frequently asked questions about psers’ investments · what are psers’ investment objectives?...

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM

Frequently Asked Questions About PSERS’ Investments

Updated: August 2016

Table of Contents

1

What are PSERS’ Investment Objectives?

PSERS Investments are a Profit Center

How Does PSERS Achieve its Return Objectives?

PSERS’ Success Blending Passive and Active Strategies

How Does PSERS Evaluate its Investment Manager Fees?

Why Does PSERS Invest in Hedge Funds, Private Equity and Private Real Estate?

Has PSERS Achieved its Investment Objectives?

How Have PSERS’ Investments Benefitted the Commonwealth?

2

RETURN: to meet or exceed the actuarial rate (currently 7.25%) over the long-term. RISK: to minimize the risk of losses through diversification. CONSTRAINTS:

To maintain adequate liquidity to meet required benefit payments; and To act solely in the interests of the members of the System and for the

exclusive benefit of the System’s members, and their beneficiaries.


3

RETURN OBJECTIVE: The overall return objective is to realize a return sufficient

to achieve funding adequacy on an inflation-adjusted basis. The System has a return objective of meeting or exceeding the actuarial rate (currently 7.25%) over the long-term. In addition, the Board has the following broad objectives: The assets of the System shall be invested to maximize the returns for the

level of risk taken; and, The System shall strive to achieve a return that exceeds PSERS’ Policy

Index.


4

RISK OBJECTIVES:

The assets of the System shall be diversified to minimize the risk of losses within any one asset class, investment type, industry or sector exposure, maturity date, or geographic location. Failure to do so could seriously impair the System’s ability to achieve its funding and long-term investment goals and objectives; and,

The System’s assets shall invested so that the probability of investment losses (as measured by the Policy Index) in excess of 15% in any one year is no greater than 2.5% (or two standard deviations below the expected return).


5

CONSTRAINTS:

Downside Risk, or the risk of loss of capital The Commonwealth and school districts already face significant fiscal

challenges. Large investment losses could result in even larger requirement for

employer contributions. Risk-averse investment strategies that limit the probability of losses are

most appropriate in this environment. Liquidity Risk PSERS currently pays out over $6 billion in member benefits annually. Member benefit payments exceeded employee and employer

contributions by over $3.1 billion in FY 2008, and have modestly shrunk to $2.6 billion for FY 2015.

Maintaining adequate short term liquidity is an expense to the taxpayer because it limits PSERS’ ability to achieve long term return objectives.


6

CONSTRAINTS (con’t)

Fiduciary Standard: Commonwealth law requires PSERS’ investments to be made solely for the benefit of the members.

Prudent Person Standard: Commonwealth law requires PSERS’ Board exercise “that degree of judgment, skill and care under the circumstances then prevailing which persons of prudence, discretion and intelligence who are familiar with such matters exercise in the management of their own affairs…”.


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How Does PSERS Evaluate its Investment Manager Fees? PSERS Investments are a Profit Center Why Does PSERS Invest in Hedge Funds, Private Equity and Private Real Estate?

Has PSERS Achieved its Investments Objectives?


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ASSET ALLOCATION POLICY

The mix of stocks, bonds, and other classes of investment assets targeted by the fund.

The Asset Allocation Policy is typically responsible for 80% to 90% of investment performance.

MANAGER SELECTION AND ALLOCATION TILTS

Mix of Active/Passive and other investment strategies within and between asset classes.

Typically responsible for about 10% to 20% of investment performance.


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Asset Allocation Considerations:

PSERS’ investment time horizon; Capital market assumptions (e.g., expected return, risk, correlations); Return targets; Demographics of plan participants and beneficiaries, and actuarial analysis; Cash flow requirements; PSERS’ funded status; The Commonwealth’s and School Districts’ financial strength; and The Board’s willingness and ability to take on risk.

PSERS’ asset allocation plan is designed to meet the unique needs of a defined benefit system that is currently underfunded and had been receiving employer contributions below the actuarial required contribution for over 10 years.


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Manager Selection Criteria:

Have a unique insight or process; Have the ability to add consistent excess returns above passive

alternatives, net of fees; Process is sustainable and timeless; Have adequate capacity to execute the strategy; Add diversification to our existing investment structure; Do not exhibit style drift; and Exhibit a high level of ethical behavior.


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Passive and active strategies each play important roles


Passive Strategies Active Strategies

Investment Goal Endeavor to achieve the return of the targeted market over extended periods

Endeavor to exceed the return of the targeted market over extended periods

Costs Generally lower (less management need)

Generally higher (more management required)

Investment Risks Generally exhibit volatility similar to the index replicated

Varies greatly depending on strategy details

Availability in Public Markets

Nearly all public markets; effectiveness is usually good in deep, developed markets but less effective in smaller and emerging markets

All public markets; effectiveness often struggles in deep, developed markets but is often more effective in smaller and emerging markets

Availability in Private Markets Rarely available in private markets Well-developed market for institutional investors

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How Does PSERS Achieve its Return Objectives? PSERS’ Success Blending Passive and Active Strategies How Does PSERS Evaluate its Investment Manager Fees?


Has PSERS Achieved its Investments Objectives? How Have PSERS’ Investments Benefitted the Commonwealth?

13

When passive strategies are appropriate, PSERS’ staff have outperformed

outsourced alternatives.


Comparison of Net of Fees Performance of Vanguard S&P 500 Index

versus PSERS S&P 500 Index For Years Ending December 31, 2015

Vanguard S&P 500

PSERS S&P 500 PSERS Outperformance

1 Year 1.25% 1.43% 0.18% 5 Year 12.40% 12.65% 0.25% 10 Year 7.18% 7.61% 0.43%

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PSERS has better returns than passive alternatives, even with fees and expenses

taken into account, at lower levels of risk.


1 3 5 10

PSERS -1.80% 5.08% 6.15% 5.01%Policy Benchmark -2.49% 3.24% 4.14% 3.72%

Value Added as Percentage over Pure Index 0.69% 1.84% 2.01% 1.29%Value Added in $ Billions over Pure Index $0.32 $0.86 $0.94 $0.60

1 3 5 10PSERS -0.31 1.02 1.2 0.42

-0.45 0.71 0.83 0.32

PSERS 5.54% 4.95% 5.08% 10.39%5.37% 4.63% 4.97% 9.15%

Comparison of Net of Fee Annualized Performance of PSERS Total Fund versus Policy Benchmark For Years Ending December 31, 2015

Performance

Sharpe RatioPolicy Benchmark

Standard DeviationPolicy Benchmark

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PSERS’ Success Blending Passive and Active Strategies How Does PSERS Evaluate its Investment Manager Fees?


Has PSERS Achieved its Investment Objectives? How Have PSERS’ Investments Benefitted the Commonwealth?

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Integrated with asset allocation & investment manager selection processes. PSERS’ contracts require lowest fees offered (“Most Favored Nation”). Business Case: For the fees to be paid, how likely is it that the investments will be

profitable?


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The success of PSERS’ investment activities should be evaluated as any business

by asking:

ARE PSERS’ INVESTMENTS PROFITABLE TO THE COMMONWEALTH?


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Fees are actual total investment expenses, and include investment management fees, service provider fees (e.g., custodian), consultant fees, and overhead (personnel, technology, etc.)


Fiscal Year Ended June 30

Actual Investment Return above Policy Benchmark Return,

Before Fees("REVENUES")

Fees("COSTS")

Actual Investment Return above Policy

Benchmark Return, After Fees

("PROFIT")2015 $ 952 $ 455 $ 497 2014 $ 2,001 $ 482 $ 1,519 2013 $ 1,801 $ 558 $ 1,243 2012 $ 1,381 $ 481 $ 900 2011 $ 2,088 $ 515 $ 1,573 2010 $ 2,276 $ 522 $ 1,754 2009 $ (2,653) $ 478 $ (3,131)2008 $ (219) $ 399 $ (618)2007 $ 2,674 $ 314 $ 2,360 2006 $ 1,846 $ 211 $ 1,635

$ 12,148 $ 4,415 $ 7,733

Dollar amounts in millions.

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Over the last 10 fiscal years, PSERS earned $12.1 billion OVER indexed market

returns, incurred $4.4 billion in investment expenses, and earned a profit of $7.7 billion.


2006 - 2015 Total

Actual Investment Return above Policy Benchmark, Before Fees ("REVENUES")

$ 12,148

Fees ("COSTS") $ 4,415

Actual Investment Return above Policy Benchmark, After Fees ("PROFIT")

$ 7,733

Dollar amounts in millions.

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Hedge Funds, Private Equity, and Private Real Estate are expensive asset classes:

In isolation, fees paid to managers in these asset classes are higher than fees paid in other asset classes.

Reasons why fees are higher can include: Larger management teams. Greater infrastructure needs. Limited capacity (not scalable like an index).

– Supply vs. demand leads to higher costs. Unique strategies are difficult to replicate. Intellectual capabilities. Proprietary insights.

Why Does PSERS Invest in Hedge Funds, Private Equity, and Private Real Estate?

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To generate returns that are uncorrelated to equity, fixed income, and commodity

markets: Improves diversification, reduces investment risks. Proprietary strategies take advantage of market inefficiencies. Access to top-quartile investment managers to implement these strategies.

Why Does PSERS Invest in Hedge Funds?

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Attractive excess returns can be achieved over public equity:

Market inefficiencies in private markets. Illiquidity premium expected for committing capital for periods in excess of 5

years. Access to top-quartile managers and excellent consulting relationships to

exploit these inefficiencies. Greater diversification using both public and private equities reduces

investment risks.

Why Does PSERS Invest in Private Equity?

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PSERS Private Equity investments have outperformed publicly traded stocks, net of

all investment management fees

Why Does PSERS Invest in Private Equity?

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PSERS Private Equity through September 2015 Actual NAV versus if Invested in VITSX

($ amounts in billions)

PSERS Private Equity Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VITSX)

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How Does PSERS Achieve its Return Objectives? PSERS’ Success Blending Passive and Active Strategies





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PSERS has better returns than its targeted policy benchmark, even when all fees and expenses are taken into account:

1 3 5 10PSERS -1.80% 5.08% 6.15% 5.01%

-2.49% 3.24% 4.14% 3.72%0.69% 1.84% 2.01% 1.29%

Annualized Net of Fee Performance for Years Ending December 31, 2015

Policy BenchmarkValue-added %

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How Does PSERS Achieve its Return Objectives? PSERS’ Success Blending Passive and Active Strategies





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Pennsylvania-based investment managers or partnerships were managing 34.7% of

PSERS’ assets, or $16.2 billion, as of December 31, 2015. This includes portfolios managed by staff and 39 Pennsylvania-based investment

managers or partnerships.


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Asset Class

Total PA Market Value (PSERS'

Portion)

Total PA Market Value (Total

Invested)# of People Employed Payroll

U.S. Equities $ 175.7 $ 175.7 * *Fixed Income $ 61.5 $ 61.5 * *Private Real Estate $ 79.8 $ 2,327.4 290 $ 6.8 Private Markets:

Venture Capital $ 121.4 $ 408.9 3,419 $ 77.9 Private Equity $ 1,073.1 $ 13,512.5 22,492 $ 535.7 Private Debt $ 201.7 $ 1,689.7 8,426 $ 207.6

Total $ 1,713.2 $ 18,176.0 34,627 $ 828.0

Summary of Investments in Pennsylvania as of December 31, 2015($'s in millions)

*Statistics for publicly traded companies not included due to the difficulty in obtaining the information.

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More Investment Earnings = Lower Employer Contributions from both School

Districts and the Commonwealth. Investments in PA Businesses = PA Employment + PA Corporate and Real Estate

Tax Revenue.


COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM

Frequently Asked Questions About PSERS’ Investments

Updated: August 2016

frequently asked questions about psers’ investments · what are psers’ investment objectives?...

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