CalPERS Adopts New Policy on Gifts
“This policy reaffirms our ongoing commitment to be a more accountable, transparent and ethical Board,” said Rob Feckner, president of the CalPERS Board of Administration. “It is an important step to ensure the trust of our members, employers and the public.”
The policy is consistent with Senate Bill 439 sponsored last year by California’s State Controller, and member of the pension fund Board, John Chiang. The bill was vetoed by the governor.
“Holding ourselves to higher ethical standards is the strongest way to ensure CalPERS never again is tarnished with allegations of wining, dining and bribing,” said Chiang. “I commend the Board for a strict gift limit policy that aligns us with our members and taxpayers, and demonstrates that the culture of privilege has no business at CalPERS.”
In 2011, the CalPERS Board comprehensively reviewed its governance policies and practices. The Board adopted a number of governance reforms, including six Principles for Effective Public Pension Fund Governance that reflect each board member’s commitment to be effective and capable fiduciaries, ethical leaders, and open and accountable to CalPERS stakeholders (see “CalPERS Board Adopts Governance Reforms”).