Pension funds

Seventeen states now allow or are considering legislation that allows reserve funds to be invested into cryptocurrency while sixteen are moving towards allowing crypto investments in their pension funds.

The largest issuance the Local Government Commission approved was $387 million of bonds for Mecklenburg County.

Pension analysts are calling for higher contributions even as financial conditions improve.

The passage of a $11 billion plan, which aims to fully fund police and fire pensions in 30 years, comes as the retirement system is pushing its own plan in court.

In this episode, Howard Cure, Director of Municipal Bond Research at Evercore Wealth Management, discusses the improving state of public pensions, the ongoing challenges faced by states like New Jersey and Illinois, and the risks associated with pension obligation bonds.

Public pensions are averaging a significantly improved 80.6% funded ratio, but took on riskier investments to obtain higher returns, which would be problematic in a market correction.

"It would be irresponsible for us to ignore factors that can fundamentally impact the long-term viability of investments," said CalPERS interim Chief Investment Officer Dan Bienvenue of climate risks.

A city council committee received staff recommendations to fully fund the Police and Fire Pension System within 30 years.

Since war broke out on Oct. 7 between Israel and Hamas, over $1.64 billion of Israel bonds have been sold to more than 35 U.S. states, counties, cities and municipalities.

The city is offering $567.6 million of debt in competitive sales Thursday as rating agencies keep a close eye on pension funding progress.