Investments

Investment returns account for the majority of a retired educator’s benefit payment over their lifetime, so we have a strong interest in maximizing returns. STRS Ohio currently manages two-thirds of our assets internally.

Statement of Investment Beliefs

STRS Ohio seeks to maximize return at a prudent level of risk.

STRS Ohio invests for the long-term.

Good governance is critical for success.

Cash flows matter.

Investment diversification works.

Economies of scale benefit members.

Costs matter.

Members of STRS Ohio are rewarded for taking certain investment risks.

Active and passive investing are both appropriate.

Internal asset management is a strategic advantage.

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Investment portfolio

Our investment portfolio is diversified across multiple asset classes providing better risk-adjusted performance leading to a less volatile return experience. A well-diversified portfolio also reduces the impact of losses from individual asset classes or securities.

Investment distribution by fair value

as of June 30, 2023

Historical total fund returns

Total returns, annualized on a fiscal-year basis, July 1–June 30

Two eggs, one with a dollar sign, in a nest illustration

As of June 30, 2023

$92.8

billion

total investments

Ohio Statehouse illustration with silhouettes of office buildings in the background

In fiscal 2023

$900

million

invested in companies headquartered in Ohio

Historical asset growth (1994–2023)

Investment returns and cash flows matter

Diversification of our assets and prudent investing helps the system “weather the storm” of market fluctuations.

^*2000–2023

Investment returns are vitally important.

In fiscal 2023

$86.2

billion

STRS Ohio pension assets

Investment implementation

Better investment performance means a higher pension fund value.

Umbrella with a dollar sign illustration

Managing two-thirds of our assets internally saves more than $130 million in fees that would otherwise be paid to external investment managers

For a small number of eligible investment associates, incentives are a portion of total compensation

Over the 20-year period ending on Dec. 31, 2023, our net total fund investment return was higher than 98% of our investment consultant Meketa’s plan sponsor peer group.

Dollar bill illustration depicting STRS Ohio’s income from investments

majority

of STRS Ohio’s income comes from investments

Vendor opportunities

We work with consultants, advisors and other professionals to advance our mission. Thank you for your interest in doing business with us. Requests for proposal (RFPs) will be posted when they are available.

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