Asset Allocation and Fund Performance Of Defined Benefit Pension Funds in the United States Between 1998-2011

This CEM study sponsored by NAREIT analyzes cost and performance data from over 300 defined benefit plans

CEM is an independent provider of cost and performance benchmarking analysis for pension funds, endowments and foundations. Its study on defined benefit plan asset allocation and fund performance, provides direct comparative insights on realized net investment returns and management fees for 12 different asset classes, including traditional stock and bond funds and real and alternative assets.

The study is based on data provided by more than 300 U.S. DB plans with $2.8 trillion of assets, and analyzes the period 1998 through 2011, during which fundamental changes occurred in DB allocations including heavy net inflows into alternative and real assets. CEM used its extensive databases to examine how allocation decisions paid off in terms of gross returns and realized returns net of fees charged by investment managers.