Inside MERS Investments

(Recorded 10/22/2025) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio. Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com/podcast for the podcast show notes.

(Recorded 08/19/2025) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio. Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com/podcast for the podcast show notes.

(Recorded 04/22/2025) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio. Other topics include Benchmarks, diversification, asset allocation, market volatility and recession? Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com/podcast for the podcast show notes.

(Recorded 02/4/2025) A 2024 review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio. Benchmarks, Diversification, and a look at 2025. Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com/podcast for the podcast show notes.

(Recorded 11/13/2024) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the first quarter of 2024. We also discuss asset classes, inflation, impact of the election, and the importance of diversification. Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

(Recorded 08/07/2024) If uncertainty breeds market volatility, what should investors expect in a Presidential election year? MERS Chief Investment Officer Jeb Burns puts this and other questions to Louis-Vincent Gave, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Gavekal is a financial services company headquartered in Hong Kong. Mr. Gave gives his thoughts on the market impact of our upcoming elections, as well as some of the long-term trends he sees affecting global markets.

(Recorded 06/06/2024) In 2023, the MERS Defined Benefit (DB) Portfolio significantly outperformed our actuarial assumed rate of return. We discuss how, based on this performance, a portion of the excess gains were used to lower the assumed rate of return reflected in your most recent Annual Actuarial Valuation (AAV) and the effect this will have on employer contributions. Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

(Recorded 04/17/2024) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the first quarter of 2024. We also discuss asset classes, allocation, and the importance of diversification. Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.

(Recorded 02/07/2023) Review market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the 4th quarter of 2023. We then focus this episode on reviewing asset allocation and governance. Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information. 

(Recorded 11/02/2023) A brief review of market performance of the MERS Defined Benefit Portfolio in the third quarter of 2023. We focus this episode on market volatility and how MERS’s performance is impacted by overall market forces, how we strategize for “down” markets and economic uncertainty, and where that has positioned us at this point. Email questions to [email protected]. Visit www.mersofmich.com for more investment information.