Finance and Management Committee
March 25, 2025
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Jestin D. Johnson FROM: Erin Roseman
City Administrator Finance Director
SUBJECT: Oakland PFRS’s Investment Portfolio
as of December 31, 2024
DATE: February 21, 2025
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Receive An Informational Report On The Oakland Police And Fire Retirement System’s (“PFRS”, Or “System”) Investment Portfolio As Of December 31, 2024.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The attached Quarterly Investment Performance report (Attachment A), provided by the Oakland Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) Investment Consultant, Meketa Investment Group (MIG), summarizes the performance of the PFRS investment portfolio for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
During the most recent quarter, the PFRS Total Portfolio generated an absolute return of -1.7 percent, gross of fees, underperforming its policy benchmark by -0.2 percent. The portfolio underperformed its benchmark over the latest one-year period and outperformed its benchmark over the three-year period, and underperformed over the five-year period. This is discussed in more detail in the “Investment Performance” section of this report.
Quarter 1 Year 3 Year 5 Year
Total Portfolio (a) -1.7 9.6 4.1 6.0
Policy Benchmark -1.5 10.9 3.9 6.5
Excess Return -0.2 -1.3 0.2 -0.5
(a) Investment returns are gross of fees.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The Oakland Police and Fire Retirement System is a closed defined benefit plan established by the City of Oakland’s (the "City”) Charter. PFRS is governed by a board of seven trustees (the “PFRS Board”). PFRS covers the City’s sworn police and fire employees hired prior to July 1, 1976. PFRS was closed to new members on June 30,1976. As of December 31, 2024, PFRS had 613 retired members and no active members.
Jestin Johnson (Mar 7, 2025 10:22 PST)
Mar 7, 2025
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Oakland PFRS’s Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2024 Date: February 21, 2025 Page 2
Finance and Management Committee
March 25, 2025
The System’s investment portfolio is governed by the investment policy set by the PFRS Board.
The PFRS Board sets an investment policy that authorizes investments in a variety of domestic and international equity and fixed income securities. Eleven external investment managers currently manage the System’s portfolio. Most of the portfolio is held in custody at Northern Trust. In accordance with the City Charter, the PFRS Board makes investment decisions according to the prudent person standard as defined by applicable court decisions and as required by the California Constitution.
In March 1997, the City issued Taxable Pension Obligation Bonds, Series 1997 (“1997 POBs”) and, as a result, deposited $417 million into the System to pay the City’s contributions through June 2011. As a result of the funding agreement entered at the time the 1997 POBs were issued, City payments to PFRS were suspended from February 25, 1997, to June 30, 2011. The City of Oakland resumed contributing to PFRS effective July 1, 2011, and contributed $45.5 million for the fiscal year (FY) ended June 30, 2012.
In July 2012, the City issued $212.5 million of Taxable Pension Obligation Bonds, Series 2012 (“2012 POBs”). The City subsequently deposited $210 million into the System and entered a funding agreement with the PFRS Board. Thus, no additional contributions were required until July 1, 2017.
As of the most recent actuary study dated July 1, 2024, the System’s Unfunded Actuarial Liability is approximately $58.4 million, and the System had a Funded Ratio of 88.3 percent on an Actuarial Value of Assets (AVA) basis. The City of Oakland is currently making monthly payments to the Plan for the FY 2024/2025 required contribution of $34.85 million.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
The attached report, provided by the PFRS Investment Consultant and Actuary, summarizes the performance of the PFRS’ investment portfolio. This report is being provided in accordance with the City of Oakland Charter, to provide an update to the City Council on the status of the Oakland Police and Fire Retirement System.
The presentation of this report supports the Citywide priority of responsive, trustworthy government. This report communicates the PFRS's financial positions and obligations to the public, policymakers, retirees, and stakeholders. At the same time, the annual audits of the PFRS finances assures the accuracy of the information contained therein.
PFRS’ Membership
The City Charter establishes plan membership, contribution, and benefit provisions. The System serves the City’s sworn employees hired prior to July 1, 1976, who have not transferred to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”). As of December 31, 2024, the System’s membership was 613, as shown in Table 1 below.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Oakland PFRS’s Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2024 Date: February 21, 2025 Page 3
Finance and Management Committee
March 25, 2025
Table 1
PFRS Membership
as of December 31, 2024
Membership POLICE FIRE TOTAL
Retiree 258 140 398
Beneficiary 124 91 215
Total Membership 382 231 613
PFRS Investment Portfolio
As of December 31, 2024, the PFRS’ portfolio had an aggregate value of $462.9 million, as shown in Table 2.
Table 2
PFRS Investment Portfolio
as of December 31, 2024
Investment Fair Value
Domestic Equities $ 211,086,408
Fixed Income 109,911,826
Covered Calls 20,191,744
International Equities 60,379,355
Crisis Risk Offset 37,541,773
Credit 7,433,085
Cash 16,425,606
Total Portfolio $ 462,969,797
As of December 31, 2024, the PFRS portfolio had an aggregate value of $462.9 million. This represents a $8.0 million decrease in investment value after $4.3 million in outflows for the benefit payments over the quarter. During the previous one-year period, the PFRS Total Portfolio increased in value by $41.5 million after drawdowns of $14.5 million for benefit payments, as shown in Table 3 below. The investment drawdowns for benefit payments are less the City of Oakland Contributions to the PFRS Plan of $8.7 million for the Quarter and $34.8 million for the fiscal year.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Oakland PFRS’s Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2024 Date: February 21, 2025 Page 4
Finance and Management Committee
March 25, 2025
Table 3
Change in PFRS Portfolio Valuation
as of December 31, 2024
Total Plan Value Quarter 1 Year
Beginning Market Value $ 475,224,985 $ 435,955,520
Investment Drawdowns for Benefit Payments -4,291,089 -14,514,580 Gain/(Loss) on Investment -7,964,099 41,528,857
Ending Market Value $ 462,969,797 $ 462,969,797
PFRS Investment Performance
During the most recent quarter ending December 31, 2024, the PFRS Total Portfolio generated an absolute return of -1.7 percent, gross of fees, outperforming its policy benchmark by -0.2 percent. The portfolio underperformed its benchmark over the latest one-year period and, outperformed its benchmark over the three-year period, and underperformed over the five-year period.
Over the most recent quarter ending December 31, 2024, the Plan’s Domestic Equity allocation underperformed its benchmark by -2.3 percent. The Plan’s International Equity allocation outperformed its benchmark by 1.0 percent. The Plan’s Fixed Income underperformed its benchmark by -0.4 percent. The Plan’s Credit allocation outperformed its benchmark by 0.8 percent. The Plan’s Crisis Risk Offset allocation underperformed its benchmark by -1.7 percent, while the Covered Calls allocation underperformed its benchmark by -2.7 percent. Table 4 below shows PFRS’s recent investment performance in comparison to its corresponding benchmarks.
Table 4
PFRS Asset Class Performance
as of December 31, 2024
Investment Type Quarter 1 Year 3 Year 5 Year
PFRS Total Fund
-1.7
9.6 2.2
6.0 PFRS Policy Benchmark -1.5 10.9 3.2 6.5
Excess Returns -0.2 -1.3 -1.0 -0.5
PFRS Domestic Equity 0.4 17.6 5.6 11.7
Benchmark: Russell 3000 2.6 23.8 8.0 13.9
Excess Returns -2.3 -6.2 -2.4 -2.1
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Oakland PFRS’s Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2024 Date: February 21, 2025 Page 5
Finance and Management Committee
March 25, 2025
Table 4
PFRS Asset Class Performance
as of December 31, 2024, cont’d
Investment Type Quarter 1 Year 3 Year 5 Year
PFRS International Equity
-6.6
8.1 3.1
5.6 Benchmark: MSCI ACWI Ex US (Net) -7.6 5.5 0.8 4.1
Excess Returns 1.0 2.6 2.3 1.5
PFRS Fixed Income
-3.1 1.8 -1.9 0.3
Benchmark: Bloomberg US Universal -2.7 2.0 -2.0 0.1
Excess Returns -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 0.2
PFRS Credit
0.9 8.5 4.3 6.1
Benchmark: Bloomberg US Corp High
Yield
0.2 8.2 2.9 4.2
Excess Returns 0.8 0.3 1.4 1.9
PFRS Crisis Risk Offset
-4.2 -3.4 -5.8 -9.5
Benchmark: Crisis Risk Offset
Benchmark
-2.4 2.0 3.1 0.1
Excess Returns -1.7 -5.4 -8.9 -9.5
PFRS Covered Calls
3.0 18.7 7.7 11.6
Benchmark: CBOE S&P 500 Buy Write 5.8 20.1 6.0 6.9
Excess Returns -2.7 -1.4 1.7 4.8
Note: Investment returns are gross of fees.
Crisis Risk Offset Benchmark is composed of 100% SG Multi Alternative Risk Premia Index through 12/31/2022; 33.34% SG Trend Index, 33.33% SG Multi Alternative Risk Premia Index, and 33.33% Bloomberg US Government Long Term Bond Index thereafter.
FISCAL IMPACT
This is an informational report. There are no budget implications associated with this report.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
This item did not require public outreach other than the required posting on the City’s website.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Oakland PFRS’s Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2024 Date: February 21, 2025 Page 6
Finance and Management Committee
March 25, 2025
COORDINATION
This report was prepared in coordination with the PFRS’ Investment Consultant (Meketa).
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: Whenever possible, the PFRS Board seeks to benefit the local Oakland-based economy. In 2006, the PFRS Board and staff, created the PFRS Local Broker provision. This provision mandates that the PFRS Investment Managers consider using Oakland-based brokers for all trades conducted on behalf of the fund based on best execution. This program aims to regenerate some of the commissions generated by the System into the Oakland economy.
Environmental: The PFRS Board supports a sustainable environment. On June 29, 2016, the PFRS Board passed Resolution No. 6927 prohibiting PFRS investment managers from investing PFRS funds in any publicly traded company which derives at least 50 percent of its revenue from the mining and extracting of thermal coal.
Race & Equity: There are no race and equity opportunities associated with this report.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Oakland PFRS’s Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2024 Date: February 21, 2025 Page 7
Finance and Management Committee
March 25, 2025
Erin Roseman (Mar 4, 2025 17:02 PST)
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That the City Council Receive an Informational Report on the Oakland Police and Fire Retirement System’s (“PFRS”, or “System”) Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2024.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Erin Roseman, Director of Finance, at (510) 238-2026.
Respectfully submitted,
ERIN ROSEMAN
Director of Finance, Finance Department
Reviewed by:
David Jones, Treasury Administrator
Prepared by:
Téir Jenkins, Investment & Operations Manager
Retirement Unit
Attachment (1):
Attachment A: Oakland Police and Fire System Quarterly Investment Performance Report as of December 31, 2024