Press Release

November 14, 2012

External Affairs Branch
(916) 795-3991
Robert Udall Glazier, Deputy Executive Officer
Brad Pacheco, Chief, Office of Public Affairs
Contact: Michelle Basso Reynolds, Information Officer
pressroom@calpers.ca.gov

CalPERS to Honor Veterans at Special Event

SACRAMENTO, CA –The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) today announced that it plans to honor the sacrifices CalPERS staff has made as veterans at a special event at 1:00 p.m. on November 15, 2012, in the CalPERS Auditorium. CalPERS is celebrating its veterans to coincide with its November Board of Administration meetings. More than 120 CalPERS staff have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including some currently enlisted as Reservists.

The event will feature presentations from Carla Goulart, Chief Operating Officer of Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation and Dan Nevins, Director of Warriors Speak, an outreach program of the Wounded Warriors Project. Sentinels of Freedom provide scholarships to assist wounded veterans by giving them the opportunity to begin or continue their higher education. The Wounded Warrior Project serves military service members who sustained wounds, injuries or illnesses in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.

Rob Feckner, CalPERS Board of Administration President, said: “On behalf of the Board of Administration, I want to recognize all of our staff who have served our country in the Armed Forces and presently serve as Reservists. Thank you for the dedication and commitment to protecting our country, and for your continued public service to CalPERS members.”

The special event will also include a vendor fair featuring businesses owned by disabled veterans and organizations that provide services for the disabled. The event is also a part of CalPERS efforts to support National Disability Awareness Month.

CalPERS is the nation’s largest public pension fund with approximately $245 billion in assets, providing retirement benefits to more than 1.6 million State, public school, and local public agency employees, retirees, and their families, and health benefits to more than 1.3 million members. The average CalPERS pension is $2,420 per month. The average benefit for those who retired in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2012, is $3,025 per month. For more information about CalPERS, visit www.calpers.ca.gov. 

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Dated: 11-14-2012