MINUTES OF MEETING
STATE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT COMMISSION
55 ELM STREET
HARTFORD, CT 06106

February 21, 2013

TRUSTEES PRESENT
Peter Blum
Robert Baus
Sandra Fae Brown-Brewton
Michael Carey
Charles Casella
Richard Cosgrove
James Dzurenda
Steve Greatorex
Sal Luciano
Ronald McLellan
Laila Mandour
Claude Poulin
Linda Yelmini

TRUSTEES ABSENT
Robert Coffey
Paul Fortier

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller
Lee Ann Palladino, CIO, Office of the State Treasurer

MUNICIPAL LIAISON
Thomas Landry

OTHERS PRESENT
Brenda Halpin, Director, Retirement Services Division
Kishore Solanki, Asst. Director, Retirements Services Division
Virginia Brown, Staff Attorney, Retirement Services Division
Natalie Braswell, Assistant State Comptroller
Peggy Gray, Executive Secretary, Retirement Services Division

OTHERS PRESENT
Paul Rapanault
Chris Fletcher
John Gesmonde

CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Nothing to report at this time.

DIVISION DIRECTOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Following the close of the February 2013 retirement payroll, the current backlog of unfinalized retirement records is approximately 12,606. The Division processed 151 new retirees (137 normal, 14 disabilities) to payroll for January and 137 (122 normal, 15 disabilities) new retirees for February. Finalizations for the month of January were 314 and for February they were 343.

We have received 378 requests to transfer from the ARP to Hybrid. We are meeting with ING tomorrow to discuss the work flow of the payments and to address the future payments of those members with encumbered funds.

Pending Disability Applications as of January 31, 2013

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY

At the present time, we are reviewing cases from the Fall of 2012. The next available meeting for scheduling is May 2013.

We are revising the statewide memorandum, the form and the Q&A'S on the SEBAC 2011 Option to Retain Grandfathered Normal Retirement Date information will be distributed to all of the Retirement Commission Trustees.

I would like to bring a matter regarding the City of Bridgeport Fire Department that became part of MERS in 2011. We have not received their July 1, 2012 amortization payment including the administrative fee. We are continuing to work with the City of Bridgeport Fire Department to resolve the matter. I will keep you informed.

I would like to invite all of you for cake for Jeanne Kopek'S retirement at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26th in the 2nd floor conference room.

NEW MATTER

1. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 10, 2013 MINUTES Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2013. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

2. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN'S PER DIEM EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman'S Per Diem Expenses. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

3. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM SERVICE RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the month of December 2012. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

4. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM SERVICE RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2013 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the month of January 2013. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

5. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM DISABILITY RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Disability Retirements for the month of December 2012. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

6. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES SYSTEM DISABILITY RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2013 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Disability Retirements for the month of January 2013. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

7. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES SYSTEM VOLUNTARY PENDING RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the month of December 2012. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

8. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES SYSTEM VOLUNTARY PENDING RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2013 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the month of January 2013. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

9. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM PRE RETIREMENT DEATH BENEFIT RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Pre Retirement Death Benefit Retirements for the month of December 2012. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

10. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETROACTIVE RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2013 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the month of January 2013. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

11. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD FROM ITS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 30, 2012 RELATIVE TO APPLICATIONS FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT RECEIVED FROM THE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the non-service connected disability retirement in accordance with the Medical Examining Board recommendation from its meeting on November 30, 2012 and to table the denied service connected disability retirements until the next meeting. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

12. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD FROM ITS MEETING ON DECEMBER 21, 2012 RELATIVE TO APPLICATIONS FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT RECEIVED FROM THE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the non-service connected disability retirement in accordance with the Medical Examining Board recommendations from its meeting on December 21, 2012 and to table the denied service connected and non-service connected disability retirements until the next meeting . All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

13. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

14. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirements. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

15. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE JUDGES, FAMILY SUPPORT MAGISTRATES AND COMPENSATION COMMISSIONERS SPOUSE RETIREMENTS Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Spouse Retirements. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

16. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES FUND PERSONNEL EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2012 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Fund Personnel Expenses for the month of November 2012. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

17. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES FUND PERSONNEL EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Fund Personnel Expenses for the month of December 2012. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

18. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION MANAGEMENT TRUSTEES PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Management Trustees Per Diem and Travel Expenses Reimbursements. All voted in favor Mr. Baus abstained
Unanimous Decision

19. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIRMENT COMMISSION UNION TRUSTEES PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustees Per Diem and Travel Expenses Reimbursements. All voted in favor Mr. Poulin abstained
Unanimous Decision

20. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE PROBATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR'S REQUEST TO TRANSFER $335,000 IN ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 TO THE PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Probate Court Administrator'S Request to Transfer $335,000 in additional contributions for fiscal year 2013 to the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision

21. REQUEST THE COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ACTUARIAL SUBCOMMITTEE TO EXPEND $3,000-$4,000 SPECIFIC TO THE JFSMCCRS MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO RETAIN A NORMAL GRANDFATHERED RETIREMENT DATE Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Baus to approve the recommendation of the Actuarial Subcommittee to expend $3,000 - $4,000 specific to the JFSMCCRS Members eligible to retain a normal grandfathered retirement date. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

22. REQUEST COMMISSION CONSIDERATION OF THE LETTER FROM ATTORNEY JEFFREY MOGAN REQUESTING AN OPINION REGARDING CMERS CHANGE Ms. Yelmini moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano that a letter be prepared as soon as possible to Attorney Jeffrey Mogen regarding his request. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

23. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LEGAL AND PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER THAT WE RECOMMEND NO CHANGE IN CURRENT PRACTICE REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CMERS DISABILITY AND REEMPLOYMENT STATUTORY PROVISION. CONSISTENT WITH OUR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO REVIEW THE STATUTORY LANGUAGE AND PROMULGATE REGULATIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Ms.Yelmini moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to table this item until the Commission meeting next month. In the interim the Comptroller'S General Counsel, Ms. Braswell will provide two recommendations for statutory changes and forward them to the members of the Commission for review and action. In addition, the Retirement Services Division will prepare a listing of all MERS Disability claims that were denied post 2011 to be reviewed by the Commission at the next meeting. If the disability file does not contain a letter from the town of any gainful employment for the member the Retirement Services Division will contact the town requesting said letter. All voted in favor

Unanimous Decision

EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSION ON ITEMS #24, 25, 26 AND 27.

At 10:29 a.m. a motion was made by Mr. McLellan and seconded by Mr. Greatorex that the Commission go into Executive Session. Ms. Halpin was asked to stay. All voted in favor.

24. REQUEST COMMISSION CONSIDERATION CONCERNING THE BOUCHARD MATTER

25. COMMUNICATION FROM COMMISSION'S ATTORNEY BARTH AT ROBINSON AND COLE CONCERNING IRS MATTER

26. COMMUNICATION FROM COMMISSION'S ATTORNEY AT ICE MILLER CONCERNING IRS MATTERS

27. REQUEST COMMISSION REVIEW OF THE PETITION FOR DECLARATORY RULING FOR DAREK MASSALSKI

A motion was made by Mr. Greatorex and seconded by Mr. Poulin to come out of Executive Session at 10:48 a.m. All voted in favor.

There were no motions made and nothing to report out during Executive Session.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:58 a.m.

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