Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Plan. Annual Report 2011

Transcription

1 Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Plan Annual Report 2011

2 Annual Report 2011 Table of Contents Message from the Chair of Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc....1 Plan Governance...2 Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc. - Board of Directors Accomplishments at a Glance...3 Net Assets Available for Benefits...3 Index Returns...3 Investment Performance...3 Top 20 Public Equity Holdings...4 Asset Mix...4 Investment Management...5 Economic and Capital Market Briefing...5 Investment Management Discussion...6 Asset Mix...6 Investment Performance...7 Investment Accomplishments...7 Investment Themes for Plan Valuation...9 Funded Ratio...9 Unfunded Liability...9 Member Profile...10 Change in Active Teacher and Pensioner Membership...10 Member and Pensioner Administration...11 Employee and Employer Contributions...11 Purchases and Reciprocal Transfers In...11 Refunds and Reciprocal Transfers Out...12 Pensions in Pay...12 Member Services...13 Contact from Members...13 Pension Seminars - One-to-One Client Counselling...13 Online Pension Benefit Calculators...13 Technology Project...13 National Reciprocal Transfer Agreement...13 Page i Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Plan

3 Annual Report 2011 Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc. Purdy s Landing, Suite 400, 1949 Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3N3 PO Box 371, Halifax, NS B3J 2P8 April 27, 2012 To: Members and beneficiaries of the Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Plan This annual report details the financial performance and the health of your pension plan at December 31, For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Plan generated a 0.83 per cent return on investments, before investment management fees. The Plan was approximately 71 per cent funded, with assets of $4.025 billion and liabilities of $5.679 billion. Our results for 2011 were disappointing as the unstable market conditions that have persisted since the financial crisis of 2008 have continued to affect the Plan s investment returns. Results for the first half of the year continued the positive recovery that we experienced in 2009 and 2010, but global uncertainty following issues such as the tsunami in Japan, political issues in the US surrounding the government debt ceiling and the credit crisis in Europe, significantly reduced our returns on the investment portfolio over the remainder of the year. This challenging investment environment coupled with the current historically low interest rates have created difficulty for most pension plans in North America. The Trustee has spent a tremendous amount of time analysing a variety of data to best manage the situation and, where appropriate, changes to the investment portfolio mix have been made. We continue to work with the Plan Sponsors to develop sustainable forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen the funded status of the Plan, just as many other public plans across Canada are doing. The Trustee remains diligent and focused on the long term financial health of the plan for the benefit of members and beneficiaries. Yours sincerely, Original signed by John B. Carter, FCA Chair Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 1

4 PLAN GOVERNANCE Plan Governance The Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc. is the Trustee of the Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Plan and the Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Fund. The Trustee was established in 2006 under a joint trust agreement between the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and the Minister of Finance of the Province of Nova Scotia. The Trustee is responsible for the operation and administration of the pension plan and investment management of the pension fund. There are nine directors on the trustee board. Four directors are appointed by the Nova Scotia Teachers Union. Four directors are appointed by the Minister of Finance of the Province of Nova Scotia. The chair of the board is mutually appointed by the Teachers Union and the Minister of Finance. On December 31, 2011 Brad Rowe and Elizabeth Cody retired as Directors. We are very grateful to them for their service. Dr. Alan Lowe and Ron Smith joined the Trustee Board effective January 1, Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc. - Board of Directors Chair John B. Carter, FCA Retired Managing Partner, Ernst and Young LLP Nova Scotia Teachers Union Representatives William Redden, BA, BEd, MEd(Adm), RPA Executive Director, Nova Scotia Teachers Union John C. Jordan, BA, BEd, MEd Retired Teacher Russell Comeau, BA, BEd Teacher, Tri-County Regional School Board Ronald E. Smith, FCA, ICD.D Retired Executive 2011 Accomplishments Provincial Representatives Byron Rafuse, CMA Controller & Associate Deputy Minister Nova Scotia Department of Finance Peter Urbanc, MBA Executive Director, Liability Management & Treasury Services Nova Scotia Department of Finance Frank M. Dunn, BSc, MBA, CMA, CIA Associate Deputy Minister Nova Scotia Department of Education Dr. Alan Lowe Senior Executive Director, Public Schools Branch Nova Scotia Department of Education There were eight meetings of the full Board of Trustees during Each meeting had a formal agenda supported by comprehensive materials. In addition, three sub-committees were formed in 2011 and met regularly. These include the Investment Sub-Committee chaired by John C. Jordan; the Audit and Actuarial Sub-Committee chaired by Byron Rafuse; and the Governance and Member Services Sub-Committee chaired by Bill Redden. These new sub-committees serve to further strengthen the Trustee s oversight and decision-making processes. Implementation of the policy asset mix approved by the Trustee in 2010 is progressing well. This complex initiative has resulted in the funding of several new asset classes throughout The policy asset mix increases the diversification of investment assets and reduces exposure to risk. More details can be found on page six. Throughout 2011, the Trustee continued to refine and enhance policies and processes to improve the operation of the Plan. Major initiatives included the redesign of disability pension adjudication aligned with updated Plan regulations. As well, a new custodial relationship was implemented during the year. Working closely with the Plan Sponsors, the Trustee has continued to analyze potential actions to improve the long term health of the Plan. The Trustee is committed to ensuring the Plan is able to meet its long term pension obligations to members, retirees and beneficiaries. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 2

5 2011 AT A GLANCE 2011 at a Glance Net Assets Available for Benefits at December 31, 2011 $ Billions at December Index Returns Year 2011 (%) (C$) 1 Year Dec 31, 2011 Annualized 4 Year Dec 31, Year Dec 31, 2011 S&P/TSX Equity -9.56% -1.52% 6.99% S&P/TSX % -1.53% 6.81% S&P/TSX Equity Completion % -0.66% 7.82% DEX Universe 9.67% 7.05% 6.49% DEX Canadian T-Bill 30 Day 0.90% 1.06% 2.24% S&P % -0.87% -1.60% S&P Mid Cap % 2.98% 2.33% Russell 2000 TR -1.80% 1.37% 0.98% MSCI EAFE -9.97% -7.61% 0.06% Investment Performance 1 Year Dec 31, Year Dec 31, 2011 Annualized 10 Year Dec 31, Year Dec 31, 2011 Nova Scotia Teachers Pension Fund Return % 1.90% 5.30% 6.65% Benchmark Return 0.41% 1.72% 5.00% 5.90% 1 All Fund returns are reported gross of investment management fees. The annualized 10 and 15 year Fund returns were calculated based on an estimated management fee. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 3

6 2011 AT A GLANCE Top 20 Public Equity Holdings at December 31, 2011 Stock Value Per cent of Portfolio Toronto-Dominion Bank $39,429, % Royal Bank of Canada $34,658, % Canadian Natural Resources $27,362, % Bank of Nova Scotia $25,955, % Suncor Energy Inc. $21,289, % Imperial Oil Ltd. $15,148, % Rogers Communications Inc. $14,493, % Thomson Reuters Corp. $13,408, % Transcanada Corp. $13,027, % Enbridge Inc. $12,578, % Google Inc. $11,938, % Canadian National Railway Co. $11,632, % Canadian Tire Corp. $11,381, % Cenovus Energy Inc. $11,018, % SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. $11,015, % Loblaw Companies Ltd. $10,916, % Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce $10,501, % Nexen Inc. $10,457, % Exxon Mobil Corp. $10,117, % Nestle $10,091, % Asset Mix 5.12% 3.19% 17.72% Per cent of Fund Dec. 31 Dec % Canadian Equity 17.72% 20.50% US Equity 17.71% 19.29% 17.71% International Equity Fixed Income 15.89% 24.26% 19.68% 26.63% Inflation Linked 16.11% 11.94% 24.26% Money Market 5.12% 1.96% 15.89% Alternatives 3.19% 0.00% Total Plan Assets % % Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 4

7 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Investment Management Economic and Capital Market Briefing The global economy continued the path to recovery in 2011, but at a slower pace. World economic output grew 3.8 per cent in 2011, following the 5.2 per cent increase posted in In equity markets, most global investors experienced negative returns and high volatility in response to the discouraging news on the European sovereign debt crisis. The bright spots were in fixed income, where the European sovereign debt crisis and credit downgrades boosted returns on government securities, inflationprotected securities, and municipal bonds. The Canadian economy experienced a slow recovery in 2011, with 2.3 per cent GDP growth. Despite a strong fourth quarter, the S&P/TSX Equity Index fell 9.6 per cent. The International Monetary Fund s recent forecast for Canadian economic growth is 1.7 per cent in 2012, and 2.0 per cent in The global economic and financial environment remains a key challenge for the Canadian economy. The U.S. recovery has also been disappointing, with growth averaging just 2.5 per cent over the last two years. Nevertheless, the economy showed resilience in the last few months of After a miserable first half of the year, the economy grew by 2.0 per cent in the third quarter and is likely to accelerate to 3.2 per cent growth in the final quarter of the year. The U.S. stock market was the only major equity market to deliver positive performance in The S&P 500 Index returned 2.1 per cent for the year. The Eurozone recession and ongoing financial disturbance will be the major headwinds to the U.S. economy. The International Monetary Fund forecasts U.S. economic growth at 1.8 per cent in 2012, and 2.2 per cent in In Europe, the sovereign debt crisis intensified as European policymakers struggled to prevent a Greek debt default and improve fiscal pressures in Italy and France. High borrowing costs in the most indebted European countries, combined with reduced government spending and revenues, raised more fears that the Eurozone entered, or will soon enter, a recession. For 2011, Eurozone GDP only grew 1.6 per cent. The International Monetary Fund s forecast for Eurozone economic growth is negative 0.1 per cent in 2012, and 1.2 per cent in Although some emerging economies showed resilience in 2011, investors were still worried that a recession in Europe would impact its emerging trading partners. This was true, particularly in China, where high inflation and a manufacturing slowdown is threatening the fast-growing economy. Emerging markets are expected to grow in 2012 by at least 5 per cent, still more than 4 times as fast as developed markets. Moving forward, the major threats to the global economy include increasing commodity prices and supply disruptions, a stalled recovery in the advanced economies and the ongoing concerns about the European sovereign debt crisis. The International Monetary Fund cut its forecast for global economic growth in 2012, citing global growth prospects dimmed and risks sharply escalated during the fourth quarter of 2011, as the euro-area crisis entered a perilous new phase. It expects global output to grow by 3.3 per cent in 2012, down from 3.8 per cent in Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 5

8 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Investment Management Discussion The primary goal of the Fund is to invest pension assets in a manner that maximizes investment returns, within an acceptable level of risk, which allows the Fund to meet the long-term funding requirements of the Plan. The investment of the pension assets are guided by the Fund s Statement of Investment Policies & Goals (the SIP&G ) as written by the Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc. The SIP&G sets out the parameters within which the investments may be made. These parameters include permissible investments and the policy asset mix of the three main asset classes - equities, fixed income and inflation-linked. The Investment Beliefs, also found within the SIP&G, state the general principles upon which the investments are made. Asset Mix In the spring of 2010, an Asset Allocation study was undertaken by the Trustee. The goal of the study was to review the risk/return profile of the Fund and, if required, to make amendments to the long term policy asset mix. The study paid special attention to the significant allocation to equity and the volatility and risk that it introduced to Fund assets. In the fall of 2010, with the conclusion of the study, the Trustee approved a new asset mix and, for 2011, set the goal to transition to the new targeted asset mix. The targeted asset mix as approved by the Trustee is shown below: 5% 2% 46% Equities Fixed Income Inflation Linked 46% 24% 23% 23% Alternatives Cash 5% 2% 24% The new asset mix lowered the allocation to the traditional asset classes of equity and fixed income while increasing assets in the inflation linked and alternative portfolios. The objective for the introduction of the new asset classes was to improve the diversification of the Fund and to decrease investment return volatility without impairing the long term expected investment returns. By the end of 2011 a major portion of the transition had been completed. Throughout the year approximately $112 million was invested in real estate and infrastructure, and approximately $160 million was invested in alternative assets. The real return bond portfolio was augmented in 2011 as was the exposure to emerging markets. The above strategies were funded through the liquidation of assets in the more traditional asset classes of equities and fixed income. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 6

9 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Investment Performance In 2011, the Fund achieved an annual return of 0.83 per cent, gross of investment management fees. It proved to be a difficult year for global financial markets. The European debt crisis, concerns over US debt limits and downgrades of major economies by rating agencies were just some of the issues that brought about the return of highly volatile financial markets. Across the asset classes, volatility returned to levels that were similar to those experienced during the financial crisis of 2008/09. The performance of the various financial markets were mixed as US equity showed a small positive return while the rest of the global equity markets, including Canada and emerging markets, posted negative returns. Unlike equities, bond markets profited from the macro-economic distress as investors flocked to the safety of US Treasuries and other high quality sovereign bonds. The extreme volatility of the global financial markets created a difficult environment for most active investment strategies. Global events had a negative impact on the execution of a number of active investment mandates within the Fund. Particularly, currency managers had a difficult time executing strategies and active investment managers in equities and fixed income were unable to outperform their respective benchmarks. Investment Accomplishments To lay the foundation for the funding of the new asset mix a number of steps were taken throughout the year. This included teaming up with strategic partners that could facilitate the introduction of the new asset classes from an investment and operational perspective. Early in the year, the Trustee hired a specialized advisor to lead the implementation of the hedge fund portfolio. The majority of the implementation took place in the second half of the year with final funding taking place in the first quarter of The advisor will continue to assist with the ongoing monitoring of the portfolio and the due diligence of hedge fund managers. The Trustee also approved the hiring of several new investment managers in 2011 to aid in the transition to the new asset mix. For the new allocation to commodities within the inflation linked asset class, a commodity manager was approved with funding taking place in the first quarter of A new investment manager in the fixed income portfolio and a change to the mandate of an existing manager provided additional diversification in this area. An additional investment manager added to the emerging market equity portfolio was approved and funded to coincide with the targeted increase in this area. The infrastructure and real estate portfolios continued to evolve throughout Within the real estate portfolio, the Fund gained additional exposures in Canadian and European real estate while infrastructure exposure continued to increase as commitments to managers were drawn down throughout the year. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 7

10 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Investment Themes for 2012 In 2012, the completion of the transition to the new asset mix will continue to be a major focus for the Trustee. The funding of several asset classes will be completed in the first quarter of the year while other asset classes with a longer timeframe to completion, such as real estate and infrastructure, will continue to evolve throughout the year. In 2012, the long term strategies to achieve the targeted allocation and targeted returns within the real estate and infrastructure portfolio will be examined. The Trustee will review these investment strategies throughout the year as well as the strategic partners that enable the Fund to make high quality investments within these portfolios. Work will also continue in the fixed income portfolio to address concerns of rising interest rates and examine ways to enhance returns and protect assets. Another focus of the Trustee will be risk management within the investment portfolio. A major project will be undertaken over the course of the year to lay the ground work for a rigorous risk management process and to enhance the existing framework. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 8

11 PLAN VALUATION Plan Valuation Funded Ratio % at December 31 The funded ratio of the Plan on December 31, 2011 was 70.9%, calculated on a going concern basis. The funded ratio is equal to the Pension Plan s assets divided by its liabilities, expressed as a percentage. A funded ratio of 100% or more means that the Plan is fully funded, i.e. there are sufficient assets to cover liabilities, based on current market values and actuarial assumptions. In instances when the Plan s liabilities are greater than its assets, the Plan then has an unfunded liability or is under funded Year At its current funded ratio, the Plan may not provide indexing to pensioners that retired on or after August 1, Unfunded Liability At December 31, 2011, the Plan had an unfunded liability of $1.655 billion. The Plan s unfunded liability increased by $511 million over the previous year Year There are two primary factors which caused the increase in the Plan s under-funding. At the beginning of 2011, the assumed rate of return was set at 6.85%. The actual investment return for 2011 was 0.83% gross of investment management fees (0.37% net of fees). The diminished investment returns account for approximately half of the increase in the unfunded liability , , ,512.3 $ Millions at December 31-1,654.7 With the completion of the Plan s actuarial valuation report as of December 31, 2011, the assumed rate of return was reduced to 6.40% from 6.85%. This reduction in the assumed rate of return accounts for a $260 million increase in total liabilities and the unfunded liability. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 9

12 Year MEMBER PROFILE Member Profile The Teachers Pension Plan has a mature demographic. There are approximately 1.13 active members for every pensioner/survivor. As of December 31, 2011 the total membership of the Teachers Pension Plan was 31,027. This includes: Active Teachers 43.6% 13,525 Pensioners and Survivors 38.7% 12,014 Inactive Teachers* 17.7% 5,488 Active Teachers 13, % Pensioners and Survivors 12, % *An inactive teacher is one who has made contributions to the Plan but is not currently teaching or drawing a pension. Inactive Teachers* 5, % Change in Active Teacher and Pensioner Membership The population of pensioners and survivors is increasing, while active membership remains generally static at December ,791 12,014 13,525 11,653 11,385 11,089 13,815 13,817 13,742 13,541 10, , Active teachers are teachers who are actively teaching and contributing to the Plan. Pensioners are members who have retired from teaching and are drawing a pension. The category also includes survivors of deceased pensioners or members. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 10

13 MEMBER AND PENSIONER ADMINISTRATION Member and Pensioner Administration Employee and Employer Contributions Pension benefits are partially funded by contributions to the Plan. Active teachers contributions to the Plan are shown in the bar graph, totaled along with their employer s matching contributions $ Millions for Years Ended December Year Purchases and Reciprocal Transfers In Purchases and Reciprocal Transfers In for 2011 totaled $3.3 million compared to $3.9 million in $ Millions for Years Ended December Year Purchases A purchase is pensionable service that is purchased by a member for qualifying gaps in his or her employment history, such as maternity leave or pre-approved leave of absence. Reciprocal Transfers In A reciprocal transfer is pensionable service that is credited to the Plan for a member, through a transfer of his or her pension funds from a former employer, to their new employer s Plan. Such transfers are permitted between jurisdictions when both parties, typically provinces, participate in the National Reciprocal Transfer Agreement. This may also include a transfer from the Public Service Superannuation Plan. Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 11

14 MEMBER AND PENSIONER ADMINISTRATION Refunds and Reciprocal Transfers Out Refunds and Reciprocal Transfers Out for 2011 totaled $3.5 million compared to $2.5 million in $ Millions for Years Ended December Year Refunds When an active, contributing teacher stops teaching, he or she may be able to receive a refund of pension contributions from the Plan or may opt to transfer his or her funds out of the Plan, perhaps to a new employer s plan in another jurisdiction. The option chosen depends on how long he or she had been employed and contributing to the Plan. Reciprocal Transfer Out Reciprocal transfers from the Plan occur when a member transfers his or her pension funds from the Plan to another jurisdiction where they will now be employed as a teacher, often from one province to another. Such transfers are permitted between jurisdictions when both parties participate in the National Reciprocal Transfer Agreement or the other plan is the Public Service Superannuation Plan. Pensions in Pay Pension payments made in 2011 totaled $348.6 million compared to $338.5 million in This increase is due primarily to the increase in the number of pensioners year over year $ Millions for Years Ended December Year Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 12

15 MEMBER SERVICES Member Services The Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc. has appointed the Nova Scotia Pension Agency to administer the Teachers Pension Plan. The Trustee closely monitors the performance of the Agency to ensure that it provides high quality services to plan members and beneficiaries. The Agency reports on Plan activities on a minimum of a quarterly basis. Contact from Members Members and beneficiaries continue to tell us that they predominantly prefer to talk with us, mostly over the phone and occasionally in person. In 2011, we answered over 15,000 phone calls and more than 94% of them were answered within 20 seconds or less. Pension Seminars - One-to-One Client Counselling Throughout the school year, retirement seminars are hosted by the Nova Scotia Teachers Union across the province. The seminars are an excellent opportunity to learn about all aspects of retirement benefits, including pension, health benefits, and service awards. You may also receive custom pension estimate information, specific to your career, if you have pre-registered for a seminar. Online Pension Benefit Calculators Online pension benefit calculators are available on our website and we encourage you to check them out at: These calculators are particularly accurate if you ve not experienced any preapproved leaves of absences or breaks in service throughout your career. If you are more than two years away from retirement, please give these calculators a try, as they are as accurate as what we can provide you with from our office. Once you are within two years of retirement, please contact our office in order that we can verify retirement details with you. Technology Project Under the guidance and direction of the Trustee, the Agency has embarked on a multi-phase technology project to further enhance our services for you. We are in the midst of developing a new website where you will be able to see your own pension information through a secure log-in function. In 2011, we held focus groups, and met with members and employer representatives, to obtain specific feedback regarding the types of features they would like to see in a new web site. Later in 2012, we will begin to slowly roll out this new web facility. National Reciprocal Transfer Agreement Have you ever taught in another province? The Teachers Pension Plan is part of a number of transfer agreements with other Canadian pension plans. The object of these agreements is to permit a pension plan member to transfer their pensionable service from one plan to another when they change employment. To see which agreements your Plan is a party to, go to: Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 13

16 Teachers Pension Plan Trustee Inc. Street address 4th Floor, Purdy s Landing 1949 Upper Water Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3N3 Mail address PO Box 371 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2P8 Phone (Halifax area) (Toll free in NS) Fax PensionsInfo@gov.ns.ca Web site