Investing In Pension Funds And Endowments

On the heels of Enron and other high-profile debacles, the performance of pension fund managers is one of today's hot-button topics. Investing in Pension Funds and Endowments provides tools and guidance for managers to operate prudently while achieving the high rates of return required for successful longterm asset growth. This accessible how-to reference covers all aspects of tax-free investing for pension funds, endowments, trusts, and foundations.

Crucial methods, tactics and tools for successful pension fund management Achieving Investment Excellence offers trustees and asset managers a comprehensive handbook for improving the quality of their investments. With a stated goal of substantially and sustainably improving annual returns, this book clarifies and demystifies important concepts surrounding trustee duties and responsibilities, investment strategies, analysis, evaluation and much more. Low interest rates are making the high cost of future pension payouts fraught with tension, even as the time and knowledge required to manage these funds appropriately increases — it is no wonder that pensions are increasingly seen as a financial liability. Now more than ever, it is critical that trustees understand exactly what contributes to investment success — and what detracts from it. This book details the roles, the tools and the strategies that make pension funds pay off. Understand the role of pension funds and the fiduciary duty of trustees Learn the tools and kills you need to build profound and lasting investment excellence Analyse, diagnose and improve investment quality of funds using concrete tools and instruments Study illustrative examples that demonstrate critical implementation and execution advice Packed with expert insight, crucial tools and real-life examples, this book is an important resource for those tasked with governing these. Achieving Investment Excellence provides the expert insight, clear guidance and key wisdom you need to manage these funds successfully.

An informative guide to selecting and evaluating external investment professionals This book-one of the very few of its kind-is an invaluable aid to trustees of pension plans, endowments, and trusts who seek to chart and navigate courses for governing and overseeing the investment of the trillions of dollars under their care. It covers many aspects of this essential endeavor, including return measures, fixed income and duration, manager searches, committee meetings, and much more. G. Timothy Haight (Atherton, CA) is President of Menlo College in Silicon Valley. Stephen O. Morrell, PhD (Coral Springs, FL) is Professor at Andreas School of Business of Barry University. Glenn Ross (Baltimore, MD) is a Managing Director and cofounder of Archstone Portfolio Solutions.

Who holds the power in financial markets? For many, the answer would probably be the large investment banks, big asset managers, and hedge funds. These are the organizations that are in the media's spotlight and whose leaders and employees command outsized salaries and bonuses. They are the supposed leading edge of global finance and their power seems almost absolute, even as questions abound about their social and economic utility. But more and more asset owners are confronting the status quo, the power to exact high fees and the focus on the short term. The New Frontier Investors chronicles the rise of this new group of long horizon asset owners that includes some of the world's largest pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and endowments. These asset owners are driving the business of asset management to a new frontier by retaking responsibility of the end-to-end management of their investment portfolios and by re-conceptualizing investment decision-making. The lessons illustrated in The New Frontier Investors fly in the face of conventional wisdom, which has it that these asset owners are at a disadvantage to the private sector fund managers and other service providers. These asset owners are supposedly not able to attract talent nor do they have the organizational capabilities to compete. That many are located far from the markets in which they invest only exacerbates the problem. But this is incorrect. This expanding group of asset owners is learning how to make the most of their scale and long time horizons, finding new ways to attract talent, to collaborate, and to build greater alignment with the users of capital. They are not at a disadvantage. They are at an advantage. The New Frontier Investors is essential reading for anyone wanting to see a change in global financial markets and the professionalization of asset owners worldwide, from public pension funds and sovereign wealth funds to foundations and endowments. It is thus required reading for the senior executives and employees working in the field of beneficiary institutional investment, as well as government officials and others that have a stake in the design and governance of beneficiary financial institutions and long-term capital.

Praise for The Independent Fiduciary "Rusty Olson is a pioneer and leader in wise investing for pension funds. Institutional executives in all nations should study his experienced advice." --John M. Templeton Founder, Templeton Investment Counsel "Rusty Olson has provided a reader-friendly tour through the complex jungle of investing, pointing out both the opportunities and pitfalls that lie before the independent fiduciary. At once constructive and skeptical, his common sense--particularly the wit and wisdom of Chapter 18, 'Aphorisms'--shows through this thoughtful book." --John C. Bogle Founder, The Vanguard Group "Rusty Olson is one of the best managers the fund sponsor side has ever produced. He understands the risk and reward of diverse asset classes and has the stomach to follow his convictions. He is in every sense a professional investor." --William Crerend Founder, Evaluation Associates, Inc. "I can highly recommend Rusty Olson's new book on the basis of almost twenty years' experience with him. He touches on all the bases of possible intelligent investment, by no means limiting his responsibilities to the active market of the stock exchange, NASDAQ, etc. It would seem essential that every library in the country should want to own this volume." --Roy R. Neuberger Founder, Neuberger Berman "Rusty Olson is a wise fiduciary. Drawing on his vast experience he introduces the language, concepts, and issues that every fiduciary must understand and suggests solutions to many thorny problems." --Barr Rosenberg Chairman, AXA Rosenberg Group LLC "Rusty Olson has been one of the most intense students and brilliant executors of investment opportunities and risk assessment for retirement funds. BARRA RogersCasey has had the honor to serve Rusty and Eastman Kodak for over twenty years--always learning from him. The Independent Fiduciary will evolve into Retirement Fund Investing 101 for newcomers and experienced practitioners alike." --John F. Casey Chairman, BARRA RogersCasey

Comprehensive coverage of what it takes to be a responsible member of an investment committee In a clear, organized, and easy-to-understand manner, this handbook explains the responsibilities and expectations of investment committee fiduciaries for pension funds, endowment funds, and foundations. Emphasizing all the do's and don'ts to follow for prudent investment management, this invaluable resource covers topics ranging from investment policy, asset allocation, and risk assessment to understanding information presented at committee meetings, asking meaningful and productive questions, and voting on recommendations knowledgeably. This book will empower readers with all the knowledge they need to feel confident in the investment decisions they make for their organizations