8 Comments
User's avatar
csofand's avatar

Thank you David. I still have much to learn about how these things are handled, but I do believe that those two areas are isolated, at least officially, on the ledger. The investment performance does not have a direct tie to employee benefits or staffing issues, I think.

But I do appreciate your thinking this through with me.

currer's avatar

You have uncovered some really telling information here. All very sad though, these are real people.

csofand's avatar

Yes, truly disheartening. I am kind of dreading looking at the rest of that life insurance data in detail.

currer's avatar

https://x.com/newstart_2024/status/1968292764426092740

This interview with Larry Fink reveals how embedded Blackrock is in retirement issues and influencing longterm government policy.

Transcriber B's avatar

I would say the very same.

David Shohl's avatar

Another 30% gain in a pension portfolio in 2021! As I recall, these profits were partly driven by government infusions into the market to offset losses from lockdowns and restricted economic activity. But some of the windfall must be based on speculation that pension membership would be decreasing soon, which would mean long-term fewer payouts (i.e., gains for the fund).

I wonder if the very large “taketh” loss the following year reflects the higher number of payouts which the increased member mortality necessitated -- a short-term loss that would be made up over time as sufficient extra deaths (earlier than expected) begin to reduce future payouts?

currer's avatar

Thanks for this helpful comment. So the financial complexities probably mean that interpretation will need to be made with care. However the movement of funds over these dates is telling and I am glad csofand is recording and investigating this. I expect with time the picture will become clearer. He/she is doing great work, work that most of us cannot do.

Jayna Dinnyes's avatar

AH! So many more deaths is so little time! 😥 Not good working for the U.S. Government! 😲

Even DEADLY! ☹