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Institutional Services ♦ Serving Specialized Markets

Whether the issue your organization faces is how to fund future retiree health benefits, how to meet government payout requirements or how to comply with accounting standards, Consulting Group Institutional Services (CGIS) can recommend customized strategies.

Associations

Occupying a niche between charitable organizations and not-for-profit companies, associations often face the financial challenges common in both worlds. Whether your association consists of a hundred members or several thousands, we deliver investment strategies for all types of funds — from cash management to operating funds to endowed assets.

Defined Benefit Plans

Consulting Group has a long history of helping pension plans meet the need for retirement savings. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 added a host of new rules that guide plan design, funding requirements and investment strategies. We offer specialized services such as asset/liability studies to help determine the asset growth needed to fund future liabilities. Then, we recommend asset allocation strategies that will help you meet — or exceed — those liabilities.

Defined Contribution Plans

Defined contribution plans are shifting away from traditional fee arrangements and focusing instead on complete fee transparency and fee-based compensation models. Our defined contribution plan services feature fully disclosed fees and a menu of more than 200 funds researched and evaluated using a disciplined process.

Family Offices

Single and multi-family offices and their private trustees and directors have special investment and financing needs that set them apart from other investors. These needs can include complex tax and estate-planning issues, disposition of restricted stock, management of offshore investments, the appraisal of rare antiques, art and real estate, and the management of investment objectives across multiple generations. Our family wealth advisors and consultants can leverage the vast resources of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney to help you and your family's wealth.

Foundations, Endowments and Not-for-profit Organizations

Philanthropic fiduciaries must match anticipated budget needs with available resources. Yet, future outlays typically cannot be actuarially projected. Many private foundations must also factor in minimum annual distributions required by law. These accounting requirements can place unique strains on investment decisions. In addition, many foundations and endowments are run by private trustees who may not be entirely well-versed in the ramifications of their fiduciary and investment decisions. CGIS has made investment consulting for not-for-profit organizations an important component of our advisory services.

Health Care Organizations

In an era of increased competition and cost restraints in both the private and public sectors, many health care organizations face an acute need for financial resources. Some of the top issues they face are the improved management of their endowments, operating funds and capital campaign proceeds. We have capabilities across all these types of portfolios to align investment strategies with spending needs.

Public Plans

Public pension plan trustees, while not governed by the fiduciary definitions of ERISA, are bound by certain standards and other requirements defined by state law. Complying with these provisions — while meeting the expectations of elected officials, government leaders, community residences and beneficiaries — is a particular challenge at a time when many public funds are restructuring their investment strategies and exploring non-traditional portfolio opportunities. Consulting Group has made investment education and fiduciary advice a focus of our services to public pension plans.

Religious Organizations

The executives of religious organizations face unique challenges with their ministries, houses of worship and congregations. We provide resources and leadership for all religious organizations and specialize in the alignment of investment strategies with religious beliefs and goals.

Taft-Hartley Funds

Trustees of multi-employer plans must comply with ERISA, PPA and the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act. In today's regulatory environment, ensuring compliance with all sets of fiduciary standards is not a simple matter, particularly when multiple benefits — retirement, health, education and disability — must be often invested and administered in different ways. We have broad strengths in helping meet the needs of America's workers through the prudent management of Taft-Hartley funds.

State and Local Governments

Government entities are usually restricted to the types of investments they can use. These restrictions differ from state to state and often by the type of institution within each state. Many state and local governments are grappling with a statement issued by the Government Accounting Standards Board known as GASB 45, which mandates accounting rules for other post-employment benefits. Consulting Group is well-versed in GASB 45 and can help state and local governments develop investment strategies and select managers to meet the special GASB requirements.

For more information about how Consulting Group Institutional Services can help your organization develop appropriate strategies, please contact us.