MainePERS commits $50m to real estate fund

The $14.3 billion Maine Public Employees Retirement System has committed up to $50 million to BPEA Real Estate Fund II, according to Andrew Sawyer, chief investment officer for the pension fund.

BPEA Real Estate Fund II is managed by Baring Private Equity Asia, an independent alternative asset management firm. The real estate fund will invest in debt secured by properties throughout Asia.

The fund previously received a $100 million commitment from the $28.6 billion Texas County & District Retirement System in January and $101 million from the $28.5 billion Employees Retirement System of Texas.

The flagship fund in the debt series, BPE Asia Real Estate Fund, held a $365 million final close in 2015.

MainePERS has a target allocation to real estate of 10 percent.