“The nation’s state and local public-employee retirement systems had $2.7 trillion in total cash and investment holdings in 2010, a $257.2 billion or 10.6 percent increase from $2.4 trillion in 2009, according to new statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. This follows a $722.2 billion loss the previous year. These statistics come from the 2010 Annual Survey of Public-Employee Retirement Systems, which provides an annual look at the financial activity and membership information of the nation’s state and local public-employee retirement systems, including revenues, expenditures, investment holdings, and number of retirement systems and beneficiaries. Receipts – There were $346.1 billion in earnings on investments in 2010, compared with prior year losses totaling $621.1 billion. This was the first year showing positive earnings since 2007. Retirement systems have substantial investments in financial markets and consequently earnings are dependent on changes in market performance.”