State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald Sworn-in For Historic 10th Term

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Photo of State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald being sworn in by Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady.

DES MOINES, IA (01/02/2019) (readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald was sworn in Wednesday, January 2 by Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady to serve his 10th term as state treasurer. First elected in 1982, Treasurer Fitzgerald has served Iowa for 36 years and will make history this month by becoming the longest serving state treasurer in United States history. During his tenure, Treasurer Fitzgerald has acted as the state's banker, investing Iowa's money, coordinating bonding, returning hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed property, helping families save for higher education, and promoting financial literacy.

"It has been my honor to serve Iowans as their state treasurer for the last 36 years," Fitzgerald stated. "And I look forward to the next four. My mission is to keep the money safe and I will continue to do that while providing Iowans with meaningful programs that impact their lives."

Through innovation and experience, Treasurer Fitzgerald has created and enhanced the services provided by the treasurer's office. Fitzgerald created the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Iowa's unclaimed property program, shortly after taking office in 1983. Since that time, the program has reunited over $255 million to more than 592,000 rightful owners. In 1998, he created College Savings Iowa, one of the nation's best 529 savings programs. This premier savings plan allows families to save for higher education while receiving tax benefits, and now has over $5 billion in assets and 250,000 accounts. In 2017, he launched IAble, a savings program to empower persons with disabilities with the ability to save for their future. Individuals can save and pay for qualified disability expenses without losing eligibility for certain assistance programs. "I am incredibly proud of these programs and how much they have helped Iowans throughout my tenure," said Fitzgerald.

Treasurer Fitzgerald also remains focused on improving retirement security in Iowa. He serves as a trustee for the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) and chair of the IPERS Investment Board, as well as the trustee, custodian and investment administrator for the Iowa Peace Officers' Retirement, Accident, and Disability System and the Judicial Retirement System. In recent years, Treasurer Fitzgerald has also proposed legislation providing easier access to retirement savings plans for Iowans without access through their employer.

Fitzgerald was joined at the ceremony by his wife Susan, friends, staff and colleagues.