Up for a quick math problem?
As of March 31, 2023, your pension trust fund had a market value of $185.4 billion (latest publicly available values). Three months earlier (New Year's Day, January 1, 2023), it was worth $179.7 billion. That's according to TRS' independent investment consultant, Aon.
We'll save you getting out your calculator. The simple difference in those values is $5.7 billion. That represents investment earnings over just three months. We agree, it's a pretty heady number. And consider that $185 billion figure represents your fund's market value AFTER more than a billion dollars was subtracted to pay our retirees' monthly annuities or any benefits due to their beneficiaries.
Given that regular cash outflow, this math problem shows just how crucial it is to maximize your pension fund's investment earnings every three-month period, or quarter. Fortunately, TRS has a team of investment professionals working on your behalf who are considered among the best in the business!
Summing up, each year TRS' investment earnings make up a full 62.4% of your retirement fund's revenues (the remainder comes from the contributions you make along with those from the state and your employer). It's important to keep an eye on the longer term of course, since your fund's value tends to fluctuate somewhat given various economic scenarios. Just know we'll keep working hard to keep the fund growing, so you can retire with peace of mind that there'll be a check coming every month.