CalSTRS records record return on investments, despite pandemic

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) has reported a 27.2 percent net return on investments for the 2020–2021 fiscal year, bringing the fund’s total value to $308.6 billion.

This record-high return significantly surpassed the investment assumption of 7 percent, according to CalSTRS, doubling the fund’s value from a decade ago.

“We’ve built our portfolio for long-term performance, but this year’s results were nothing short of spectacular,” said Christopher Ailman, CIO of CalSTRS. “These are record-breaking numbers — the highest returns we’ve seen since the late 1980s. Positive fund performances like this will help ensure we have a strong and reliable funding source for our educators and their beneficiaries for years to come.”

The fund’s growth was driven by strong performance across all markets, despite the global pandemic. The real estate asset class saw a 7.4 percent return, net of fees, for fiscal year 2020–2021