FAQs

    • What is public pension governance?

    • How does pension board governance work?

    • What does board oversight entail?

    • What responsibilities do trustees have?

    • What is included in a pension governance framework?

    • Why are governance policies important?

    Governance Essentials (click here)

    • How can the system engage with stakeholders including members, employers, policymakers, and other parties to ensure transparency and accountability?

    • How can conflicting stakeholder interests be resolved in the best interests of the plan participants and beneficiaries?

    • What are the key fiduciary duties?

    • What is the difference between a prudent person and a prudent expert?

    • What fiduciary standards must boards follow?

    • Is there a forgiveness period?

    • How should boards handle group conflicting interests vs personal conflicts of interest?

    • What is fiduciary risk, and how can it be managed?

    • What constitutes a fiduciary breach?

    Fiduciary Essentials (click here)

    • What are the key roles and responsibilities of a pension board?

    • What duties does an investment committee perform?

    • What is the role of an audit committee?

    • What does a governance committee do?

    • Why is board education and training important?

    • How should trustee orientation be conducted?

    • How can boards effectively perform self-assessments?

    Conducting Business Essentials (click here)

    • What should be included in an investment policy statement?

    • How is funding policy governance structured?

    • How does the board oversee asset allocation?

    • What role does governance play in funding discipline?

    • What are the best practices for strategic planning?

    • What does a governance committee do?

    • Why is board education and training important?

    • How should trustee orientation be conducted?

    • How can boards effectively perform self-assessments?

    Setting Direction Essentials (click here)

    • What decisions need to come to the board for approval?

    • What is prudent due diligence?

    • When should authority be delegated, and how?

    Approving Essentials (click here)

    • Why is transparency important in public pension governance?

    • How can pension risk be effectively overseen?

    • What are key aspects of performance reporting?

    • What does public accountability mean for pension governance?

    • Why are governance audits necessary?

    Oversight Essentials (click here)

    • How does our system assess the effectiveness of its internal controls?

    • What does a compliance audit involve, and how does it verify adherence to regulations within our retirement system?

    • How does our system identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks?

    • Does it use a structured framework?

    • What governance practices help to assure transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making within our system?

    Verify Essentials (click here)

    • What role does ESG play in pension governance?

    • How are AI and automation influencing governance practices?

    • Why is cybersecurity governance critical?

    • How should boards address climate risk?

    • How can boards improve adaptation and resilience?

    Emerging Issues and Trends (click here)