What is the primary purpose of pension trust funds?

The primary purpose of pension trust funds is to manage government-sponsored defined benefit and contribution plans. These funds are established to ensure that there are sufficient resources dedicated to pay pension benefits to employees over time. They do this by collecting contributions from employers and employees, investing those contributions, and ultimately disbursing benefits when employees retire or if they fulfill other eligibility criteria.

Pension trust funds are critical because they provide a structured approach to manage the complexities of pension liabilities and ensure that the funds will be available when needed. This management includes investment strategies that aim to grow the assets and meet long-term obligations, which is central to the sustainability of pension plans. By keeping these funds separate from general government funds, there is also a level of accountability and transparency regarding how the funds are handled and how they perform.

The other choices do not align with the specific function of pension trust funds. For example, holding cash temporarily or managing external investment pools pertains to other types of government financial activities, rather than the specific intent of managing pension benefits. Additionally, pension trust funds are focused on public employee benefits rather than providing benefits to private organizations and individuals, which falls outside of their defined purpose.