09/27/2018
NYSTRS remains one of the best-funded public pension plans in the country, according to a survey of the nation’s largest 100 public pension systems conducted by the publication Pensions & Investments.
NYSTRS was nearly 98% funded using an actuarial value of assets and virtually 100% funded based on a market value of assets as of June 30, 2017. That places the System solidly among the list of top performers, which also includes the District of Columbia Retirement Board, the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, and the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, according to P&I.
Consistent receipt of required employee and employer contributions combined with a disciplined, risk-controlled investment policy continue to be the keys to NYSTRS’ strength.
According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College (CRR), pension systems that experience financial problems are those that receive less than the required contribution amount. CRR found that pension funds ranked in the top third are about 90% funded on average while the middle third is about 70% funded and the lowest third is about 55% funded.