At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Greta Thunberg demanded an end to all investments in fossil fuels. While Ms. Thunberg may have good intentions, her demands are indicative of the economic ignorance found in today’s activists. Unfortunately, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has fallen victim to the same flawed reasoning. Just ahead of the […]
Case for Proxy Reform Glaringly Evident After Latest Debate
On January 27, the Bipartisan Policy Center hosted a discussion on the SEC’s proposed reforms to the proxy voting process. Tom Quaadman, Executive Vice President of the U.S. Chamber Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness and Pat McGurn, Special Counsel and Head of Strategic Research and Analysis at Institutional Shareholder Services examined the key elements of […]
LACERS Must Stand Up Against Divestment Pressure
As the new year begins, fiduciaries must remain vigilant against misguided abuse of our nation’s pensions. Those in charge of California’s retirees have a duty to manage the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) with the sole objective of increasing returns. Forced divestment and politically-motivated financial decisions have been shown to compromise that outcome. […]
CalSTRS Need to Focus More on Investment Performance, Less on Proxy Advisory Firms
The issue of proxy advisory reform is at the center of debate now with the SEC entering into a formal rulemaking process to roll back some of these firm’s unchecked powers. These firms have been known to make recommendations misconstruing or misinterpreting data, they have been allowed to operate and make recommendations with clear conflicts […]
PRESS RELEASE: IPFI Applauds SEC’s Actions Fixing the Proxy Advisory Process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 14, 2019 IPFI Applauds SEC’s Actions Fixing the Proxy Advisory Process The Institute for Pension Fund Integrity welcomes the SEC’s latest proposed rules, which seek to restore trust and accountability to the shareholder voting process by addressing a range of negative practices rampant in proxy advisory services. Arlington, VA – Last […]
PRESS RELEASE: California Treasurer Inserts Politics Into the Management of Teacher Retirement Fund
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2019 California Treasurer Inserts Politics Into the Management of Teacher Retirement Fund The Institute for Pension Fund Integrity urges California Treasurer Fiona Ma to prioritize her fiduciary duty instead of politics to optimize state investments. Arlington, VA – Yesterday, California Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, decided that supporting a political stunt […]
PRESS RELEASE: SEC Commission Guidance on Proxy Voting is Encouraging
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 21, 2019 SEC Commission Guidance on Proxy Voting is Encouraging The Institute for Pension Fund Integrity commends the SEC for moving towards greater clarity on the proxy voting requirements and fiduciary responsibility for institutional investors. However, more is needed. Arlington, VA – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been reviewing […]
Opinion/Letter: Divestment vote was doubly wrong – Christopher Burnham in the Charlottesville Daily Progress
This letter to the Editor originally appeared in the Charlottesville The Daily Progress on August 13, 2019 Charlottesville voted to divest from fossil fuels and national defense companies. The City Council of Charlottesville seeks to disassociate itself from companies that fuel our cars, heat our schools and businesses, or support our armed forces. As a Virginian and […]
PRESS RELEASE: IPFI Urges Pittsburgh Pension Board to Stay Strong Against Politicization of Fund
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2019 IPFI Urges Pittsburgh Pension Board to Stay Strong Against Politicization of Fund As the Pittsburgh Comprehensive Municipal Pension Trust Fund faces calls to divest from gun manufacturers and other companies, board members should continue prioritizing the secure retirement of its retirees. Arlington, VA – On the heels of […]
PRESS RELEASE: Pension Funds Should Not be Used as Leverage for Social Movements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2019 Pension Funds Should Not be Used as Leverage for Social Movements The Institute for Pension Fund Integrity hosted a morning breakfast discussion on public pensions, proxy advisory firms, and the ESG investing with all participants ultimately agreeing that “pension funds should not be used as leverage for […]