Schuylkill County’s retirement fund has rebounded from a low of $126,798,522 at the end of 2018, to $137,036,973 as of June 12, 2019.

Under the watchful eye of county Controller Christy Joy, intern Charlie Bechtel of Pottsville, presented the county’s Retirement System Financial Statement for the year ending Dec. 31, 2018. Bechtel, a student at Kutztown University, gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining the county’s investment positions.

Bechtel pointed out that the number of retired participants receiving benefits has increased slightly.

As of Jan. 1, 2019, there were 1,271 plan members, of those, 589 are active plan members, 601 are retired participants receiving benefits and 81 are terminated plan members who are entitled to benefits but not yet receiving them.

“Schuylkill County’s pension is currently 92.8 percent funded,” Bechtel said. “The state is in a pension crisis, but we’re not.”

Bechtel and Gabriella Bentz, Pottsville, are interning in the controllers’ office this summer.

Bentz is a graduate of Bloomsburg University and currently completing a master’s degree there.

The commissioners said that contributing to the retirement fund is an important responsibility.

“It’s important that we keep up with it,” Chairman George Halcovage said. “We have a responsibility not only to retirees but also to current employees.”

Commissioner Gary Hess agreed.

“We have to make sure the current retirees can enjoy their senior years,” Hess said, adding, “Their best years.”