SPRINGFIELD, IL – In a “volatile” year for worldwide financial markets, the investment strategy employed by Teachers’ Retirement System protected member assets and limited the System’s portfolio loss in fiscal year 2022 to -1.17% net of fees, a favorable rate of return compared to other public pension systems across the country.

While a setback in the System’s progress toward long-term financial health, a negative investment return in a volatile economic year has not harmed the System.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees today reviewed more than $1.53 billion in investment commitments made during June and July.

The System committed $680 million and €130 million to 12 private equity opportunities, $200 million to an opportunity in the Real Assets Portfolio and up to $650 million to an opportunity in the Global Income Portfolio. The following specific investment actions were presented to the trustees during its regularly scheduled August meeting:

TRS Investment Strategy Protects 2021 Gains Despite Market Volatility

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – The diversified, risk-aware investment strategy employed by Teachers’ Retirement System in response to an unpredictable economy and roller-coaster markets protected System assets during the first nine months of fiscal year 2022.

At the end of the March quarter of fiscal year 2022, TRS assets totaled $66.1 billion, in line with the $66.02 billion total recorded at the end of the December quarter. TRS was able to retain value in spite of market declines, including a negative 4.6% March quarter return for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.

Gov. Pritzker Calls for $500 Million in “Extra” Funding for State Pensions

Gov.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor JB Pritzker’s plan to appropriate more money than the minimum requirement to Illinois’ public pensions in fiscal year 2023 was praised Thursday by TRS leaders as a commitment to improve the retirement security of the state’s teachers.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The TRS Board of Trustees has given final approval to a fiscal year 2023 state government contribution to TRS of $5.89 billion. 

The TRS Board is required each year to calculate and certify the state’s annual contribution to the System for the next fiscal year. A preliminary contribution calculated in October was reviewed by the State Actuary, Cheiron, Inc., of McLean, Virginia, prior to final approval by TRS. The certified contribution is now forwarded to state officials for inclusion in the FY 2023 state budget. 

SPRINGFIELD, IL –The long-term funded ratio of Teachers’ Retirement System improved slightly during fiscal year 2021 to 42.5 percent after several years of hovering at 40 percent.

And the TRS Board of Trustees approved a state government contribution for the System of $5.89 billion for FY 2023, a 4 percent increase over the state’s $5.69 billion contribution for the current fiscal year.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Teachers’ Retirement System has engaged Lenox Park Solutions, of Austin, Texas, to help develop a standardized metric scoring tool for diversity, equity and inclusion when analyzing potential investment opportunities and monitoring existing relationships.

Founded in 2010, Lenox Park provides diversity consulting services for numerous institutional investors, businesses and money managers.