees, judges, many employees of cities and towns, State Troopers, and the employees of many other public entities.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">PERA is a substitute for Social Security for most of these public employees. Benefits are pre-funded, which means while a member is working, he or she is required to contribute a fixed percentage of their salary to the retirement trust funds. Employers also&nbsp;<a href="/employer-contribution-rates">contribute a percentage of pay</a>&nbsp;to the trust fund.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The trust funds are then invested by PERA under the direction of the Board of Trustees. PERA&#8217;s investment strategy uses actuarially established investment objectives with long-term goals and policies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PERA Mission and Vision Statements</h2>



<h3 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color">Mission</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To provide retirement security for our members while ensuring the sustainability of the fund.</p>



<h3 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color">Vision</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To innovate and build on a tradition of service by being a trusted partner in order to meet the changing needs of our diverse membership.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="anchortest1">Core Values</h3>



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<li><strong>Be good stewards</strong>&nbsp;by emphasizing sustainability in all operations.</li>



<li><strong>Serve member needs</strong>&nbsp;by delivering quality service and performance amid changing environments and expectations.</li>



<li><strong>Build strong relationships and deepen trust among all stakeholders</strong>&nbsp;by exercising good governance, valuing transparency, upholding ethical conduct, enhancing communications, and providing excellent customer service.</li>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our Commitment to Transparency</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Colorado PERA is committed to conducting business in an open and transparent manner. To further public understanding of our operations and finances, we provide documents and links to information on PERA’s financial statements and investments, Board of Trustees activities and expenditures, legislative oversight, and staff compensation.</p>



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<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.copera.org/our-commitment-to-transparency">Find More Information</a></div>
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About


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If any of your employees contribute to Social Security, you must take action to adopt the Roth option in your 401(k) and 457 <strong>this year</strong>. Federal law requires that any employee (1) age 50 or older and (2) who has Social Security wages above $145,000 (which will be increased in future years) <strong>must </strong>contribute catch-up contributions on a Roth, rather than pre-tax, basis starting in 2026.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Please see PERA’s <a href="https://copera.org/secure-2-0-changes-to-401k-and-457-catch-up-contributions-and-roth-option-requirement-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">website</a> for more information. The Defined Contribution team is standing by to make this a seamless transition for you and your employees—please contact them at <a href="mailto:definedcontribution@copera.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">definedcontribution@copera.org</a> to get the process started.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
