at this time, i'd like to introduce helen blum.eview the jury's findings on the assumed investment return. she will also answer the responses that the fund board and staff have made to the jury's findings and recommendation with respect to the assumed investment return. helen. >> hello. i'm helen bloom. i am going to speak about the investment return assumption. the funding level for the fund depends on a number of unknowable future events, one of which is the estimate of the fund's future investment returns. since according to the city charter the fund must be fully funded an increase in the estimate of the future returns can result in a corresponding decrease in the need for current city contributions. the reverse is also true. a decrease in the estimate of the future returns can result in the need of the city to increase its current contributions. the assumed rate of return now is 7.66% through 2013. it will then go to 7.5%. the assumed rate of return is set by the retirementrmjb there is pressure on the board from the city to k