The Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System today released its fiscal 2018 funded ratio, which has risen to 82.4 percent. A funded ratio of 80 percent or greater is considered financially healthy by industry standards, IPERS said in a release. “Even after lowering the investment return assumption last year from 7.5 percent to 7.0 percent, and updating mortality tables this year, IPERS’ financial health improved,” IPERS CEO Donna Mueller said. IPERS’ Trust Fund balance stood at $32.26 billion on June 30. IPERS’ investment earnings pay approximately 70 percent of the benefit payments. For fiscal year 2020, beginning July 1, 2019, contribution rates for the regular members will remain unchanged while rates for special service members will decrease by 0.5 percentage point. To read a Business Record Insider story about IPERS, click here.