Pension Risk Matters

Voices of San Diego reporter Evan McLaughlin writes that the Fourth District Court of Appeal "upheld the district attorney's prosecution of six former pension board members." After several years of wending its way through the court system, allegations that trustees violated California's "conflict-of-interest law" will be heard. Charges emphasize "an agreement in 2002 that boosted the future pension pay of the defendants and thousands of other city employees in exchange for allowing the city to underfund the pension trust that year." Click here to read "DA's Pension Case Moves Forward" (September 7, 2007). Click here to read the ruling.

Regardless of the outcome, and acknowleging a presumption of innocence until proven guilty, a key take-away is that pension fiduciaries are absolutely on the hook. Not to be taken lightly, the job of retirement steward is a serious one. Civil and criminal penalties in the event of proven wrong-doing are possibilities. It's no surprise then that liability underwriters are fielding frequent calls for greater and more comprehensive coverage.