Retirement Division April 21, 2016 Minutes of Meeting Retirement Commission

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the "Commission") was held on April 21, 2016, 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:

A. Call to Order
Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:10 am
 
B. Chairman?s Report:
 
There was no chairman?s report.
 
C. Division Director?s Report

For the April retirement payroll we had 366 new retirees (344 normal, 8 disabilities, 11 voluntary pending and 3 Hybrid). There were 4 disabilities and 4 normal retirements finalized for the month.

On the ARP to Hybrid transfers there are 365 retirees, 1,489 transfers, 9 waivers and 4 prospective for a total of 1,872. We were able to process 7 transfers this month and the outstanding number to be audited and processed is 658.

Pending Disability Applications as of March 31, 2016

Pending Applications:    274
applications preliminarily reviewed (96)
applications waiting for documentation (178)
Applications scheduled for upcoming MEB meetings:    57
Total Pending:    331
For the month of March
Number of Applications Received    27
Number of Applications on Agenda    21
Number of Applications Approved    16

The next available meeting for scheduling is June 2016.

Update on the 2015 MERS Re-employment survey - the Division has fifteen members that have not contacted our office. The Division investigator is researching the status of members with various agencies to determine if they are still living.

The Division in the process of mailing out the third and final request for the 2016 MERS Re-employment Survey. A copy of the analysis is attached for your review.

Update on the 24 month reviews, the Division had a back log of 593- 290 were members on Social Security Disability leaving 303 to be scheduled, and 100 letters were mailed to the members that need to go before the Medical Examining Board (MEB) and the remainder will be sent out by the end of this month. As the responses are received in the file will be forwarded to the MEB. The SERS Annual Disability Survey will be going out in May.

Copies of current pending legislation related to the Retirement Commission have also been distributed for your review.

Mr. Luciano made a motion to amend the agenda to add the City of Bridgeport on the agenda. Mr. Greatorex seconded the motion. Mr. Luciano was then asked by Chairman Adomeit where he thought the placement should. It was decided that they would be heard from prior to new matters.

D. New Matters
1. Request Commission Approval of March 17, 2016 Minutes.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the March 17, 2016 minutes.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was no discussion.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the March 17, 2016 minutes.
 
2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex 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 to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
 
3. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex 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 to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
 
4. Request Commission Review of the March 2016 Billing from Robinson & Cole.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the billing from Robinson & Cole.
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 State Employees Retirement Commission March 2016 billing from Robinson & Cole.
 
5. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
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 Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
 
6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
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 Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of March 2016
 
7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
 
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
 
9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Pre- Retirement Death Benefit Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve Connecticut State Employees System Pre-Retirement Death Benefit Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to approve Connecticut State Employees System Pre-Retirement Death Benefit Retirements for the Month of March 2016.
 
10. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements.
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 Municipal Retirement System Retirements.
 
11. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements.
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 Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements.
 
12. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Retirements for the month of April 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Judges, Family Support magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Retirements for April 2016.
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 Retirements April 2016.
 
13. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for the month of April 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for April 2016.
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 Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for April 2016.
 
14. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period February 5, 2016 Through March 3, 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period February 5, 2016 Through March 3, 2016.
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 Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period February 5, 2016 Through March 3, 2016.
 
15. Update on the Thompson- Attorney Cieslak told the Commission that a motion to dismiss had been filed and a declaratory motion was made but was not returned to court. At this point, there is nothing going on with the Thompson case.
 
16. Update on the 2016 MERS Reemployment Surveys and schedule for the Hearings.- Ms. Halpin reported on the 2016 MERS Surveys in the Division Director?s report. Chairman Adomeit told the Commission that the hearings will be scheduled for June 7th and June 9th. He also would like letters sent out to the people explaining to them if they work beyond the 90 days not only will their pension be suspended but they will also need to pay the funds back. Mr. Luciano inserted that in the letter he would like to make the people aware that they may have to pay interest in case the Commission decides to require that.
 
17. Written Update on the Internal Revenue Code Section 415 B and 401 (c) (17).
Bruce Barth explained the summary of the 415 limit and the 401 (a) (17) limit works and how it applies to SERS.

Executive Session

Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to go into executive session. Brenda Halpin, Colin Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Commission went into executive session at 10:32 a.m. to discuss the written update on the Internal Revenue Code Section 415 B and 401 (c) (17).

1. The Commission came out of executive session at 11:12 a.m. and made the following motions:
 
Mr. Poulin moved to send a letter to the General Assembly leadership outlining how the Bridgeport legislation affects the fund. Mr. Casella seconded the motion. Ms. Grasso-Egan abstained.

Whitman case. Update- no motion was made

Carver case. Update- no motion was made

1. Pine case
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to add this item to the May 2016 agenda.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to adding this item to the May 2016 agenda.

Brown case. Update- no motion was made

Workers Comp Benefit/attorneys? fees analysis update (Dingwell, Bangston, Miller). Written Legal Opinion. Discussion.

Adjournment
With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. McLellan to adjourn at 11:17 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Respectfully Submitted by:

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Peter Adomeit, Chairman


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Prepared by Brenda K. Halpin
Director Retirement Service Division

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