News Articles

Statement of Ted Toppin, Chair, Californians for Retirement Security, the 1.6 million member coalition of public employee unions and retirees.

August 4, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Steven Maviglio, 916-607-8340

Statement of Ted Toppin, Chair, Californians for Retirement Security, the 1.6 million member coalition of public employee unions and retirees.

The decision unequivocally upholds the California Rule, and in doing so protects the retirement security of California public servants, including the nurses, doctors, firefighters, EMTs, respiratory therapists and many other public employees working on the frontlines to protect Californians during the pandemic.

In uncertain times, the mission of California’s pension funds is vital

July 11, 2020

No one needs to be reminded that these are uncertain times.

The course of the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term effect on the economy is unknown. Financial markets are unpredictable. No one knows when people will again be able to gather, travel, work and spend as freely as they had before.

In times like these, the mission of CalPERS is more vital than ever. It must provide for its 2 million workers and retirees the certainty of a secure retirement income.

CalPERS remains positioned to provide that certainty.

Calpers Prepares for the Long Haul

June 14, 2020

By investing in private equity and credit, we expect to be able to achieve 7% returns

Market turmoil has thrown a spotlight on the challenges that public pension funds face in delivering retirement security to public employees. The debate about how to meet obligations is important for policy makers, who worry that securing the benefits pensioners depend on will burden state and local governments—and future generations.

CalSTRS adopts new global equity policy

March 12, 2020

CalSTRS adopted a new global equity investment policy to include the use of an active risk budget.

The investment committee of the $252.4 billion California State Teachers' Retirement System, West Sacramento, adopted the active risk budget to allow staff to move equity investments between passive and active management. CalSTRS had $128.5 billion in global equities as of Dec. 31.

CalSTRS Beats Benchmark Thanks to Strong Equity Returns

March 2, 2020

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System posted strong returns for the six-month period ended December 31, a new plan document shows.  

CalSTRS, which had a total of $254.1 billion invested as of December 31, returned 18.4 percent over the one-year time period, beating its benchmark by just under one percentage point. 

Exclusive: How a More than $50 Billion Bet Boosted CalPERS Returns

September 13, 2019

A large move into equity factor investing was key for largest US pension.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System took a more than $50 billion bet with its $177 billion stock portfolio and won. The bet helped beat volatile equity markets in the 12-month state fiscal year that ended June 30, show interviews  and pension system investment committee documents.

A Solid Foundation for the Future

March 30, 2018

Acting on the discount rate, asset allocation, and amortization, CalPERS has built a solid path forward for the long-term future of the fund.

We have provided retirement security for California’s public employees for more than 85 years. Through good times and bad, CalPERS has been a strong, reliable presence in our members’ lives. Our $21 billion in annual beneft payments help fuel economic activity across the Golden State.

 

How We’ve Strengthened the Fund