News Articles

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.

Think Income Inequality Is Bad? Retirement Inequality May Be Worse.

March 2, 2018

The savings gap is a looming crisis, and states aren’t sure how to help.

Mike Maciag

For years, salon owner Luke Huffstutter, of Portland, Ore., wanted to offer his employees a way to save for retirement. Costs  were too steep for the small company, though, and few employees took the initiative to set up 401(k) plans on their own.

This Is What Life Without Retirement Savings Looks Like

February 22, 2018

Many seniors are stuck with lives of never-ending work—a fate that could befall millions in the coming decades.

CORONA, Calif.—Roberta Gordon never thought she’d still be alive at age 76. She definitely didn’t think she’d still be working. But every Saturday, she goes down to the local grocery store and hands out samples, earning $50 a day, because she needs the money.