2019 News Releases
CalSTRS statement on SEC proposed regulation
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (November 6, 2019) – In response to the Securities and Exchange Commission November 5 Proposed Proxy Advisor Regulation, CalSTRS issued the following statement:
The SEC proposed new proxy advisor and shareholder proposal threshold rules that will weaken investors’ ability to hold corporations accountable.
CalSTRS appoints William Perez as Benefits and Services Executive Officer
Perez brings more than 20 years of experience in customer service and contact center operations.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (October 14, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the nation’s largest educator-only pension fund, announced the appointment of William “Bill” Perez as Benefits and Services Executive Officer.
In his role as executive officer, effective November 4, Perez will provide high-level oversight and management of all retirement, disability and survivor benefits, member account services, benefits planning and customer contact program operations in leading CalSTRS’ largest branch. His position reports directly to CalSTRS Chief Operating Officer Cassandra Lichnock.
Teachers’ Retirement Board addresses climate change in investment portfolio
Low-Carbon Transition Work Plan will guide CalSTRS over next 18 months.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (October 7, 2019) – The Teachers’ Retirement Board initiated the implementation of a Low-Carbon Transition Work Plan at its October meeting. The transition plan builds on more than 15 years of work in climate-risk mitigation strategies.
NAGDCA Names Sandy Blair as President
Blair, Director of Retirement Readiness, oversees defined contribution plans, member education and outreach efforts.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 18, 2019) – The National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators recently elected the California State Teachers’ Retirement System’s Sandy Blair as president.
CalSTRS Names Karen Doron As Communications Director
She brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications, marketing and public relations to the position.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (August 22, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), the nation’s largest educator-only pension fund, announced the appointment of Karen Doron as communications director.
CalSTRS Seeks to Join Lawsuit to Reform Governance Practices at Facebook
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (August 20, 2019) – The Teachers’ Retirement Board today announced it will make a motion to be added as a plaintiff to a pending derivative case against Facebook’s leadership, including CEO/Chairman Mark Zuckerberg. A derivative lawsuit is brought by shareholders on behalf of a corporation to remedy harm done to the corporation.
CalSTRS Reports 6.8% Investment Return for FY 2018-19
CalSTRS returns close to target despite market volatility.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 23, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System today announced a 6.8% net return on investments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, and recorded its highest-ever fund value at $236.9 billion.
CalSTRS Head of Global Equity June Kim Highlighted as a NextGen Investor
CIO Magazine features Kim as one of 2019’s inspiring investment industry leaders.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 12, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System today announced that their Global Equity Director June Kim was selected as one of Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s 30 NextGen investors. Kim leads the largest asset class— at 51%— of the nation’s second-largest retirement system’s total portfolio.
CalSTRS Announces Sustainability-Focused Global Equity Managers
Managers selected to drive long-term value creation through intensive ESG integration.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 26, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System today announced the selection of three new global equity investment managers. The firms will collectively manage $750 million across non-U.S. focused strategies.
CalSTRS Signs Vatican Climate Action Statement
Chair of Investment Committee participates in the Pope’s dialogue on energy transition
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 17, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System, alongside leading global investors and oil and gas industry executives, today announced a collective commitment to accelerate action to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.
CalSTRS Appoints Geraldine Jimenez Director of New Investment Strategy and Risk Unit
Unit’s primary goal: improve the risk-adjusted returns of the CalSTRS portfolio through a total fund research and decision-making structure
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 13, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System announces the appointment of Geraldine Jimenez as Director of Investment Strategy and Risk. This new unit, situated in the CalSTRS Investment Branch, was established in May 2019. The unit is responsible for implementing and monitoring CalSTRS’ overall investment portfolio strategy and risk profile.
CalSTRS Global Equity Director June Kim Named as Aspen Institute Finance Leaders Fellow
Two-year program focuses on connecting finance to society-at-large
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 22, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System today announced that Global Equity Director June Kim has been selected as one of 22 Finance Leaders Fellows at the Aspen Institute, part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Fellows are nominated by a third party; each class of Fellows is made up of high-integrity, highly diverse individuals who have something to teach and to learn from the others.
CalSTRS Opens Member Service Center in Fresno
Fresno full-service member center is the eighth to open statewide since 2009
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 20, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System today announced the opening of its eighth member center, in Fresno’s Civic Center Square.
Other CalSTRS service centers are in Glendale, Irvine, Riverside, Redding, Santa Clara, San Diego, and at the CalSTRS headquarters in West Sacramento.
CalSTRS Now a Majority Owner in Fairfield Residential
Acquisition consistent with Collaborative Model framework for real estate
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 15, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System today announced its acquisition of the majority interest in Fairfield Residential Company LLC from Brookfield Asset Management. Brookfield retained its interest in the investment manager of Fairfield’s affiliated real estate funds. Recently CalSTRS adopted a Collaborative Model for investments across all asset classes in its portfolio. This approach supports identifying and investing in strategic opportunities, such as the acquisition of real estate operating companies like Fairfield.
CalSTRS Releases Valuation for 2018
Slight improvement reflects better than expected investment returns
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 9, 2019) – The Teachers’ Retirement Board today received the results of the actuarial valuation for the CalSTRS Defined Benefit Program as of June 30, 2018. The actuarial valuation provides a snapshot-in-time of the system’s financial health, in addition to monitoring the system’s funding status and its ability to meet long-term commitments.
Teachers’ Retirement Board Elects Chair and Vice Chair
Board members selected Sharon Hendricks as Chair and Harry Keiley as Vice Chair
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 9, 2019) – The trustees of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System today elected Sharon Hendricks as board chair and Harry Keiley as vice chair for the 2019-20 term.
CalSTRS Announces its Latest Progress Report Toward Long-Term Sustainability
Fifth annual report showcases advances in pension plan full funding, retirement preparedness and cybersecurity
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 25, 2019)– The California State Teachers’ Retirement System today released its fifth annual Sustainability Report. The report, based on data from fiscal year 2017-18, uses the Global Reporting Initiative Standards: Core option.
CalSTRS Trustee Sharon Hendricks Elected to PRI Board
Principles of Responsible Investment is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 15, 2019) – California State Teachers’ Retirement System announced that trustee Sharon Hendricks was elected to the PRI Association Board. As an independent organization, PRI encourages investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage risks.
Governor Announces Appointment to CalSTRS Board
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 8, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System announced that Governor Newsom has appointed William Prezant to the California State Teachers’ Retirement Board. The board oversees the retirement benefits for California’s prekindergarten–12 and community college educators covered under the California State Teachers’ Retirement System.
CalSTRS Board Trustees Certified for Four-Year Term
Teachers’ Retirement Board member representatives will serve through 2023
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (January 16, 2019) – The California State Teachers’ Retirement System today announced the certification of three member representatives to the CalSTRS governing board. The members will each serve a four-year term, which begins January 1, 2020.
The three candidates, two who represent pre-kindergarten to 12th grade educators and one who represents community college educators, were not opposed and were certified elected by CalSTRS Chief Executive Officer Jack Ehnes.