Retirement Division December 15, 2016 Minutes of Meeting Retirement Commission

DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the ?Commission?) was held on December 15, 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 9:16 a.m.

B. Chairman?s Report:
Chairman Adomeit thanked the commission trustees for their hard work this year.

C. Division Director?s Report

The December retirement payroll will be closing tomorrow however we have 9 Hybrid retirements and approximately 113 regular retirements.

For the ARP to Hybrid transfers there are a total of 1,908 further details to be provided next month.

Updated information on the Audit Backlog:

Total backlog    15,964
Disabilities    (2,272)
Hybrid    (312)
Vested Rights    (1,466)
Alt Payees    (181)
Total    11,733

   Retirees   Retirees      
   Finalized    Finalized    Approximate  
   Automated    Manually    Remaining  
         11,733  
August -16    1,522    42    10,169  
September -16    1,168    92    8,909  
October - 16    983    165    7,761  
November - 16    997    38    6,726  
December - 16    994       5,732 (not final count)
January - 17            
Total    5,664    337      

Deputy Comptroller Carlson gave an overview of the pension module?s progress. The consultants continue to transfer their knowledge to the division staff. As of December 5th, Core CT is now the system of record and CATER is only being used for historical data. Early next year, we are looking to launch electronic benefits and convert MERS payroll. Currently, we are on track for the June competition date. Attorney Barth inquired if the 415 limit will be built in and Deputy Comptroller Carlson responded that it would be built in. The Division is still on track for completing 1000 finalizations every month. Disability retirements will be automated last due to their complicated nature. As the finalization process is going along code is being added to correct new circumstances. Some finalizations will always be done manually for example, governors, because they are a small amount.

D. New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the November 17, 2016 Minutes.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the November 17, 2016 minutes.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion.
iii. Mr. Cosgrove pointed out that the November minutes showed Mr. Fortier as being absent when he was in attendance for the November meeting.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously, with that change, in favor to approve the November 17, 2016 minutes.
 
2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso- Egan 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?s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso- Eagan 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 Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
 
4. Request Commission Approval of the Parking Expense Reimbursement of Trustee Charles Casella.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso- Eagan 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.
 
5. Request Commission Acceptance of the November 2016 Billing from Robinson and Cole.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso- Egan to approve the billing from Robinson and Cole.
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 November 2016 billing from Robinson and Cole.
 
6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
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 November 2016.
 
7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
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 November 2016.
 
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso- Eagan to approve Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
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 Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
 
9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
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 Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of November 2016.
 
10. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin 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 in favor to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements.
 
11. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirement Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements approved by the Medical Examining Board.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion.
iii. Mr. Carey pointed out that the doctor that was shown as voting on the MEB case was not listed in attendance.
iv. Mr. Carey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to table the approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirement Approved by the Medical Examining Board until the January Commission meeting.
v. The Commission voted unanimously to table the approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements approved by the Medical Examining Board until the January meeting.
 
12. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirement Application Denials.
i. Mr. Carey pointed out that the doctor that was shown as voting on the MEB case was not listed in attendance.
ii. Mr. Carey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to table the approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirement Application Denials by the Medical Examining Board until the January Commission meeting.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to table the approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Application Denials by the Medical Examining Board until the January meeting.
 
13. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Retirements for the month of December 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for December 2016.
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 Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Retirements for the month of December 2016.
 
14. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for the month of December 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for December 2016.
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 System Retirements for December 2016.
 
15. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period October 14, 2016 Through November 10, 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period October 14, 2016 Through November 10, 2016.
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 October 14, 2016 Through November 10, 2016.
 
16. Request Commission Approval Of The Recommendation Of The Investment Subcommittees Decision To Eliminate The Vanguard Target Date Funds From The Investment Line Up For The Alternate Retiree Program And Mapping Strategy.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Recommendation of the Investment Subcommittees Decision to Eliminate The Vanguard Target Date Funds From The Investment Line Up for the Alternate Retiree Program And Mapping Strategy.
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 Recommendation of the Investment Subcommittees Decision to Eliminate The Vanguard Target Date Funds From The Investment Line Up for the Alternate Retiree Program And Mapping Strategy.

17. Request Received From Archie Robertson For The Commission To Review And Reconsider Its August 18, 2011 Denial Of His Request That His Application Disability Retirement Go Back Before The Medical Examining Board.
i. Mr. Robertson appeared before the Commission requesting that he be allowed to go back before the MEB for a third time.
ii. After some discussion.
iii. Ms. Grasso-Egan moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve Mr. Robertson?s request to go back before the Medical Examining Board at the next available meeting.
iv. Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
v. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve Mr. Robertson?s request to go back before the Medical Examining Board at the next available meeting.

Executive Session

Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to go into executive session at 9:42 a.m. Ms. Halpin, Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Rose, Attorney Cieslak, Attorney Barth and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.

1. Gleason - written legal opinion - discussion and action.
2. Thompson - pending litigation - update.
3. Baldino - written legal opinion - discussion.
4. CMERS reemployment: review possible legislative and regulatory changes to Conn. Gen. Stat. ? 7-438 - written legal opinion - discussion and action.
5. Carfora - written legal opinion - discussion and action.
6. Carter - pending claim - update.
7. Krawiec - pending litigation - update.
8. Bouchard - pending litigation - update
9. Phillips - pending litigation - update.
10. Maturo- pending litigation - update.
11. Walenski - pending litigation - update.
12. Feliciano - pending litigation - update.

Public Session

1. Gleason - Action on petitioner?s appeal and recommendation to authorize Gleason to collect a CMERS retirement benefit while employed by the City of Milford.
2. CMERS reemployment: Action to authorize drafting of proposed legislative and regulatory changes to Conn. Gen. Stat. ? 7-438.
3. Carfora - Action on recommendation to recoup CMERS benefits paid for January 2016 through June 2016.
 
i. At 11:48 a.m. Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the Legal and Personnel subcommittee to draft Gen. Stat. ? 7-438 to recommend to the Commission that it review C.G.S. Section 7-438 and make recommendations for possible legislative changes and/or regulations pertaining thereto. All voted in favor. Ms. Grasso-Eagan asked if there could be a workshop that could be put to together to orient the Commission to the legislation. Mr. Rose said that he will be putting a workshop together.
ii. At 11:50 a.m. Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to recommend to the Commission that it instruct the division to recoup CMERS payments from Mr. Carfora that were made to him during the period beginning January 1 through June, 2016 which is the time of his employment with the East Haven Board of Education. All voted in favor.
iii. At 11:51 a.m. Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to recommend to the Commission that it consider a sua sponte declaratory ruling on the issue of withdrawals from CMERS participation as exemplified in the Thompson matter. All voted in favor.
iv. No further motions were made regarding the other Executive Session items.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to adjourn at 11:52 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

 

Respectfully Submitted by:

__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

___________________________________
Prepared by Brenda K. Halpin
Director Retirement Service Division
 

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