Connecticut Pension Funds Generated Returns of 11.5% in Fiscal Year 2024

Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell has released investment performance data for the state’s pension funds and trusts that shows a return of 11.5% for the most recent fiscal year, which ended on June 30.

“Strong investment performance is a critical component to Connecticut’s overall financial success,” said Treasurer Russell. “Generating returns above our assumed rates of return, like we have the past two years, guards against the impact of future down markets and accelerates the speed at which we can pay down legacy pension debt inherited by the current generation of Connecticut taxpayers. It reduces the required State contributions that must be budgeted for each year, saving taxpayers money immediately and in the future.”

“As importantly,” Russell added, “the retired teachers and state workers that earned a dignified and secure retirement through decades of vital public service can see the benefit of the work being done on their behalf in my office and across state government.”

The data was presented during a meeting of the Investment Advisory Council (IAC), which shares responsibility for Connecticut’s investment strategy and performance. The funds have outpaced the assumed rate of return of 6.9% in each of the last two fiscal years. Last September, Fiscal Year 2023 data showed returns of 8.5%.

The funds benefited from $1.9 billion in excess contributions made as part of the state’s fiscal guardrails. Total assets within the fund increased $6.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2024, according to officials. 

“I’m pleased to see continued improvement in Connecticut’s pension fund performance, and I thank Treasurer Russell and the Investment Advisory Council for their work to help get us to this point,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “That progress, coupled with the smart fiscal decisions we’ve made with the legislature to address our long-underfunded pension system, is saving Connecticut taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually and is enabling us to make significant investments in programs that impact working families like expanding access to childcare, building more housing, and fixing our aging roads, bridges, and highways.”

In recent years, reforms have been put in place by the Office of the Treasurer and the IAC to index funds in low-fee, passive arrangements where possible and scale up investments in other areas with high-performing external managers. Other efforts, including bipartisan legislation passed in 2023, have given the Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer more tools to attract, develop, and retain investment talent within the agency, Treasury officials noted.

The most significant driver of investment performance, they point out, is a new strategic asset allocation strategy that was adopted in 2022. Now in the middle of its 5-year implementation plan, the pension funds are already benefitting from the structured rebalancing of the portfolio, they indicated, adding that asset allocation is responsible for approximately 90% of a fund’s performance in any given year.

“A lot of work has been done in recent years to strategically balance assets within the pension funds, mitigate risk, and build a best-in-class investment team,” said Treasurer Russell. “We’re seeing the benefit of those efforts manifest with strong returns over the last two years. More importantly, we are well positioned to build on this momentum for sustained success going forward. Our goal is for Connecticut to be among the best performing pensions funds in the nation. Our pensioners, and our residents, deserve nothing less.”

The State Treasurer in Connecticut serves as principal fiduciary for six state pension and twelve state trust funds. Additionally, the Office enhances the state’s fiscal stability through programs promoting financial literacy and college savings. In addition, Treasurer Russell’s office points out, it leverages business partnerships to support the advancement of Connecticut’s social and policy priorities, including combating gun violence and protecting the environment.