DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the �Commission�) was held on August 15, 2019, in the 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: 

• Peter Adomeit, Chairman
• Janet Andrews, Trustee
• Michael Bailey, Trustee
• Sandra Fae Brown Brewton, Trustee
• Michael Carey, Trustee
• Charles Casella, Trustee
• Carl Chisem, Trustee
• Robert D. Coffey, Trustee
• Claude Poulin, Trustee
• Laurie Martin, Ex Officio Member

The following members of the Commission were absent:

• Janet Andrews, Trustee
• Karen Buffkin, Trustee
• Paul Fortier, Trustee
• Sal Luciano, Trustee
• Karen Nolen, Trustee
• Angel Quiros, Trustee Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller & Interim Director of Retirement Services, Ex Officio Member

Also present were:

• Bruce Barth, Robinson & Cole
• Natalie Braswell, Retirement Services Division
• Cindy Cieslak, General Counsel to the Commission Rose Kallor
• Ralph Effrid, Post Reporting
• John Garrett, Cavanaugh Macdonald Consulting, LLC
• Colin Newman, Retirement Services Division
• Michael Rose, General Counsel to the Commission Rose Kallor
• Alisha Sullivan, Robinson & Cole

Call to Order 

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

Chairman�s Report 

At 9:08 a.m., the Chairman provided his report. 

At 9:09 a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey, to amend the agenda to add four recommendations from the Actuarial Subcommittee to the agenda as follows: 

1. Request Commission Acceptance of the revised GASB Statement No. 68 Report for the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System prepared as of June 3, 2018 and revised as of July 31, 2019.

2. Request Commission Acceptance of the GASB Audit Report for the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System dated August 9, 2019 for June 30, 2018.

3. Request Commission Approval to update SERS option factors for all optional forms of retirement benefits in accordance with the Actuarial recommendation for implementation as of January 1, 2020.

4. Request Commission approval to update CMERS option factors for all optional forms of retirement benefits in accordance with Actuarial recommendation for implementation as of January 1, 2020.

The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to amend the agenda to include the four items. 

Division Director�s Report 

At 9:10 a.m., Mr. Newman provided the Division Director's Report.  

Division Director Report (8/15/2019) 

I. Disability Retirements 

A. Pending Disability Applications for the Initial Review by the Medical Examining Board: The Division continues to analyze the 10 dates that have been scheduled for MEB meetings for the remainder of 2019 in an attempt to add more initial application type meeting so as to reduce the wait period. 

•  There are a total of 366 Disability Retirement Applications pending of which:
  • 177 Applications have been scheduled for meetings into January 2020
  •  189 Applications are awaiting additional medical documentation

B. Twenty-Four Month Reviews

•  270 Cases are due for a 24 month review.
  •  43 Cases - Retiree is receiving SSD benefits (Expedited Approval Process)
    • 10 have retirement dates that are beyond 24 months old.
•  227 Cases - Retiree does not appear to be receiving SSD benefits.
  •  119 have retirement dates beyond 24 months old.
    •  26 have been scheduled on the next 24 month review meeting.

C. Disability Files Processed

•  10 Voluntary Pending
•  31 Approved Disability Applications of which
  •  21 Applications were new to payroll
  •  10 Applications were changed from Voluntary Pending to Disability.
•  32 Applications were finalized and sent to I & R.

D. Disability Backlog : As of today�s date of the August Retirement Commission meeting there are approximately 1958 disability retirement applications that have yet to be finalized.  1789 are disability retirements applications with a retirement date that is pre-July 1, 2016.  The remaining 169 application are from July 1, 2016 through the present.

II. Normal Retirement Audits: 

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the July 18, 2019 minutes.

i.  At 9:12 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the July 18, 2019 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 July 18, 2019 minutes.

2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman�s Per Diem Expenses.

i.  At 9:13 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton 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 Parking Expense Reimbursement of Trustee Charles Casella.

i.  At 9:13 a.m., Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the parking expense reimbursement of Trustee Charles Casella.
ii.  Mr. Casella 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. Casella abstaining, to approve the Parking Expense Reimbursement of Trustee Charles Casella.

4. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee Claude Poulin�s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

i.  At 9:14 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee Claude Poulin�s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
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 Claude Poulin�s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

5. Request Commission Acceptance of the July 2019 Billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.

i.  At 9:14 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey to accept the July 2019 billing from Robinson and 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 July 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.

6. Request Commission Acceptance of Invoices from Rose Kallor rendered for the month of July.

.  At 9:14 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Bailey to accept the invoices from Rose Kallor rendered for the month of July.
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 rendered for the month of July.

7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of July 2019. 

i.  At 9:14 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of July 2019
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 July 2019.

8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of July 2019. 

i.  At 9:14 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of July 2019.
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 July 2019.

9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of July 2019.

i.  At 9:14 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of July 2019.
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 July 2019.

10.  Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Municipal Employees Retirements for the Month of July 2019.

i.  At 9:15 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Municipal Employees Retirements for the Month of July 2019.
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 Municipal Retirements for the Month of July 2019.

11.  Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Tabled and Denied by the Medical Examining Board.

i.  At 9:15 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Tabled and Denied 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 Tabled and Denied by the Medical Examining Board.

12.  Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut Probate, Judges and Employees Retirement System.

i.  At 9:15 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Connecticut Probate, Judges and Employees Retirement System.
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 Probate, Judges and Employees Retirement System.

13.  Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System.

i.  At 9:15 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System.
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 Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System.

14.  Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period June 7, 2019 through July 4, 2019.

i.  At 9:15 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period June 7, 2019 through July 4, 2019.
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 June 7, 2019 through July 4, 2019.

15.  Request Commission Acceptance of the revised GASB Statement No. 68 Report for the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System prepared as of June 3, 2018 and revised as of July 31, 2019.

i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the revised GASB Statement No. 68 Report for the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System prepared as of June 3, 2018 and revised as of July 31, 2019.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. John Garrett explained the reason for the revision.
iii. Following the discussion, the Chairman called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the revised GASB Statement No. 68 Report for the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System prepared as of June 3, 2018 and revised as of July 31, 2019.

16.  Request Commission Acceptance of the GASB Audit Report for the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System dated August 9, 2019 for June 30, 2018.

i. At 9:20 a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the GASB Audit Report for the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System dated August 9, 2019 for June 30, 2018.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. John Garrett provided comments.
iii. Following the discussion, the Chairman called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to the GASB Audit Report for the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System dated August 9, 2019 for June 30, 2018.

17.  Request Commission Approval to update SERS option factors for all optional forms of retirement benefits in accordance with the Actuarial recommendation for implementation as of January 1, 2020.

i. At 9:21 a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to update SERS option factors for all optional forms of retirement benefits in accordance with the Actuarial recommendation for implementation as of January 1, 2020.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. John Garrett provided an explanation.
iii. Following the discussion, the Chairman called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to update SERS option factors for all optional forms of retirement benefits in accordance with the Actuarial recommendation for implementation as of January 1, 2020.

18.  Request Commission approval to update CMERS option factors for all optional forms of retirement benefits in accordance with Actuarial recommendation for implementation as of January 1, 2020.

i. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to update CMERS option factors for all optional forms of retirement benefits in accordance with Actuarial recommendation for implementation as of January 1, 2020.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. John Garrett provided an explanation.
iii. Following the discussion, the Chairman called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to update CMERS option factors for all optional forms of retirement benefits in accordance with Actuarial recommendation for implementation as of January 1, 2020.

19.  Request Received from Linda Guzzo that the Commission Review and Reconsider its August 16, 2016 Denial of her Request to Transfer her SERS Membership from Tier II to Tier I, Plan B after the October 1, 1985 Deadline.

i.  At 9:30 a.m., Ms. Guzzo appeared before the Commission and informed the Chairman that her attorney was unable to attend today.
ii.  At 9:37 a.m., Ms. Brown Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to continue Mr. Guzzo�s request to the September 2019 meeting due to illness and absence of Mr. Guzzo�s attorney.
iii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to continue Mr. Guzzo�s request to the September 2019 meeting due to illness and absence of Mr. Guzzo�s attorney.

Executive Session - Discussion and Possible Action

1. Town of Thompson - pending litigation.
2. Ronald Johnson - pending litigation.
3. Catherin Crandle - pending litigation.
4. David Carter/Richard Kay - pending litigation. 

At 9:38 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to suspend the regular meeting and go into executive session for the purposes of discussing Item 1. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Garrett, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session to discuss Item 1. 

At 9:51 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.

At 9:51 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 2.  Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Garrett, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session to discuss Item 2. 

At 9:59 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.

At 9:59 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 3.  Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session to discuss Item 3. 

At 9:59 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session.

At 10:00 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 4.  Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, Colin Newman, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to enter executive session to discuss Item 4. 

At 10:00 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to exit executive session. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to exit executive session. 

No motions were made regarding the items discussed in executive session.

Adjournment 

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to adjourn at 10:00 a.m.  The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.  

Respectfully Submitted by: 

__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

___________________________________
Prepared by John Herrington
Director Retirement Service Division

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