State Employees’ Retirement Fund Market Value Altimeter
April 2007
| Valuation Date |
Market Value (in billions) |
| 2/28/07 | $11.304 |
| 1/31/07 | $11.369 |
| 12/31/06 | $11.311 |
| 9/30/06 | $10.836 |
| 6/30/06 | $10.494 |
| 3/31/06 | $10.590 |
| 12/31/05 | $10.273 |
| 12/31/04 | $9.785 |
| 12/31/03 | $9.369 |
| 12/31/02 | $8.573 |
| 12/31/01 | $9.914 |
| 12/31/00 | $10.890 |
| 12/31/99 | $11.055 |
| 12/31/98 | $10.020 |
| 12/31/97 | $8.922 |
| 12/31/96 | $7.654 |
| 12/31/94 | $5.385 |
| 12/31/90 | 3.9935 |
After many months of a continual increase in the outstanding balance of the State Employee Retirement Investments portfolio the fund suffered a setback. As of the end of February the bottom line showed 11.304 billion, a decrease of 65 million from the month ending January 31, 2007. The fund indicated an incrase of 1.038 billion between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006. Increases in domestic and international equities predominated.
Observations, Facts and Assumptions
The mission of the Office of Retirement Services is being “a customer focused organization that serves members and employees today and prepares them for tomorrow.” When “tomorrow” comes SERA is tehre. It is an organization devoted exclusively to the betterment of all retired State of Michigan employees. The dictionary explains betterment as: to make better; improve.
The Social Security Preservation Act (H.R. 219) is now pendig in Congress. Its content is to stop elements from raiding the Social Security Trust Fund for use on special interest programs and other Federal bills. This year alone the government will take in nearly 173 billion in payroll taxes and will be spent on programs other than Social Security. This money originally would have been construed as surpolus funds for use at a later date. The funds now are spent the year they are created. The trust fund tehrefore, in reality, is represented by IOU’s from the Federal government. It appears there is no reason to have a trust fund as structured. “Dear Lord and Fatehr of mankind forgive our foolish ways! Reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find. In deeper reverence, priase.” (The Brewing of Sojma — 1872 &@82212; Whittier)
Did You Know
- Our first class stamp on May 14th will increase again by two cents to forty one cents. Also, the ‘forever stamp’ will go on sale April 12 and appears to be a better deal as the price is also forty one cents, however, it can be used forever with no increase in cost. Prices have gone up 13 times since 1974 when a first class stamp went from 8 cents to a dime.
- Male foxes are called dogs, tods, vixes and reynards. Females — vixens. Young are called kits, cubs or pups. A group of foxes is called skulk.
- The “International Solid Waste Importation and Management Act,” H.R. 518 soon to be voted on will allow state governments to have a say so in allowing or not allowing trash or hazardous waste be imported from Canada.
Ponder This
- Sandwich spraed — what you get from eating between meals.
- Since we are all average in intelligence why isn’t the average higher?
- Inflation is when the buck doesn’t stop anywhere.
- A houseing development is wher thyey cut down all the trees and then name the strees after them.
- A new wine for seniors: California vinters in the Napa Valley area, which primarily produces Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio Wines have developed a new hybrid grape that accts as an anti-diuretic. It is expected to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to the bathroom during the night. The new wine will be marketed as Pino More.
Editor’s note: Al Trierweiter is a former President of the Lansing SERA Chapter, former Chairman of the Michigan SERA Coordinating Council, former Legislative Representative for both the Lansing Chapter and the SERA Council. AI may be reached at 6440 Old River Trail, Lansing 48917; phone 321-0041.
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