Retirement Division April 19, 2018 Minutes of Meeting State Employees Retirement Commission

DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the ?Commission?) was held on April 19, 2018, in 7th Floor Conference Room at 55 Elm Street, Hartford Connecticut. The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. and the following members of the Commission were present:

The following members of the Commission were absent:

Also present were:

Call to Order

Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.

Chairman's Report

The Chairman congratulated Ms. Grasso-Eagan for being nominated by the governor to be a superior court judge.

Division Director's Report

The Division has diligently worked to reduce the backlog from 15,000 under 300 cases. Of the approximately 300 cases, some of the cases involve pending purchases, some of those cases are subject to the 415 limit, and the rest of those cases are ARP-Hybrid transfers involving encumbered funds and other SAG award issues. There are only a small amount of cases that have overpayments that the Division is trying to recoup.

Disability Retirements  
Pending Disability Applications as of    1/2018    2/2018    3/2018    4/2018
Pending Applications    373    362    358    337
Applications preliminary reviewed    140    112    112    92
Applications waiting for documentation    233    250    246    245
Applications scheduled    92    101    108    116
Total Pending    465    463    466    453
         
Number of Applications Received    6    19    16    18
Number of Applications on the Agenda    21    24    20    25
Number of Application Approved    15    16    11    15
        
24-Month Review Cases        
On the list for 24-Month Review (Past and Future)    238    251    229    222
Collecting SSD    35    50    47    58
Part of the Backlog    0    5    3    18
Not Collecting SSD    203    201    182    187
Part of the Backlog    112    106    103    117
MEB Scheduled    7    18    0    23
        
ARP to Hybrid Retirements        
Monthly        
Retirees    14    5    3    4
Prospective    0    0    0    0
Transfer    5    5    2    6
Waiver    0    0    0    0
Total    19    10    5    10
        
Audited and sent invoices    11    5    30    80
Total Outstanding to be audited    476    476    450    375
        
To date        
Retirees    509    519    522    538
Prospective    5    5    5    5
Transfer    1480    1475    1476    1465
Waiver    9    9    9    9
Total    2003    2008    2012    2017
        
Retirements in Audit        
Retirements Processed    164    169    156    212
Regular    144    148    132    185
Voluntary Pending    7    4    10    7
New Disability    7    10    4    8
Disability Finalized    6    7    10    12

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the March 15, 2018 minutes.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve March 15, 2018 minutes.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the March 15, 2018 minutes as amended.
 
2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
 
3. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee Claude Poulin Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?s Per Diem and Travel Expense.
ii. Mr. Poulin abstained.
iii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor, with Mr. Poulin abstaining, to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?s Claude Poulin Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

4. Request Commission Acceptance of the March 2018 Invoices from Rose Kallor.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the Invoices from Rose Kallor.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Invoices from Rose Kallor.
 
5. Request Commission Acceptance of the April 2018 Invoices from Rose Kallor.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the Invoices from Rose Kallor.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Invoices from Rose Kallor.

6. Request Commission Acceptance of the April 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the Billing from Robinson & Cole for federal tax matters.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Billing from Robinson & Cole for federal tax matters.
 
7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
i. At 9:30, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
 
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
 
9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of March 2018. .
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
 
10. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of March 2018. .
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
 
11. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of March 2018.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the March 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the month of March 2018.
 
12. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.
 
13. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Denials.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella tabled the acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Denials.

14. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.

15. Request Commission Approval of the Retirement Services Division Request to Abandon the Disability Applications Due to Failure to Provide the Proper Documentation in the Time Allotted.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Retirement Services Division Request to Abandon the Disability Applications Due to Failure to Provide the Proper Documentation in the Time Allotted.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Retirement Services Division Request to Abandon the Disability Applications Due to Failure to Provide the Proper Documentation in the Time Allotted.
 
16. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for April 2018. Benefits to be paid Monthly.
i. At 9:31, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for April 2018. Benefits to be paid Monthly.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for April 2018. Benefits to be paid Monthly.
 
17. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for April 2018. Benefits to be paid Semi-Monthly.
i. At 9:31, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for April 2018. Benefits to be paid Semi-Monthly.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System for April 2018. Benefits to be paid Semi-Monthly.

18. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period February 2, 2018 Through March 15, 2018.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay February 2, 2018 Through March 15, 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period February 2, 2018 Through March 15, 2018.
 
19. Request Commission Approval of Doctor Rita Ohen-Ad Jei to be a Member of the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve Doctor Rita Ohen-Ad Jei to be a Member of the Medical Examining Board.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve Doctor Rita Ohen-Ad Jei to be a Member of the Medical Examining Board.
 
20. Request Commission Approval of the Recommendations from the Regulations and Overpayment Subcommittee Meeting held on March 5, 2018.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Recommendations from the Regulations and Overpayment Subcommittee Meeting held on March 5, 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the Recommendations from the Regulations and Overpayment Subcommittee Meeting held on March 5, 2018.
 
21. Request Commission Acceptance of the Purchasing and Other Related Matters Subcommittee Recommendation from the Meeting held on March 29, 2018.
i. At 9:19, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the Purchasing and Other Related Matters Subcommittee Recommendation from the Meeting held on March 29, 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Purchasing and Other Related Matters Subcommittee

 Recommendation from the Meeting held on March 29, 2018

Executive Session
At 9:20, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to suspend the regular meeting and go into executive session for the purpose to discuss SAG Award Update and Implementation. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.

1. SAG Award Update/implementation - written legal opinion - discussion.
3. Thompson/CMERS-pending litigation - discussion.
4. Carol Walenski - pending litigation - discussion.
5. David Carter - pending litigation - discussion.
6. Ronald Johnson - pending litigation - discussion.
7. Candle, et al.- Petition for Declaratory Ruling

Public Session
No motions were made

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to adjourn at 9:25 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.


Respectfully Submitted by:
__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

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Prepared by John Herrington, Retirement Services Division Director

 

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