CPP Reserve Fund Grows to $91.7 Billion

November 10, 2005 The CPP reserve fund, which includes investment earnings and CPP contributions not needed to pay current pensions, grew by $4.7 billion to $91.7 billion during the quarter ending September 30, 2005. The CPP reserve fund earned $4.0 billion from investments in publicly traded stocks, private equity, real estate, infrastructure and government bonds for a rate of return of 4.5 per cent for the quarter (not annualized). The fund grew by a further $0.7 billion from CPP contributions not needed to pay current pensions. At September 30, 2005, the CPP reserve fund consisted of 55.5 per cent ($50.8 billion) of publicly traded stocks, 30.8 per cent ($28.3 billion) of government bonds, 4.3 per cent ($3.9 billion) in cash and money market securities, 5.6 per cent ($5.2 billion) of real return assets and 3.8 per cent ($3.5 billion) of private equity.

"We are pleased with the progress we are making in diversifying the reserve fund into a broader range of asset classes," said David Denison, President and CEO, CPP Investment Board. "One example of this broader investment approach is the recent completion of the purchase of the Olympia and York real estate portfolio by a consortium in which we are a major participant."

Based on actuarial projections, CPP contributions are expected to exceed benefits paid until 2022, providing a 17-year period before a portion of the investment income from the CPP reserve fund is needed to help pay CPP benefits.

Since 1999, when the CPP Investment Board began its investment program, the CPP reserve fund has more than doubled to $91.7 billion, with about 61 per cent, or $28.9 billion, of the increase coming from investment gains. The Chief Actuary of Canada estimates the fund will grow to approximately $147 billion by 2010. CPP Investment Board The CPP Investment Board invests in capital markets the funds not needed by the Canada Pension Plan to pay current pensions. Cash flows are currently invested in equities and real return assets, including real estate and infrastructure, to balance the cash and bonds owned by the Canada Pension Plan. By increasing the long-term value of funds, the CPP Investment Board will help the Canada Pension Plan to keep its pension promise to 16 million Canadians. With a mandate from the federal and provincial governments, the CPP Investment Board is accountable to Parliament and to the federal and provincial finance ministers who serve as the stewards of the CPP. Based in Toronto, CPP Investment Board is governed and managed independently of the Canada Pension Plan and at arm's length from governments. Its fiscal year is from April 1 to March 31. For more information about the CPP Investment Board, www.cppib.ca.         For further information contact: John Cappelletti, Manager, Communications 416-868-0308 jcappelletti@cppib.ca. Or Ian Dale, Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations 416-868-4086 idale@cppib.ca