Pension Problems - Interview with Ken Horsman, PEPP

Kenneth R. Horsman became Chair of the Public Employees Pension Board on March 23, 2005. Mr. Horsman was a long serving member of the Saskatchewan civil service.

News News News conducted this interview on Tuesday November 4, 2008.

NNN: What impact has the financial crisis had on the investments that PEPP makes on behalf of government employees? Were some investments affected more than others?

KH: The months of September and October were among the worst ever recorded in global financial markets. Our Plan felt the broad market impacts. The Public Employees Pension Plan (PEPP) offers members several investment choices to choose from. These investment choices, referred to as the PEPP Funds, each invest in various asset classes that carry different risks and rewards -equities, fixed income (such as bonds) or real estate. The funds with the higher percentage of equities have been more adversely affected than those with a greater percentage of fixed income.

NNN: What are your expectations of these investments as of this date?

KH: Pensions are a long-term investment. For the Plan’s 31 year existence, the average returns have been 10.5% for the Balanced Fund. Markets fluctuate, but they have always come back. That continues to be an expectation.

NNN: Is there an investment strategy that you will be pursuing in the wake of this crisis?

KH: PEPP has a Statement of Investment Policies and Goals (SIP&G) that was designed to balance risk and return, in positive and negative markets. The Plan benefits from the discipline of following its policies through times of market downturn.

NNN: What does this mean for members who may be approaching retirement age?

KH: In light of the market turmoil, members approaching retirement may want to re-examine their financial position. Members will want to ensure they are still comfortable with the timing of their retirement. There are options for members approaching retirement that include the Variable Pension (VP) Benefit and annuities. Members should keep these in mind when making their retirement plans.

NNN: Are there actions that provincial or federal governments can make that could protect pension investments?

KH: I do not believe it would be appropriate to offer a comment on that.

NNN: Is there any standard advice that you are providing to employees who are concerned about their retirement savings?

KH: Pensions are a long-term investment. While it may be hard to focus on the long-term when the market is down, members should try to recall why they originally selected their investment fund. Experience has demonstrated the negative consequences of moving investments in and out of the market.