Title
Discussion of Section 115 OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) Trust and Pension Trust Investment Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2023
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Finance Committee review and recommend the City Council approve the OPEB Trust and Pension Trust investment report for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
DISCUSSION
OPEB Trust
In 2008-2009, the City established the Section 115 OPEB Trust with PARS. Its primary purpose is accumulating resources in trust and generating investment income to fund the City’s OPEB obligations in future years. The trust account was set up with an initial contribution of $500,000, and the City has been proactive in funding future liabilities. Over the years, the City Council has authorized various contributions into the trust. At the end of June 30, 2023, assets in the OPEB Trust total $19,960,000 including contributions and investment earnings. The inception-to-date investment return is 5.20%.
Pension Trust
In 2021, the City Council authorized establishing a Section 115 Pension Trust with PARS. The goal is setting aside funds and accumulating investment earnings to buy down the City’s unfunded CalPERS pension liabilities. At the beginning of the second quarter of 2023, assets in the Pension Trust totaled $14,400,000, including both contributions (since inception of the fund in 2021-22) and investment earnings.
In December 2022, the City Council authorized the transfer of funds from the set-aside for potential City liability for the Alameda County Fire Department’s unfunded OPEB obligation. Following the agreement between the City and ACFD limiting the City’s OPEB liability to ACFD, a total of $8,222,700 was transferred from the City’s ACFD set-aside to the Pension Trust. Going forward, the City will pay the full cost of current ACFD contract services, including the amortized portion of the ACFD unfunded OPEB costs.
At the end of June 2023, the assets in the Pension Trust totaled $14,850,000. The 3-month investment return was 3.08%, and the inception-to-date investment return is negative 3.88%. The stock market has been volatile due to high inflation, fear of recession, and the Ukraine war crisis.
Quarterly Investment Report
HighMark Capital has prepared a quarterly investment report for the OPEB Trust and Pension Trust for the period ending June 30, 2023, summarizing the investment performance. The asset allocations for both the OPEB Trust and the Pension Trust for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, comport with the investment policies.
Assets in the OPEB Trust portfolio increased from $19,600,000 in the prior quarter to $19,960,000. Assets in the Pension Trust were $14,400,000, representing initial contributions from the City and the ACFD-transfer; are now $14,850,000. Investment fluctuations are expected due to changing market conditions.
Investment returns are as follows. Please refer to the attached investment report for details.
Trust 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years Inception to Date
OPEB 4.83% 1.88% 3.43% 4.13% 5.20%
Pension 9.06% N/A N/A N/A -3.88%
ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment A: Investment Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2023
• Attachment B: OPEB Trust and Pension Trust Investment Report Presentation for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2023
PREPARED BY
T. Michael Yuen, Finance Director