Ventura County Employees' Retirement Association (VCERA)

The Ventura County Employees' Retirement Association (VCERA) is a public retirement system established to provide retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible employees of Ventura County, California. Operating as a defined benefit pension plan, VCERA is governed by the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL) and is overseen by an independent Board of Retirement. The fund is dedicated to securing the financial future of thousands of active, deferred, and retired public servants by managing its assets with long-term sustainability in mind.

VCERA invests across a diversified mix of public and private market asset classes, including domestic and international equities, fixed income, real estate, private equity, infrastructure, and hedge funds. As a Limited Partner (LP), VCERA partners with institutional fund managers to gain exposure to alternative strategies that can enhance returns and reduce correlation to public markets. The system’s investment philosophy prioritizes long-term performance, risk-adjusted returns, and adherence to actuarial assumptions while maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet benefit obligations.

The association’s investment operations are supported by a Chief Investment Officer, investment staff, and external consultants, all of whom contribute to disciplined manager selection, asset allocation, and performance monitoring. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors are increasingly integrated into the fund's investment evaluation processes. VCERA’s transparent governance and public accountability underscore its mission to protect and grow assets responsibly for its members and beneficiaries.