TRSL earns 15.93% net investment return, assets grow to $18.7 billion

September 6, 2017

The Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) ended Fiscal Year 2016-17 with a net 15.93% market rate of return, taking assets to a new high of $18.7 billion.

“The board is very pleased with our investment performance,” said TRSL Board Chair Jerry. J. Baudin, Ph.D. “The strong market return pushed our assets up $1.9 billion over last year.”

The System’s fiscal year performance puts TRSL in the top 2nd percentile of 87 public pension funds with assets exceeding $1 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, according to Wilshire Trust Universe Comparison Service (TUCS)—the most widely accepted comparison service for public pension fund investment performance.

“Several asset classes, including our investment in commodities and equities, delivered exceptional returns,” said Philip Griffith, TRSL chief investment officer. “We’ve structured a well-diversified investment portfolio with long-term performance in mind.”

Over the long-term, TRSL ranks #1 among similarly sized public pension funds, with a 10.8% return for the seven-year period ended June 30, 2017, according to TUCS.

With more than 180,000 members, TRSL is the largest public retirement system in the state and provides more than $2 billion in annual benefits to retirees and beneficiaries.