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MINUTES OF MEETING
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION
OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER
55 ELM STREET
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106
May 19, 2011
TRUSTEES PRESENT
Peter Blum, Chair
Charles Casella
Claude Poulin
Michael Carey
Linda Yelmini
Sal Luciano
Bob Coffey
Ronald McLellan
James Dzurenda
Thomas Culley
Bob Baus
Paul Fortier
TRUSTEES ABSENT
Steve Greatorex
Fae Brown-Brewton
MUNICIPAL LIAISON
Thomas Landry
OTHERS PRESENT
Jeanne Kopek, Director, Retirement Services
Helen Kemp, Asst. Director and Division Attorney, Retirement Services
Natalie Braswell, Counsel to the State Comptroller
Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller
Peggy Gray, Executive Asst., Retirement
Services
GUESTS
George Spurlock, CEIU
Paul Knierim, Probate Court Administrator
Bonnie Bennet, Attorney for the Probate Court Administration
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:07 AM.
DIVISION DIRECTOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
The Probate Court Administrator wrote to the Commission about two separate issues in one letter. One issue required the review of the Actuarial Subcommittee and is addressed in item #15; the other issue is addressed in item #21. The Administrator is scheduled to appear before the Commission at 9:30 a.m. and can respond to any questions concerning both items.
You have before you a copy of a letter that is going out to all retirees participating in directed deposit concerning their receipt of monthly paper advice statements. By sending out paper advice statements only at the end of December, or when there is a payroll change, such as a retiree's receipt of a cost of living adjustment, the Comptroller's office can save approximately $15,000 each month. Retirees will have the option to be exempted from this cost-saving measure by completing the section at the bottom of the letter.
It was agreed by consensus of the Commission to provide the letter on Comptroller stationary versus Division stationary.
Following the close of the April 2011 Retirement payroll, the current backlog of unfinalized retirement records is approximately 11,280. The Division processed 134 new retirees to the payroll, 129 normal, and 5 disabilities. Finalizations for the month were 66.
Pending Disability applications as of April 30, 2011 are 55 pending, 275 waiting for documentation and 160 applications scheduled for upcoming meetings. For the month of April 18 applications were received. There was no MEB meeting in April therefore no applications were approved. We are currently scheduling for December 2011, but that can change with additional doctors scheduled to join the MEB. Three applications have been forwarded to the Governor's Office for appointment to the Board.
NEW MATTERS
1. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 17, 2011 MINUTES Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the minutes of March 17, 2011 as amended. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
2. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN'S PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS Mr. Cosgrove moved, seconded by Mr. Baus to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman's Per Diem and Travel Expenses Reimbursements. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
3. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM SERVICE RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2011 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the month of April 2011. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
4. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEMS VOLUNTARY PENDING DISABILITY RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2011 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the State Employees Retirement Systems Voluntary Pending Disability Retirements for the month of April 2011. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
5. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM DISABILITY RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2011 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the State Employees Retirment System Disability Retirements for the month of April 2011. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
6. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETROACTIVE RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2011 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the State Employees Retirement System Retroactive Retirements for the month of April 2011. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
7. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM SERVICE RETIREMENTS FOR APRIL 2011 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for April 2011. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
8. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE JUDGES, FAMILY SUPPORT MAGISTRATES AND COMPENSATION COMMISSIONERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS FOR APRIL 2011 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Retirements for April 2011. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
9. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
10. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT FUND PERSONAL EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2011Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personal Expenses for the month of March 2011. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
11.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE CONNECTICUT PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT FUND PERSONAL EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2011 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Culley to approve the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personal Expenses for the month of April 2011. All voted in favor Unanimous Decision
12.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION MANAGEMENT TRUSTEE'S PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS.Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Management Trustees's Per Diem and Travel Expenses. All voted in favor, Mr Baus abstained
Majority Decision
13.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION UNION TRUSTEE'S PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee's Per Diem and Travel Expenses. All voted in favor, Mr. Poulin abstained
Majority Decision
14.REQUEST COMMISSION ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT FUND B STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini to accept the Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B Statement of Operations for the year ending December 31, 2010. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
15.REQUEST COMMISSION ACCEPTANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ACTUARIAL SUBCOMMITTEE CONCERNING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini to accept the recommendation of the Actuarial Subcommittee concerning contributions to the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
16.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TOWN OF WESTPORT TO EXTEND MEDICATE (HI) ONLY COVERAGE TO CERTAIN MEMBERS IN FIREFIGHTER, POLICE OFFICER AND PUBLIC WORKS POSITIONS HIRED PRIOR TO APRIL 1, 1986 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini to approve the application of the Town of Westport to extend Medicare ((HI) only coverage to certain members in firefighter, police officer and public works positions hired prior to April 1, 1986. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
17.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION OF THE CITY OF WEST HAVEN TO EXTEND SOCIAL SECURITY COVERAGE TO CERTAIN MEMBERS IN POLICE POSITIONS HIRED SINCE NOVEMBER 1, 2009 Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the application of the Town of West Haven to extend social sercurity coverage to certain members in police officer positions hired since November 1, 2009. Ms. Yelmini, Mr. Cosgrove, Mr. McLellan, Mr. Casella, Mr. Poulin, Mr. Baus, Mr. Coffey, Mr. Dzurenda, Mr. Culley, Mr. Carey voted in favor. Mr. Luciano voted against the motion.
Majority Decision
18. REQUEST COMMISSION ACCEPTANCE OF THE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT FUND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR CALENDAR YEAR DECEMBER 31, 2010 Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini to accept the Municipal Employees Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for calendar year December 31, 2010. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
19.REQUEST COMMISSION DIRECTION WITH REGARD TO INDIVIDUAL AND SITUATION REGARDING "GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT" AND MERS DISABILITY RETIREMENT Ms. Yelmini moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to instruct the Division to notify the individual that he had to choose between his employment and the continuance of a MERS disability retirement benefit and furthermore to inform him that due to his employment, he had been overpaid in his MERS disability benefit since October 1, 2010 and had to repay MERS this amount. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
20.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF REQUEST TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER RELATIVE TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Connecticut Heath Center relative to the Medical Examining Board for Disability Retirement.
After discussion, it was confirmed that the vote was to approve an MOU between the Commission and the University of Connecticut Heath Center with costs associated with the MOU paid from the retirement fund.
Mr. Fortier voted Yes
Mr. Luciano, Ms. Yelmini, Mr. Cosgrove, Mr. Poulin, Mr. Baus, Mr. Carey, Mr. Coffey, Mr. Dzurenda, Mr. Culley, Mr. McLellan and Mr. Casella voted No
Majority Opposed/ Motion fails
21.REQUEST COMMISSION POLICY DECISION IN CONNECTION WITH PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM PROVISION FOR TEMPORARY REEMPLOYMENT AFTER RETIREMENT Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to approve 630 hours as equivalent to 90 days for the temporary reemployment of retired Probate Judges and employees under the provisions of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
TABLED ITEM
REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF REQUEST TO INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WITH REGARD TO A PRIVATE LETTER RULING FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPLEMENTING THE SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 SEBAC PENSION GRIEVANCE AWARD Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini to table until the June 16, 2011 meeting. All voted in favor
Unanimous Decision
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 AM
All voted in favor, meeting adjourned at 10:50
_____________________
Peter R. Blum, Chair
___________________________
Jeanne Kopek, Director, Retirement Services
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