tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18163499772772275242024-02-22T10:08:01.684-06:00The TEXPERS BlogExpanding Awareness of Public Pension IssuesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger507125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-48326116380236766602023-12-14T22:07:00.003-06:002023-12-14T22:07:46.863-06:00TEXPERS Tribute to Alva Littlejohn The
Texas pension community lost Alva Littlejohn, 79, a leading figure of the
continuing effort to create retirement security for men and women who dedicate
themselves to public service. Littlejohn
passed on December 11 with his family by his side. His obituary and memorial service details are
posted below.
Littlejohn
had dedicated himself to the service of his fellow firefighters inUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-85481389156816611612021-04-15T10:00:00.000-05:002021-04-15T10:50:19.584-05:00Weekly Legislative Happenings
TEXPERS Staff Report
The state's 87th legislative session got underway on Jan. 4. TEXPERS, along with the association's Legislative Committee and legislative consultant, is monitoring the session, especially for any actions regarding public employee pensions. TEXPERS staff will regularly update this blog page with the latest happenings that may be of interest to trustees and Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-35796134093438878732021-04-14T11:57:00.000-05:002021-04-14T11:57:03.286-05:00How to Improve Your Fund's Expected Rate of ReturnYour Fund Should Be Thinking About Portfolio Construction
By DAVID LEBOVITZ/Contributing Writer2020 was an incredible year in the capital markets. However, in the wake of very strong performance for both stocks and bonds over the past 12-months, as well as the past decade, most traditional assets are looking expensive. At the same time, concerns over inflation continue to build, and questions Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-89921789819657240822021-04-01T20:46:00.000-05:002021-04-01T20:46:11.127-05:00Members Gain Insight Into Legislative SessionTEXPERS Returns to In-person Gatherings With Legislative WorkshopTEXPERS Board President Paul Brown, left, and lobbyist Eddie Solis.TEXPERS Staff Report
The Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems conducted a Legislative Workshop for its System Members on March 30 and 31 in Austin. The educational event was the association's first in-person gathering since the start of the Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-90794146655998402592021-03-17T15:32:00.003-05:002021-03-17T15:32:50.591-05:00Webinar Focuses on Convertible SecuritiesWebcast Allows Retirement Fund Trustees and Administrators Opportunity to Earn Continuing Education Credit
TEXPERS Staff Report
On March 17, the Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems held its most recent online learning program, which focused on convertible securities. TEXPERS Associate member Calamos Investments presented the webinar, New Year, New Risks: What to Know Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-70428038627342740552021-03-11T18:31:00.004-06:002021-03-11T20:31:18.265-06:00Registration Now Open for TEXPERS Annual ConferenceEvent Offers Members Opportunity to Learn, Network, and be Inspired
TEXPERS Staff ReportThe Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems' 2021 Annual Conference will be held May 23-26 in Austin, marking the organization's official return to operation after the worldwide novel coronavirus pandemic halted large gatherings nearly a year. As the pandemic's spread slows due to nationwide Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-62778760304845372422021-03-11T15:45:00.000-06:002021-03-11T15:45:03.955-06:00New Member Among Pension Review Board Appointees
Governor Appoints Three to Pension Review Board
TEXPERS Staff ReportTexas Gov. Greg Abbott recently appointed three people to the Pension Review Board, the state agency charged with reviewing state and local public employee retirement systems for actuarial soundness and state law adherence.Of the appointees, Christopher Gonzales is new to the Pension Review Board. The governor reappointed Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-30479499497424299682021-03-04T21:52:00.001-06:002021-03-04T21:52:56.379-06:00Webcasts Focus on Fiduciary Responsibilities No Cost to Register for Two-part Program
TEXPERS STAFF ReportA webcast series by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration may be of interest to TEXPERS' retirement member system trustees.The Administration is hosting Getting it Right - Know Your Fiduciary Responsibilities: Webcast Series for Retirement Plan Sponsors from 1 to 2:30 p.m. CST on Wednesday, March 17, Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-30131425166894901382021-02-25T18:50:00.004-06:002021-02-25T18:50:43.575-06:00A New View From the Benefit Bond WindowTo Issue or Not to Issue, is That a Question?
By JIM LINK/Guest Contributor
Over the longer term, (i.e., 20 or 30 years), stocks have almost always outperformed bonds, meaning sought-for arbitrage has a high probability of materializing. However, a benefit plan sponsor should understand that, especially in the near term, issuing a benefit bond could result in a negative outcome from a budgetary Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-42551782606935258732021-02-25T18:33:00.000-06:002021-02-25T18:33:05.163-06:00The Completion PortfolioTomorrow's Real Estate Strategy Today
By MEREDITH DESPINS/Guest ContributorRepresenting 17% of the U.S. investment marketplace, real estate is the third largest asset class behind bonds and equities. It has been a staple of pension plan portfolios for decades, providing diversification, reduced volatility, higher returns, income and inflation protection.But the real estate investment market has Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-80716553792363017492021-02-25T18:18:00.000-06:002021-02-25T18:18:03.952-06:00Recordkeeper Consolidation ConsiderationsHow Acquisitions Trend Impacts Retirement Plan Sponsors
By DUSTIN ROBERTS/Guest Contributor
Recordkeepers continue to make news with acquisitions involving some of the industry's largest and most recognized names, a consolidation trend that impacts tens of thousands of employers and millions of participant accounts each year. A carefully considered selection of a provider can be wholly Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-75793413118363598102021-02-25T17:56:00.001-06:002021-02-25T17:57:23.653-06:00Investing In AviationHow the Global Industry Reset Will Create a Generational Investment Opportunity for InvestorsBy JOHN MORABITO/Guest Contributor
I have been investing in the commercial aviation industry for nearly 20 years. My career started in March of 2001, so my early investing experience occurred during the period of aviation industry dislocation triggered by 9/11, which, while significant, pales inAllen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-63133193829024013682021-02-25T17:24:00.006-06:002021-02-25T17:24:42.634-06:00Risky Business UpdateInvestors Face Additional Challenges Amid Increased Uncertainty
By JULIA MORIARTY/Guest Contributor
Five years ago, Callan published “Risky Business,” a paper that focused on the challenges faced by institutional investors in the low return environment they found themselves in. The paper received a lot of attention, including from The Wall Street Journal, largely due to the graphic illustratingAllen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-24200328204888098872021-02-25T17:09:00.003-06:002021-02-25T17:11:19.646-06:00Could Your Fund Benefit From Pet Spending?The Business of the Bonds Between People and PetsBy THOMAS HYNES/Guest Contributor
Recent evidence suggests that there has been a broad and sustainable increase in pet ownership, due to changing attitudes toward pets, referred to as “humanization." People increasingly allow pets to sleep in bed with them, buy presents for them on special occasions and take other steps to personify their animal Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-12704909658420820552021-02-25T16:44:00.002-06:002021-02-25T16:44:38.154-06:00Opportune Time for Longer-term InvestorsWhy 2021 Might Be A Good Time To Revisit US Core Real Estate
By SABRINA UNGER/Guest Contributor
Investors are faced with the increasingly critical task of finding alternative sources of resilient income to satisfy distribution needs today amidst lacking bond yields globally. With roughly 80% of the asset class’s total returns derived from income, core real estate can serve as a higher-yielding Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-36184360624827174352021-02-25T16:18:00.003-06:002021-02-25T16:18:50.487-06:00Road to Stock Market Rebound Was RockyWhen Markets Are Recovering, Don't Ignore Volatility
By KENT HARGIS, SAMMY SUZUKI, & CHRIS MARX/Guest ContributorsGlobal stocks rebounded sharply from the coronavirus market crash in 2020, but the ride was rocky. Even in a rising market, volatility is a clear and present danger. With so many risks clouding the outlook, we believe that investors should focus on generating a smoother pattern Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-39448224407184198772021-02-25T15:50:00.004-06:002021-02-25T15:50:39.498-06:003 Lessons From 2020Expect Economic Recovery in 2021 to be Robust
By Kenneth J. McAtamney/Guest ContributorWhile reviewing the prior year and forming an outlook for the market, it is impossible not to take greater stock of the world events and think more broadly about lessons learned during this time, which has been unlike any other we have experienced in our lifetimes.As we consider these lessons, it is Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-77329873868759483862021-02-25T15:26:00.003-06:002021-02-25T15:26:38.393-06:00The Profit Engine That Could2020 Offered Mounting Challenges for Earnings
By DAVID LEBOVITZ/Guest Contributor
The silver
lining of quarantine has been time spent with my young daughter. Every night we
go upstairs to her room, sit in a large arm chair, and read a selection of
books. One of her favorites is "The Little
Engine That Could." In this story, a tiny steam engine pulls a broken-down
train up and over a mountain. As Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-2395830802517963262021-02-11T19:04:00.000-06:002021-02-11T19:04:22.643-06:00Terry Bratton Fills Vacancy on TEXPERS' Board of DirectorsSpot Was Left Open After the Death of Billy Samuel
TEXPERS Staff Report
TEXPERS' Board of Directors recently appointed Terry Bratton to fill a vacancy left by board member Billy Samuel's death.Samuel died on Jan. 11 after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The board held a virtual meeting on Feb. 10 to fill the vacancy. Bratton is filling Position 6, a police trustee slot, on the TEXPERS Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-11015336468062757112021-02-03T14:08:00.007-06:002021-02-03T14:10:55.187-06:00Spread the Pension Love
Coalition Wants to Know How Much You Care About Your Secure Retirement
TEXPERS Staff Report
Texas public employees, are you thankful for your secure retirement? Our friends at the National Public Pension Coalition want to hear how much you "amor" your pension. Every February, the NPPC, spreads the pension love to let the public know how valuable pensions are to retirees and their families, Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-87941650706769245402021-01-27T19:54:00.009-06:002021-02-03T14:10:25.817-06:00Don't Miss These Webinars3 Free Webinars You Must Sign Up for Today
By TEXPERS StaffAs trustees and administrators of public employee retirement systems, it is important to keep up with the latest trends in pension governance, investments, and retirement. Webinars allow you to obtain critical information relevant to your pension system and more easily fit them into your busy schedule. A webinar is an online eventAllen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-10400594658785657992021-01-12T19:47:00.007-06:002021-01-23T10:28:55.991-06:00TEXPERS Board Member Billy Samuel Has DiedFort Worth Retired Police Officer Was Being Treated for COVID-19
TEXPERS Staff Report
UPDATED 01/23/2021 at 10:25 a.m. CST - A live stream of a memorial service for TEXPERS board member Billy Samuel is set for 2 p.m. CST today on the Fort Worth Metro YouTube channel. Samuel died on Jan. 11 at Fort Worth area hospital where he was being treated for COVID-19. "Billy was always quickAllen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-32559862832789437242021-01-12T13:35:00.004-06:002021-01-12T13:35:53.715-06:00Interim-report Looks at Pension Plan AdherenceKey Pension Committee Recommends Pension Review Board Changes to Legislature
By JOE GIMENEZ/Guest Contributor
The Texas legislative committee that oversees state and local pensions passed the Pension Review Board’s recommendations for changes to the funding policy and third-party review bills to the Legislature for possible action. It also followed the PRBs concerns that the agency should beAllen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-75404616770258356922021-01-04T17:24:00.003-06:002021-01-12T11:31:59.258-06:00Texas Legislative Session Starts TodayCOVID-19 Health Measures You Need to Know Before Visiting the State Capitol
By ALLEN JONES/TEXPERS Communications Manager UPDATED 01/12/2021 at 11:25 a.m. CST - The Texas legislature convenes the first day of the 87th legislative session today at noon.TEXPERS members and the general public may watch live video feeds of the state Senate and House opening ceremonies online: House&Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1816349977277227524.post-73781516566081768432020-12-21T19:24:00.004-06:002020-12-21T19:24:39.072-06:00Affordability is Key with RentersHow job loss and wage stagnation are creating demand for multifamily housing
Guest Contribution Submitted by RastegarEven before the pandemic, wages were a hot topic for many Americans. With cost of living, particularly in America’s largest cities, skyrocketing there were already increasing concerns about the amount of affordable places to live based on wage rates across the country. Many were Allen Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12898808626586799854noreply@blogger.com0