Politicians, fraud and investment professionals at New York State’s $124b fund

Thomas DiNapoli
Most public sector pension funds are subject to some sort of political interference, notwithstanding the best efforts of fund trustees and staff. Few, however, can rival the experience of America’s third-largest fund, the New York State Common Retirement Fund.

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Navy fund outsourcing a first for Towers Watson in CIO role

Roger Urwin
The $4.75 billion (£3 billion) UK Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund has upgraded its relationship with consultant Towers Watson, having appointed the firm as its “delegated chief investment officer”, which is the first such arrangement for the consultant.

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Currency: a zero-sum game fiduciaries are forced to play

The biggest decision facing pension fund investment committees this year could well be their position on currencies, particularly the greenback and the euro. The currency decision is never an easy one to make and at the moment it seems particularly difficult as politics is overlaid onto market fundamentals.

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