Trustee Education

Public pension fund trustees bear a heavy fiduciary burden. On a cumulative basis, California's Constitution holds our members' 350 Trustees accountable for the stewardship of more than $450 Billion in retirement fund assets. For over twenty years, trustees of CALAPRS member retirement systems have participated in CALAPRS training programs presented exclusively for California public retirement system board members.

CALAPRS Principles of Pension Governance programs help public pension trustees ask and answer the tough questions.

This program is designed for new trustees, or those seeking a refresher, and focuses on the practical aspects of our Trustees' duties. The 3.5 day intensive program begins with a learner assessment which is reviewed at the end of the course, then continues with a combination of team teaching, case studies, and mock board problem solving. All course materials are based on actual California public pension fund law, policies, practices, and problems.

Topics addressed include:

• Introductions and Course Overview
• Fiduciary Duty and Sound Decision Making
• Required Ethics Training for Public Fund Trustees
• Benefits Provided and the Board’s Role
• Key Issues in Disability Retirement
• Disability Case Study
• Addressing Pension Liabilities
• Investment Policy Basics
• Overseeing the Investment Program
• How a Board Should Function
• Stakeholder Case Study