Timber!: Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board Considers an Alternative Investment Class

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Board is a nine member board appointed to administer the well-established Ontario Teachers' pension plan. At one time, there were concerns that the plans value of liabilities was exceeding the value of assets. Through the board's investment strategy, the plan turn itself around and now had a surplus. The board needed to consider the best investment options for this surplus to reduce the risk of surplus loss. One option is investment in timberland - land with the potential to grow commercial tree crops. The board's director of research and economics is preparing an analysis of the pros and cons of investing in timberland and must recommend whether the board should consider such an investment.