Pension Rate Stabilization Program

A Comprehensive Prefunding Solution to Address Rising STRS/PERS Costs.

PARS (Public Agency Retirement Services), in partnership with the Community College League of California (CCLC), is proud to offer the Pension Rate Stabilization Program (PRSP), a first-of-its-kind, IRS-approved, IRC Section 115 irrevocable trust program designed to help community college districts manage ongoing pension obligations. Please contact Natalie Sidarous, Senior Director of District Services at 916-245-5027 or natalie@ccleague.org.

Program Benefits

  • Stabilize Costs
    Access funds to reimburse your District for pension-related expenses to help offset rising STRS/PERS contribution rates.
  • Local Control
    District maintains autonomy over assets, contributions, disbursements, timing and investment risk tolerance.
  • Protection
    Funds in the trust are securely set-aside and protected from diversion for uses other than pension.
  • Diversified Investing
    Assets in an exclusive benefit trust can be diversely invested and may achieve greater returns than your general fund/treasury pool.
  • Rainy Day Fund
    Emergency source of funds when employer revenues are strained in difficult budgetary or economic times.
  • Long-Term Planning
    Prudent solution for managing ongoing pension liabilities on financial statements due to GASB 68.

Key Advantages of PRSP

  • Turn-Key
    A simple governance trust structure and full service approach reduces staff and fiduciary burdens.
  • U.S. Bank
    Security of the 5th largest commercial bank and one of the nation’s largest trustees for Section 115 trusts.
  • Program Pioneer
    PARS pioneered the pension prefunding trust in 2015, receiving a first-of-its-kind IRS private letter ruling.
  • Low-Cost Approach
    Economies of scale without risk sharing, low-cost investments, and fees that decrease as assets grow across investment pools.
  • Investment Flexibility
    Partners Vanguard and HighMark Capital Management offer active and index portfolios at a variety of risk tolerance levels.
  • Personalized Service
    PARS and Community College League provide a dedicated and experienced team to serve your ongoing needs.

STRS/PERS Contribution Rate Increases Through 2028-29

Districts Facing Ongoing STRS & PERS Increases

California community college districts face scheduled increases to their STRS and PERS contribution rates through 2028-29 due to the underfunding of the pension plans. The Chancellor’s Office has recommended that districts plan ahead for long-term ongoing liabilities by setting funds aside now.

About PARS

For over 35 years, PARS has been a leader in custom and turn-key retirement programs for community colleges and other public agencies.

PARS pioneered the PRSP concept and obtained a first-of-its-kind Private Letter Ruling from the IRS in 2015. Since then, over 240 public agencies in California have joined PRSP including colleges, school districts, cities, counties and special districts. As a specialist in retirement program design, implementation and ongoing administration, PARS has administered more than 2,000 plans for over 1,000 clients and 500,000 public employees, including 44 community college districts, and currently has $6 billion in assets under administration.

Your PARS Contacts

Eric O’Leary
eoleary@pars.org
+1 (800) 540-6369 ext. 124

Rachael Sanders
rsanders@pars.org
916-906-2521 ext. 121

Jennifer Meza
jmeza@pars.org
916-906-3330 ext. 141

Thank you to our Corporate Partners