Guidance for Data Users

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Within Quarterly Survey of Public Pensions (QSPP)

Guidance for Data Users

We have created this page to help you figure out how to use these statistics. The guidance may explain which data sources to use and how to make comparisons. Related sites may offer further information.

QSPP Bridge Report

Describes the changes to the panel from drawing a new top 100 systems based on the 2012 Census of Governments. Changes to the panel and their impact on the data are explained.

Panel Information

  • From 1969-1973, the panel contained the 100 largest systems by total holdings.
  • From 1974-1976, the panel increased to the 111 largest systems.
  • From 1977-1979, the panel decreased to the 106 largest systems.
  • From 1980-1982, the panel decreased to the 105 largest systems.
  • From 1983-1984, the panel decreased to the 102 largest systems
  • From 1985-1994, the panel increased to the 104 largest systems.
  • From 1995-1999, no data about the panel are available.
  • From 2000-present, the panel contains the 100 largest systems.

    Changes to Classification Over Time

  • Effective with the first quarter of 2012, private equity, venture capital, and leveraged buy-outs are now classified under corporate stocks instead of other securities.
  • Effective with the first quarter of 2012, federally-sponsored agency securities are now classified under federal government securities instead of corporate bonds.
  • Effective with the first quarter of 2010 the Denver Public Schools Retirement System merged with the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association, one of the 100 systems in the panel, while the Denver Public Schools Retirement System was not. As a result, this merger greatly increased the total government contributions for the first quarter of 2010.
  • Starting in the fourth quarter of 2004, government contributions was revised to include contributions from other governments.
  • Effective the second quarter of 2002 through the third quarter of 2004, earnings on investments were adjusted to exclude imputed data.
  • 1987-1989 data were revised to reflect reclassification of mortgages to federally sponsored agency securities.
  • Starting with the March 1987 quarter, federally sponsored agency securities were reclassified as corporate bonds.
  • Receipt data for calendar years 1978, 1979, 1980, and the first and second quarters of 1981 were revised in the September 30, 1981 report to reflect a change in the estimation procedure for nonrespondents.
  • Prior to the March 31, 1978 report, federal agency securities were included under other securities.

    • Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021