With environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing on the rise and calls for public pensions to divest from fossil fuels, private prisons, gun manufacturers, and others, IPFI compiled the latest research to determine the efficacy of ESG investing for public pensions. Public pensions across the country are facing almost $6 trillion in unfunded liabilities. Any […]
COMMENTARY: It’s Proxy Season And Here’s Why That Matters For Public Pensions
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
What the SEC’s Proposed Rule Means for Investors
This article originally appeared on Morning Consult on March 5, 2020. In the new year, we often make many promises. This time, we must resolve to protect the interests of retail and institutional investors from the meddling of proxy advisory firms. I have always argued for clear and navigable investment voting processes, and this moment […]
Commentary: The Department Of Labor Takes Much-Needed Steps Toward Ensuring Fiduciary Obligations
This article originally appeared in Forbes on September 22, 2020. The time to ensure that pension fund managers are bound by their fiduciary obligation to their beneficiaries and not by any other political motives is now. Prioritizing issues other than pure financial returns may be an acceptable strategy for individuals managing their own money or […]