It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Terrace Hill Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Des Moines, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Good Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Flemings Prime Steakhouse Wine Bar or visit Witmer House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Des Moines, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Des Moines, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Des Moines, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Monday, July 21, 2025, winning numbers for each game:Winning Powerball numbers from July 21 drawing08-11-28-33-42, Pow...
The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.
Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Monday, July 21, 2025, winning numbers for each game:
08-11-28-33-42, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 5-1-9
Evening: 8-6-4
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 3-3-5-6
Evening: 9-5-9-0
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
01-12-19-38-48, Lucky Ball: 10
05-07-13-47-52, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02
02-41-56-59-66, Powerball: 06
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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For Adel-De Soto-Minburn and Dallas Center-Grimes, the Iowa high school state softball tournament started out with a matchup between two teams that could’ve played all the way through to the championship.That was evident, as it took extra innings to decide a winner between the two central Iowa ...
For Adel-De Soto-Minburn and Dallas Center-Grimes, the Iowa high school state softball tournament started out with a matchup between two teams that could’ve played all the way through to the championship.
That was evident, as it took extra innings to decide a winner between the two central Iowa competitors on July 21.
But – bolstered by a three-run ninth inning – No. 5 seeded ADM took down No. 4 seeded DCG, 4-1.
“We work on pressure situations and being able to be in the moment,” said ADM head coach Lindsay Stanford. “Every pitch, every out, every inning matters. …It was just a matter of who was going to get that rally going for us, and then everybody then capitalized on it.”
For much of Monday’s quarterfinal, though, it looked like the Mustangs would come out on top. Jenah Gray hit a home run over the left field fence during her first at-bat, putting DCG up 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning.
That lead stood until the top of the sixth, with both teams evenly matched throughout the contest.
Lauren Hagedorn – who spent much of the season coming back from not one but two injuries – led off the top of the sixth inning for ADM. She sent the ball sailing over the left-field fence, tying the game at one run apiece. That score stood through regulation, and through the first additional inning.
“(She’s) capable of winning a game,” Stanford said. “Her being injured, it really put the dynamic of the team in a different situation this year. …She’s a role model, and everybody’s looking up to her. And we know she’s going to keep us in the game on the mound.”
But by the ninth inning, the Tigers were ready to wrap up the action.
Senior Madi James – playing in her fifth state tournament in as many years – kicked off the ninth inning with a double.
“There’s nothing like the Iowa tournament, and we knew DCG was going to be younger,” Stanford said. “The nerves are crazy here, and having those experienced people there definitely is a bonus.”
One out later, Makenna Pitlick’s double scored James. A base hit from Aubrey Noring moved pinch runner Kate Darling to third, and Ellis Smith’s sacrifice fly scored Darling. Lauryn Troster followed that with a double of her own – with an error on DCG’s left fielder – to score Noring.
With a three-run lead, Hagedorn entered the circle in hopes of closing out the game without another run. It wasn’t a simple three-up-three-down frame, but that lead remained intact and the Tigers walked away with the win.
The Tigers will take on No. 8 Pella, which upset No. 1 Xavier, 5-1, in the first quarterfinal matchup of the tournament, in the state semifinals on July 23.
No. 6 seed Western Dubuque took the early lead, going up by four, and it took several innings for No. 3 North Polk to respond. But when it did, the Comets went on a streak of their own, scoring three runs in a single inning.
The scoring came in bursts, with Western Dubuque extending its lead (7-4) over North Polk in the top of the seventh inning. But the Comets weren’t going down with a fight.
Larissa Koth hit a double into center field to clear the bases and score three. Her near grand slam came at just the right moment, with North Polk trailing by three and with two outs on the board.
Western Dubuque got that third out shortly after, and yet another Class 4A quarterfinal headed into extra innings. Neither team scored in the eighth, and the Bobcats were held off the board in the bottom of the ninth.
It looked like the game would head into the 10th inning, especially after North Polk’s first out. But the Comets only needed one run, and they got it thanks to Tessa Dillinger’s sacrifice fly to send Lucy Lucas home.
North Polk advanced to the July 23 state semifinals with the 8-7 win in extra innings. The Comets will take on North Scott for a trip to the state title game.
Eight-seeded Pella upset No. 1 seed Xavier in the first game of the tournament, and the lower seeds continued to impress throughout the day. No. 7 North Scott took down No. 2 Norwalk, 7-1, on July 21.
The Warriors had plenty of opportunities to put runs on the board – with a dozen runners left on base. But North Scott scored three in the opening inning and added four more in the fourth. That lead proved too much for the Warriors to overcome.
Norwalk finishes the season with a 33-8 overall record.
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
(This story was updated with new information.)Fear not, Iowans: The Iowa State Fair butter cow sculptures do not endorse infidelity.But that didn't stop a popular Iowa social media account from claiming Iowa's butter cow will be joined by two viral friends.The post claims a new butter sculpture will feature a depiction of the viral moment of a ...
(This story was updated with new information.)
Fear not, Iowans: The Iowa State Fair butter cow sculptures do not endorse infidelity.
But that didn't stop a popular Iowa social media account from claiming Iowa's butter cow will be joined by two viral friends.
The post claims a new butter sculpture will feature a depiction of the viral moment of a CEO who was caught allegedly having an affair on a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert.
The post, from Iowa Road Trip, claimed the "newest" sculpture of the couple would stand alongside the over 100-year-old traditional butter cow at the 2025 Iowa State Fair.
While the viral moment from the Coldplay concert isn't likely to last much longer, you can count on other butter sculptures being present at the Iowa State Fair.
The cow's cooler features other sculptures each year, often united around a theme. The actual 2025 Iowa State Fair butter sculptures were announced in June. The Iowa State Fair confirmed on July 21 that despite the internet buzz, the couple will not be a butter sculpture at this year's fair.
The butter cow will instead share its fridge space with a few characters from the animated Pixar movie "Toy Story." In previous years, the buttered cow's friends included Iowa-born comedians like Johnny Carson and Steve Higgins or star athletes like Caitlin Clark.
The butter cow takes three people roughly 40 hours to complete.
The tradition of the butter cow started at the Iowa State Fair in 1911. Since then, there have been five butter cow sculptors.
The Iowa State butter cow has even traveled across the country, or at least its cousin did. A replica of the butter cow is part of an exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C., for a yearlong exhibit called "The State Fair and American Craft."
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
A new lawsuit states that Iowa's $45 billion employee retirement fund is being mismanaged by officials painting a misleadingly rosy view of their performance.Rich Wiggins, who worked for the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System as its investment risk officer in 2022 and 2023, is suing the state for wrongful termination, saying he was fired for objecting to questionable investment strategies and reporting policies.Wiggins' complaint describ...
A new lawsuit states that Iowa's $45 billion employee retirement fund is being mismanaged by officials painting a misleadingly rosy view of their performance.
Rich Wiggins, who worked for the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System as its investment risk officer in 2022 and 2023, is suing the state for wrongful termination, saying he was fired for objecting to questionable investment strategies and reporting policies.
Wiggins' complaint describes several areas where, he said, IPERS at minimum does not follow best practices and at worst is intentionally deceiving pensioners and state leaders.
IPERS manages retirement funds and benefits for tens of thousands of public employees, including teachers and public safety workers. According to its website, it disburses more than $2 billion annually in benefits, and one in 10 Iowans will receive IPERS benefits as part of their retirement income.
A spokesperson for IPERS did not return a message inquiring about Wiggins' complaint, filed July 14 in Polk County. The Iowa Attorney General's Office, which represents state agencies in court, declined to comment. Wiggins and his attorney did not comment.
According to his complaint, Wiggins joined IPERS in June 2022 after holding a similar investment role with Saudi Aramco, one of the world's largest companies.
One of the first issues Wiggins encountered, he said, is that part of an investment risk officer's job is to monitor the conduct of a fund's chief investment officer.
But at IPERS, the investment risk officer reported to the chief investment officer, Sriram Lakshminarayanan, who was promoted to that role after serving as investment risk officer himself. That meant Wiggins was expected to serve as a watchdog over his own manager, who could fire him at any time.
Upon starting at IPERS, Wiggins said, he found a system "riddled with errors." He alleges he repeatedly tried to bring these problems to the attention of Lakshminarayanan and IPERS CEO Gregory Samorajski, to no avail.
In February 2023, Wiggins said, he was terminated for being a "bad fit."
IPERS has not hired another investment risk officer, he said, meaning that Lakshminarayanan, who allegedly once tried to move Wiggins to a different role because "we don't have any risk," is effectively serving as both chief investment officer and investment risk officer.
Wiggins' complaint details three problems he said exist in IPERS' financial reporting and controls.
Investment funds such as IPERS must regularly report investment returns, including an assessment of their portfolio's risk factors. Many funds use industry-standard software packages to do so, but not IPERS, Wiggins said.
Instead, IPERS relies on formulas Lakshminarayanan developed that are run on Microsoft Excel by a small Illinois firm with no other large investment fund clients. When he asked to review those formulas, Wiggins said, he was ignored or rebuffed.
Evaluating from the outside, Wiggins said, IPERS' portfolio appears to be exposed to considerable risk.
"Some of the risky strategies employed by IPERS would lead to the fund doing especially badly in poor market conditions," he wrote.
Public investment funds also report their income in comparison with benchmarks, often other similar funds or measurements of the financial sector. But Wiggins said for many of IPERS' investments, the benchmarks are designed to match the fund itself, or to funds tied to the near-zero return of holding cash.
"A huge swath of the portfolio is benchmarked directly to itself, so it is impossible to underperform. If IPERS’ private equity, real estate, direct lending, opportunistic credit and real assets all went to zero, the plan would not underperform its benchmark," Wiggins wrote.
Wiggins also alleged that Lakshminarayanan and Samorajski misled IPERS' investment board by understating the fees IPERS paid on its investments.
In each case, Wiggins said, the improper financial controls allowed his superiors to understate risk and overstate IPERS' performance, alleging that the two "submitted false information to a state board and then requested money in the form of bonuses."
William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at [email protected] or 715-573-8166.
877-292-2126
