Deal Reached on Rhode Island Pension Reform Lawsuit
GoLocalProv News Team
Deal Reached on Rhode Island Pension Reform Lawsuit
Special Master, retired Justice Frank WilliamsAn agreement to settle the state's ongoing pension lawsuit was reached Thursday, according to court appointed Special Master Frank Williams.
Williams announced that most parties had voted to approve the deal in a simple majority vote. Two police and fire unions, which represented 800 workers, did not approve of the settlement. The deal puts the trial, which was scheduled to begin on April 20, on hold.
"This proposed settlement is an important step toward providing certainty for our public employees and our cities and towns, and I believe it is in the best interest of all Rhode Islanders," said Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo. "The proposal keeps our state on a path toward financial stability. While the state has a strong case, the uncertainty of a trial threatened to reverse that progress. I am grateful the parties were able to come to an agreement. I look forward to working with the General Treasurer, the General Assembly, and all stakeholders to pass this legislation and then build on this progress by passing a balanced budget focused on creating jobs."
The Governor's office thought that the move would have a positive impact on the state's bond ratings.
"We anticipate that removing the uncertainty will have a favorable impact," said Raimondo Press Secretary Marie Aberger.
Leaders React
Speaker MattielloUpon word of the settlement, Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said, “I am pleased that the parties reached a settlement that I believe is in the best interests of the state, its citizens, the retirees and employees. I am aware of the general terms of the settlement and I believe they are in the best interests of all, but I haven’t had the opportunity to review the specifics and I reserve the right to do so. The House of Representatives will conduct its due diligence as part of the legislative process and we have established no timetable at this point.”
“I welcome the news that a potential settlement has been reached in the pension suit. I believe a settlement of pending litigation is in the best interest of all Rhode Islanders. It brings closure and finality for retirees and public employees and fiscal certainty to the state," said Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed. "I am grateful to the employees and to Chief Justice Williams for working together on this settlement proposal. I know this has been difficult for everyone involved. In the weeks ahead, the Senate Finance Committee and all the members of the Senate will be reviewing the proposed settlement and taking public testimony on the legislation required to implement the agreement.”
"This proposed settlement lifts a cloud of uncertainty from our state and allows us to finally move forward, so we can focus our energy on new ideas to rebuild our economy. I am grateful to the settling parties in these lawsuits for being willing to come together to forge a common solutiom," said. General Treasurer Seth Magaziner.
Judge Sara Taft-Carter gave the parties involved until May 18 to implement the terms of the settlement.
The General Assembly must also approve the deal.
The settlement agreement covers almost 59,000 state employees and retirees.
See How Much Providence Pays in Pension Fund Fees
Manager: Halpern Denny III
Manager Effective Fee: 0.0%
Asset Class: Private Equity
Assignment: Private Equity
Market Value: $188,318
% of Total Fund: 0.1%
Note: Fund is in liquidation.
Manager: William Blair VII
Manager Effective Fee: 0.0%
Asset Class: Private Equity
Assignment: Private Equity
Market Value: $434,649
% of Total Fund: 0.2%
Note: No further management fee is charged in 2013 other than a $2000 charge anticipated from January 2013 to mid March 2013. Fund is in liquidation.
Manager: SSgA Russell 2000 Growth
Manager Effective Fee: 0.08%
Asset Class: Equity Managers
Assignment: Small Growth (Index)
Market Value: $10,415,062
% of Total Fund: 3.9%
Note: Subject to $10,000 min annual fee.
Manager: SSgA Russell 1000 Growth
Manager Effective Fee: 0.08%
Asset Class: Equity Managers
Assignment: Large Growth (Index)
Market Value: $6,811,160
% of Total Fund: 2.6%
Note: Subject to $10,000 min annual fee
Manager: Vanguard MG ETF
Manager Effective Fee: 0.10%
Asset Class: Equity Managers
Assignment: Mid Growth
Market Value: $7,635,410
% of Total Fund: 2.9%
Manager: Invesco Venture Fund III
Manager Effective Fee: 0.25%
Asset Class: Private Equity
Assignment: Venture Fund of Funds
Market Value: $1,627,627
% of Total Fund: 0.6%
Note: Fee reduced to 0.25% in Q4-2013.
Manager: Columbia (Fleet)
Manager Effective Fee: 0.30%
Asset Class: Cash
Assignment: Large Value
Market Value: $397,606
% of Total Fund: 0.1%
Note: Subject to $15,000 min annual fee.
Manager: Columbia (ValuePath)
Manager Effective Fee: 0.37%
Asset Class: Equity Managers
Assignment: Large Value
Market Value: $20,453,356
% of Total Fund: 7.7%
Note: Columbia (Value Path): 0.40% on first $10m/0.35% on next $15m/0.30% on next $75m/0.25% on remainder.
Manager: Mellon (Prov Group)
Manager Effective Fee: 0.50%
Asset Class: Equity Managers
Assignment: Large Growth
Market Value: $6,641,213
% of Total Fund: 2.5%
Manager: Renaissance Installation Equity Fund
Manager Effective Fee: 0.50%
Asset Class: Hedge Funds
Assignment: Long/Short Equity
Market Value: $34,779,679
% of Total Fund: 13.0%
Note: Additional performance fee of 10%.
Manager: Q-BLK (Quellos) Strategic
Manager Effective Fee: 0.50% Min
Asset Class: Hedge Funds
Assignment: Fund of Funds
Market Value: $11,120,033
% of Total Fund: 4.2%
Note: The quarterly advisory fee paid to the Investment Manager is 0.1250% (0.50% per annum) of the Fund’s net assets on a quarterly basis when the Fund’s quarterly return is equal to or less than the return on the 90-day US Treasury bills plus 1.25%. The advisory fee will ratably increase, depending on the Fund’s performance, up to a maximum of 0.6250% per quarter (2.50% per annum).
Manager: Rogge Global Partners
Manager Effective Fee: 0.65%
Asset Class: Fixed Income
Assignment: Foreign Bonds
Market Value: $14,033,078
% of Total Fund: 5.3%
Manager: Boston Partners MV
Manager Effective Fee: 0.70%
Asset Class: Equity Managers
Assignment: Mid Value
Market Value: $24,556,046
% of Total Fund: 9.2%
Note: Boston Partners-MV: 0.70% on first $25m/0.60% on remainder.
Manager: Brandes
Manager Effective Fee: 0.74%
Asset Class: Equity Managers
Assignment: Foreign Equity
Market Value: $39,824,387
% of Total Fund: 14.9%
Note: Brandes Partners: 0.95% on first $10m/0.80% on next $10m/0.60% on next $30m/0.50% on remainder.
Manager: Boston Partners SV
Manager Effective Fee: 0.99%
Asset Class: Equity Managers
Assignment: Small Value
Market Value: $25,886,408
% of Total Fund: 9.7%
Note: Boston Partners-SV: 1% on first $25m/0.80% on remainder.
Manager: Point Judith II
Manager Effective Fee: 1.50%
Asset Class: Private Equity
Assignment: Private Equity
Market Value: $1,174,791
% of Total Fund: 0.4%
Note: Management fee is charged on committed capital and is equal to 2.5% during the first six years of the fund; 1.5% for the next two years and 1.0% thereafter. Point Judith also charges a performance fee of 20%.
Manager: Graham Global II*
Manager Effective Fee: 3.0%
Asset Class: Hedge Funds
Assignment: Global Macro
Market Value: $5,426,857
% of Total Fund: 2.0%
Note: Additional performance fee of 25%
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