This op-ed originally appeared in Forbes on June 13, 2019. This is the time of year when publicly traded companies host their annual shareholder meetings. During these meetings the shareholders vote their shares on various issues impacting the company. The company’s proxy statement will include shareholder resolutions on everything from executive pay to proposals that impact how the company […]
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 […]
COMMENTARY: Safeguarding the pensions of public employees; With proxy reforms the SEC takes a first step in improving the health of U.S. pension funds
This op-ed originally appeared in The Washington Times on October 8th, 2019. Nearly a year after it held a roundtable on the topic, the Securities and Exchange Commission on Aug. 21 issued “an interpretation that proxy voting advice provided by proxy advisory firms generally constitutes a ‘solicitation’ under the federal proxy rules.” This is a […]
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 […]
COMMENTARY: Senate Banking Hearing with SEC Chairman Must Address Proxy Advisory Firms
This article originally appeared in Morning Consult on December 10th, 2019. On Dec. 10, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs will hold an oversight hearing on the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among all of the SEC’s priorities, the Senate Banking Committee should raise the topic of proxy advisory reform. With the public […]
The SEC Is Right To Force More Transparency Into Proxy Voting
This article originally appeared in Forbes on January 31, 2020. The Securities and Exchange Commission is about to take an important first step in bringing accountability and transparency to the proxy voting world. For far too long pension funds have off-loaded their fiduciary duty to their beneficiaries to proxy advisory firms by outsourcing to them, the review […]