None of the laws of this state regulating insurance or insurance companies shall apply to the retirement association or any of its funds. The books and accounts of the association and the retirement fund shall be examined and audited annually, if funds and personnel permit, by the legislative auditor of the state and a full and detailed report thereof made to the board of trustees. The cost of any examination shall be paid by the retirement association in accordance with the provisions of section 16A.127, subdivision 7, and for the purposes of this section the public employees retirement association shall be considered a state agency as referred to in section 16A.127, subdivision 7.