
<p>Retirement insights from a Colorado PERA perspective</p>



<p></p>


A distant view shows a mountainous landscape with sloping peaks, green trees in the foreground, and a cloudy sky above.


<p>The Colorado PERA Board of Trustees convened for its final regular meeting of 2024 on Friday, November 15.</p>



<p>Below are summaries of some of the key actions the Board took during the meeting. You may also view a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/PEsqqE25_w0?feature=share" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recorded livestream</a> of the meeting.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PERA operating budget</strong></h4>



<p>Following a budget workshop during which PERA executives briefed the Board on the need for a larger budget to cover important technology upgrades, the Board approved PERA’s 2025 operating budget of $132 million. The 19.6% increase over 2024’s budget includes costs associated with a multi-year project to modernize the core technology systems necessary to administer benefits as well as other critical needs.</p>



<p>Read more about <a href="https://www.copera.org/news/colorado-pera-board-approves-increase-in-operating-budget-to-fund-technology-upgrades" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PERA’s 2025 budget</a>.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Strategic planning update</strong></h4>



<p>For months now, the Board, PERA staff, and consultants have been working together to develop PERA’s next three-year strategic plan. That process has involved stakeholder research, identifying areas of strength and opportunity, and solidifying long-term priorities and goals for the organization.</p>



<p>From here, work will continue on crafting the plan, with a draft expected to be ready for Board review in January. Once approved, it will be up to staff to begin implementing the plan and fulfilling its strategic vision.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Member contribution interest rate</strong></h4>



<p>Every PERA Defined Benefit Plan account accrues interest, compounded annually. If a PERA member <a href="https://copera.org/welcome-pera-members/life-and-job-changes/leaving-employment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaves PERA-covered employment</a> and requests a refund of their account, they receive their contributions, the interest earned on that balance, and any applicable employer match. If that member keeps their account with PERA, the balance will continue to accrue interest and the member has multiple options upon reaching retirement eligibility, including choosing a lifetime monthly benefit.</p>



<p>The Board is responsible for setting the interest rate every year; it currently stands at 3 percent. The Board’s policy evaluates the interest rate as a component of members’ overall retirement benefit. After discussing the issue, Trustees voted to keep the interest rate at 3 percent for 2025.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Trustee appointment and Board officer election</strong></h4>



<p>The Board held elections to name a new Chair and Vice Chair, as terms for current Chair Marcus Pennell and Vice Chair Taylor McLemore are set to expire. Current Vice Chair Taylor McLemore was elected Chair, and the Hon. Rebecca R. Freyre was elected Vice Chair. Outgoing Chair Marcus Pennell served the limit of two terms as Chair and was ineligible for reelection.</p>



<p>Both McLemore and Freyre will serve two-year terms.</p>



<p>In addition to electing new officers, the Board appointed Dr. Louis Fletcher to fill a School Division seat vacated by Trustee Scott Smith in September. Fletcher had the second-highest number of votes in the 2024 election for that seat, and will serve until the next election in 2025.</p>



<p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.copera.org/news/pera-board-elects-new-chair-vice-chair" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PERA Board Elects New Chair, Vice Chair</a></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Denver Public Schools “true-up” discussion</strong></h4>



<p>When legislation was passed to merge Denver Public Schools Retirement System into Colorado PERA in 2010, it included a provision that aims to equalize the ratio of unfunded actuarial accrued liability over payroll of the DPS Division and the School Division in 30 years. Every five years, PERA conducts an analysis of those ratios and whether adjustments to the DPS Division employer contribution rate would be needed to stay on track.</p>



<p>The results show that a reduction in the DPS Division’s employer contribution rate would be necessary to equalize this ratio in 2039, but the PERA Board has previously taken a formal stance in opposition to the defunding provisions—such as the 5-year “true-up”—that were included in the merger legislation, and more recently has opposed any legislation seeking to reduce contributions pursuant to the Board&#8217;s funding policy.</p>



<p>Additionally, a reduction in employer contributions from the DPS Division could increase the possibility of triggering the Automatic Adjustment Provision in future years, which could increase contributions in other divisions and further decrease the Annual Increase retirees receive on their retirement benefit.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Upcoming legislative session</strong></h4>



<p>Director of Public &amp; Government Affairs Michael Steppat and Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director Andrew Roth provided the Trustees with an update on interim legislative activity and PERA-related bills that could be introduced in the upcoming 2025 legislative session.</p>



<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/committees/pension-review-commission/2024-regular-session" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pension Review Commission</a>, which is responsible for recommending legislation pertaining to PERA and the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado, drafted two bills for the 2025 session.</p>



<p>The first, known as Bill A, is similar to a bill from last session that would provide a temporary tax credit for PERA retirees to reduce the impact of inflation. The second draft, Bill B, pertains to PERA studies and reporting and aims to lay out in statute some of the work the PERA Board already does on a regular basis and modify the cadence of those reports.</p>



<p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/state-lawmakers-pursuing-two-pera-related-bills-in-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">State Lawmakers Pursuing Two PERA-Related Bills in 2025</a></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Actuarial experience study</strong></h4>



<p>In order to accurately estimate PERA’s financial status and how much money is needed to provide benefits now and into the future, we use a set of predictions, known as actuarial assumptions, that undergo regular review and updates as needed. Those assumptions include economic factors like inflation, investment returns and payroll growth, as well as demographic assumptions such as when people retire and how long they’ll live.</p>



<p>The process of reviewing those assumptions is known as an actuarial experience study, so called because the study involves comparing PERA’s assumptions with the actual experience over a set time period. The last experience study <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/2020-experience-study-preparing-for-a-secure-future" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">took place in 2020</a>. While nobody can predict the future perfectly, regularly performing experience studies ensures our estimates of current and future benefit obligations are as accurate as possible.</p>



<p>The current experience study will look at the period between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023. This is an important period because it will show the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as higher mortality and earlier retirements.</p>



<p>Over the coming months, PERA staff will continue working with actuarial consultants to conduct the study, after which the consultants may recommend changes to some assumptions. If the Board adopts any recommended changes, we’ll be sure to provide an update on what that might mean for PERA’s finances.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Board election</strong></h4>



<p>The Board’s final action item was approving the calendar for next year’s Board election.</p>



<p>There will be five seats up for election in 2025: Three active member seats in the School Division, one active member seat in the State Division (excluding higher-education employers), and one retiree seat (School, Local Government, and Judicial Divisions only). Candidacy will open in early January, with the election taking place in May.</p>



<p>New in 2025, members and retirees will have the added option of being able to cast their votes via the Colorado PERA <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-mobile-app" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mobile app</a> or on copera.org, in addition to the option to vote by mail.</p>



<p>The Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on January 17, 2025.</p>


PERA Board Approves Budget, Member Interest Rate and More at November 2024 Meeting


<p>The PERA Board of Trustees held its annual Planning Session September 18 to 20 in Colorado Springs.</p>



<p>Over the course of three days, Trustees participated in informational meetings, workshops, and took action on a number of important items, some of which are summarized below.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Strategic planning</strong></h4>



<p>An important part of the Board’s duties is laying out PERA’s strategic direction and priorities, and the Trustees have spent several meetings working on the organization’s next strategic plan.</p>



<p>During the most recent meeting, the Board reviewed the results of surveys sent to various stakeholders, including members, retirees, and employers. Through those surveys, the Trustees were able to identify some of PERA’s top strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which will help lay out the organization’s goals for the next several years.</p>



<p>The Board expects to have a plan draft ready for Trustee review in January.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CEM Benchmarking report</strong></h4>



<p>Each year, the PERA Board receives a report from CEM Benchmarking that rates PERA on the various services it provides to members and the cost of providing those services, as well as comparing PERA to other similar public pensions.</p>



<p>This year’s CEM report gave PERA a service score of 85 compared to the peer average of 81. PERA earned particularly high scores on factors such as the average time a member spends waiting on the phone to talk to a customer service representative, the features and functionality of the secure online member portal, and participation in member education webinars.</p>



<p>CEM found PERA’s administrative costs amount to $58 per member, below the peer average of $67. Overall, the CEM report found PERA provides a higher level of service at a lower cost than the average public pension plan.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pension Review Subcommittee’s review of assumptions</strong></h4>



<p>Every three years, the State Legislature’s Pension Review Subcommittee is tasked with commissioning a report from an independent firm that is meant to evaluate the various assumptions PERA uses to forecast its financial health, as well as determining whether PERA is on track to meet its goal of full funding and a handful of other assessments.</p>



<p>The Subcommittee began that process in January and chose Switzerland-based PNYX Group to conduct the analysis. PNYX then presented its findings and recommendations in July.</p>



<p>Using its own models and projections, PNYX opined that some of PERA’s key assumptions should be adjusted based on their own assumptions and methodologies, and stated the fund could be facing a significant shortfall in future years as a result. Therefore, PNYX recommended a handful of policy options, primarily related to increasing contributions—including $2 billion from the State—in order to improve the fund’s position. Members of the Pension Review Subcommittee and Pension Review Commission expressed doubts about the feasibility of such changes.</p>



<p>In discussing with the Board, PERA staff and the board’s consultants presented on some of the methods and findings of the report, and highlighted their own confidence in the assumptions, methodologies, and models that form the basis of their own recommendations to the PERA Board. Additionally, the review missed key elements that would have made the report more comprehensive and on point, they said. For example, the Board just concluded a study of PERA’s strategic asset allocation and is beginning a study comparing actual experience over the past four years to actuaries’ projections, both of which could help address some of the findings of the PNYX report.</p>



<p>PERA staff, along with the PERA Board’s actuarial and investment consultants, presented a <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/content/ipensionrevewsubcomm2024ascheduleandmeetingmaterials" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formal response</a> to the PNYX report on September 23 and may also address the report and its findings with the Pension Review Commission on September 27.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Asset/liability study</strong></h4>



<p>The Board concluded its yearlong asset/liability study and adopted new long-term asset allocation targets for the PERA Defined Benefit Plan portfolio. The changes aim to add diversification to the portfolio over time and enhance the potential for future returns.</p>



<p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="http://copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/pera-board-adopts-new-strategic-asset-allocation-following-study">PERA Board Adopts New Strategic Asset Allocation Following Study</a></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Board meeting dates</strong></h4>



<p>Finally, Trustees wrapped up the September Planning Session by approving the calendar for 2025 Board meetings, choosing the following five dates:</p>



<ul>
<li>January 17</li>



<li>March 14</li>



<li>June 27</li>



<li>September 17-19 (Planning Session)</li>



<li>November 21</li>
</ul>



<p></p>



<p>PERA Board meetings are streamed live on <a href="https://www.copera.org/about/board-of-trustees" class="broken_link">copera.org</a> and include time for public comment. In response to a recommendation from the Pension Review Commission, meeting recordings will be available online following the Board’s November 15, 2024 meeting.</p>


PERA Board Discusses Strategic Plan, Investment Strategy and More at 2024 Planning Session


<p>The PERA Board of Trustees met in Denver on Jan. 20 for its first meeting of 2023.</p>



<p>Trustees discussed the 2023 PERA-related legislative landscape, continued work on the Board’s strategic vision for the future, and heard updates from PERA staff.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Legislative update</strong></h4>



<p>The 2023 legislative session kicked off earlier this month, and the Board’s agenda included discussing recently introduced legislation pertaining to PERA.</p>



<p>One such bill, <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb23-056" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SB23-056</a>, would require the state to make an additional payment of $35,050,000 to PERA. That amount, in addition to the amount included in <a href="https://peraontheissues.com/colorado-lawmakers-pass-bill-making-up-225m-payment-to-pera/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HB22-1029</a> from last year, is meant to fully recompense PERA for the state’s <a href="https://www.copera.org/recap-of-pera-boards-january-2023-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">direct distribution payment of $225 million</a>, missed in 2020. The Trustees support efforts to increase funding to PERA.</p>



<p>Two other bills concern PERA’s investments: <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb23-016" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SB23-016</a> would require the PERA Board to adopt a proxy voting policy that ensures any voting decisions align with the state’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, as well as require PERA to include in its annual <a href="https://www.copera.org/investment-stewardship" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Investment Stewardship Report</em></a> a description of climate-related investment risks, impacts and strategies. <a href="https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1092" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HB23-1092</a> would require PERA staff to make investment decisions solely on financial factors and would prohibit consideration of social, political, or ideological interests. The PERA Board opposes efforts to restrict PERA’s investment options or compel PERA to invest in a way that prioritizes a policy outcome over fiduciary duties.</p>



<p><a href="https://peraontheissues.com/2023-proposed-legislation-status/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a> for a regularly updated list of PERA-related bills and their status.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Strategic planning</strong></h4>



<p>The Board continued its yearlong process of developing a new strategic plan that will guide the work of the PERA Board and staff for the next half-decade. The plan’s goals will build on PERA’s mission and vision statements: To provide retirement security for our members while ensuring the sustainability of the fund, and to innovate and build on a tradition of service by being a trusted partner in order to meet the changing needs of our diverse membership.</p>



<p>The Board will continue working on a draft plan throughout the year, with the goal of adopting a new strategic plan for 2024 through 2029 by the end of the year.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Market and portfolio update</strong></h4>



<p>Chief Investment Officer/ Chief Operating Officer Amy C. McGarrity provided the Board with a market and portfolio update, in which she presented details on economic conditions and PERA’s investments.</p>



<p>While McGarrity did not have final details on PERA’s investment performance in 2022, she noted that markets had a rough year in 2022, ending the year with broadly negative returns.</p>



<p>As an investor in most markets, PERA can expect it is not immune from market downturns. As a long-term, perpetual investor, PERA remains strategically invested in the markets with the goal of earning a return over decades, McGarrity said. In fact, PERA’s most recent 30-year rate of return (through Dec. 31, 2021), which reflects many market ups and downs, is 9.0% (annualized, gross-of-fees).</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong>RELATED:</strong> <a href="https://peraontheissues.com/staying-the-course-peras-approach-to-market-volatility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Staying the Course: PERA’s Approach to Market Volatility</a></p>
</blockquote>



<p>Full audited details on PERA’s investment performance for the year will be available with PERA’s <em>Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, </em>released in June.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Chair/vice chair election</strong></h4>



<p>The Board concluded its meeting by voting on Board officers. &nbsp;Current Chair <a href="https://peraontheissues.com/meet-the-new-chair-of-peras-board/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marcus Pennell</a> and Vice Chair <a href="https://peraontheissues.com/meet-the-new-vice-chair-of-peras-board-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Suzanne Kubec</a> were both re-elected to new two-year terms.</p>



<p>Four positions on the Board <a href="https://peraontheissues.com/candidacy-open-for-four-pera-board-seats-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">are up for election this year</a>, and candidacy is now open for those seats.</p>



<p>The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees will take place on March 24, 2023.</p>


Recap of PERA Board’s January 2023 Meeting


<p>The PERA Board of Trustees met for its last meeting of 2022 on Nov. 18. The Board heard updates from PERA staff and consultants, and considered several important issues, including the next Board election, the member contribution interest rate, the results of the actuarial audit, and the Board’s strategic planning process.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2023 Board election</strong></h4>



<p>The Board approved the calendar for the 2023 Board election, where four seats will be up for election:</p>



<ul>
<li><strong>School Division</strong> – currently held by JB Phillips</li>



<li><strong>Local Government Division</strong> – currently held by Trina Ruhland</li>



<li><strong>Judicial Division</strong> – currently held by Hon. Rebecca R. Freyre</li>



<li><strong>Retiree</strong> – currently held by Timothy M. O’Brien</li>
</ul>



<p>Candidacy application will begin January 3 and the election will be held in May</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Member contribution interest rate</strong></h4>



<p>By statute, the PERA Board is required to set the interest rate paid on PERA Defined Benefit (DB) Plan accounts. In 2020, the Board <a href="https://content.copera.org/recap-of-the-pera-boards-november-2022-meeting-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">updated their policy</a> regarding the setting of the interest rate. The policy reflects the Board’s principles and evaluates the interest rate as a component of members’ overall retirement benefit. Based on the guidance provided in the policy, the Board voted to keep the current rate of 3% (compounded annually) for 2023.</p>



<p>If a PERA member leaves PERA-covered employment and requests a refund of their DB account, they receive their contributions, the interest earned on that balance, and any applicable employer match. If that member keeps their account with PERA, however, their balance will continue to accrue interest and the member will be eligible for a lifetime monthly benefit when reaching retirement eligibility.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Results of actuarial audit</strong></h4>



<p>The Board heard the results of <a href="https://content.copera.org/recap-of-the-pera-boards-november-2022-meeting-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an independent audit</a> of the work of PERA’s actuarial consultants, The Segal Group, Inc. The audit, by consulting firm Buck Global, LLC, found that Segal’s actuarial assumptions and methods are sound and in compliance with actuarial standards of practice.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://peraontheissues.com/explaining-the-role-of-actuaries-in-retirement-plans-like-pera/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Explaining the Role of Actuaries in Retirement Plans like PERA</a></p>
</blockquote>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Strategic plan update</strong></h4>



<p>Executive Director Ron Baker spoke about how the Board is continuing with its yearlong process to develop a new strategic plan to guide the organization and emphasized the current plan’s four key goals: (1) To fortify PERA’s financial resilience and adaptability, (2) to elevate PERA’s identity among stakeholders to that of a partner, (3) to strengthen organizational health and performance, and (4) to improve retirement security through “best fit” products, services, and education.</p>



<p>The Board will continue working on a draft plan throughout 2023, with the goal of adopting a new strategic plan for 2024 – 2029 by the end of the year. The strategic plan will guide the efforts of PERA staff.</p>


Tag Archives:

PERA Board Approves Budget, Member Interest Rate and More at November 2024 Meeting

PERA Board Discusses Strategic Plan, Investment Strategy and More at 2024 Planning Session

Recap of PERA Board’s January 2023 Meeting

Recap of the PERA Board’s November 2022 Meeting

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