OMERS Releases On-Line 2008 Annual Report

Sets Course for the Future

TORONTO - OMERS announced the release of its first-ever web-based Annual Report, providing both a breakdown of the 2008 annual returns which include the returns of three other funds currently managed by OMERS. "2008 was a difficult year," said Michael Nobrega, OMERS President and CEO. "But our plans to grow the fund through a rebalancing of the portfolio and by inviting other pension funds to participate in our investments will stand us all in good stead in the years to come."

OMERS asset mix currently sits at approximately 60% public assets vs 40% private, a significant shift from about 80/20 just three years ago. The shift will continue as OMERS expands its global footprint and looks to dominant assets in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. As outlined in the Annual Report, OMERS returns in the infrastructure and real estate classes have grown despite of the losses in public equities.

"The kind of dominant assets we are seeking provide long-term steady returns and are well-matched to the liabilities of a pension plan, but tend to be accessible only to the very large capital pools" said Nobrega. "By teaming with a larger plan like OMERS certain pension plans can gain access to what has traditionally been out of reach." OMERS has and continues to manage pension funds on behalf of other pension plans - giving other plans the opportunity to benefit from OMERS investment management expertise on a cost-effective basis.

By switching to an on-line Annual Report, OMERS is supporting a trend toward a more environmentally-friendly approach followed by several organizations.