(a) The board shall be the trustee of the funds of the plan; may invest and reinvest such funds; and may hold, purchase, sell, assign, transfer, and dispose of any of the securities and investments in which any of the funds created under this chapter shall have been invested, as well as the proceeds of such investments and any moneys belonging to such fund, all in such manner as funds of the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia are invested and reinvested.

(b) Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, no member or person employed by the board shall have a direct interest in the gains or profits of any investment made by the board. No member or employee of the board shall, directly or indirectly, for himself or as an agent, in any manner use the funds of the plan except to make such current and necessary payments as are authorized by the board; nor shall any member or employee of the board become an endorser, surety, or in any manner an obligor for moneys loaned or borrowed from the board.

(c) The board shall be the custodian of the funds of the plan. All payments from such funds shall be made by the board only upon vouchers signed by two persons designated by the board.