US

US Pension Plans: Investment Considerations for Endowment Professionals

This paper provides a framework for assessing nonpublic defined benefit pension plans by examining the key characteristics of pension liabilities, various risks to consider during the asset allocation process, and risk immunization. Exhibits cover pension fund performance, liquidity constraints, liability duration, and a comparison of asset allocation differences between pensions and endowments.

Thinking About Risk?

In the fall of 2002, a confluence of factors supported greater risk taking. Today, the same factors suggest that investors focus on risk reduction and diversification.