Pension Pulse

Palash Ghosh of Pensions & Investments reports AIMCo appoints 2 co-chief investment officers: Sandra Lau and James Barber were named co-chief investment officers of Alberta Investment Management Corp., effective March 1. Ms. Lau was appointed co-chief investment officer-head of public investments, while Mr. Barber was named co-chief investment officer-head of private investments, according to a news release issued on Thursday. Ms. Lau and Mr. Barber together succeed Dale MacMaster, who announced his retirement from AIMCo last October. Mr. MacMaster served with the company for 23 years, the last seven years as its chief investment officer, the release noted. In their new roles, Mr. Barber will be responsible for real estate, infrastructure, private equity and private debt and loans, while Ms. Lau will be "responsible for bringing together fixed income, mortgages and public equities addressing clients' needs for more liquid investments," AIMCo added in th...

CDPQ released its results today, posting a 13.5% return in 2021, 8.9% over five years: In 2021, CDPQ posted its best absolute and relative returns since   2010 and produced over $10   billion in value added Depositors’ net assets totalled $420   billion, with close to $49   billion in investment results Total assets in Québec posted highest ever growth, reaching $78   billion, including $60   billion in the private sector Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) today presented its financial results for the year ended December   31,   2021. The weighted-average return on its depositors’ funds was 13.5% in   2021, compared with 10.7% for the benchmark portfolio, representing $10.4   billion in value added. The annualized returns over five and ten years were 8.9% and 9.6%, respectively, also outperforming the benchmark portfolio . As at Decemb...

In mid November, CAAT Pension Plan quietly made an announcement on how it is bringing the best of DB, DC, and Group RRSP to Canadian workplaces: The CAAT Pension Plan continues to enhance workplace pensions in Canada with a Modern defined benefit (DB) plan design that adapts to a variety of workplace needs. Its most recent innovation, DBplus with Contribution Choice launches January 1, 2022. In addition to filling the need for a simple, value-driven workplace pension plan that improves attraction, retention, and lowers stress, Contribution Choice responds to industry requests for additional contribution flexibility — typically only available in defined contribution (DC) or group RRSP programs. In 2019, CAAT’s DBplus revolutionized the workplace retirement space in Canada by bringing the best of DB and DC together. The award winning DBplus provides lifetime retirement income to members at a fixed and affordable cost for employers. Like DC or group RRSPs, there are no balance...

Barbara Shecter of the Financial Post reports it's 'a big deal' as Canadian Nicole Musicco lands high-profile job as investment chief at US$480-billion CalPERS: A Canadian pension executive with a low public profile has landed one of the highest-profile money management jobs in the United States, as chief investment officer at the US$480-billion California Public Employees’ Pension Retirement System, better known as CalPERS. Nicole Musicco, 47, who worked in public and private equity at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario before leading the Canadian business of private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners — which she helped fund while at Teachers — will take the investment reins at the high-profile state pension fund on March 28, reporting to CEO Marcie Frost. “Nicole’s experience, vision and skill as an investor in public and private markets is critical for CalPERS,” Frost said in a statement. “We were dete...