Retirement Division February 15, 2018 Minutes of Meeting State Employees Retirement Commission Amended

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the "Commission") was held on February 15, 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 9:12 a.m.

Chairman's Report

There was no chairman's report.

Division Director's Report
Disability Retirements  

Pending Disability Applications as of    11/2017    12/2017    1/2018    2/2018
Pending Applications    416    384    373    362
Applications preliminary reviewed    168    156    140    112
Applications waiting for documentation    248    228    233    250
Applications scheduled    67    68    92    101
Total Pending    483    452    465    463
 
Number of Applications Received    9    11    6    19
Number of Applications on the Agenda    19    18    21    24
Number of Application Approved    9    10    15    16
24-Month Review Cases             
On the list for 24-Month Review (Past and Future)    294    288    238    251
Collecting SSD    60    60    35    50
Part of the Backlog    24    22    0    5
Not Collecting SSD    234    228    203    201
Part of the Backlog    160    164    112    106
MEB Scheduled    24    27    7    18
 
ARP to Hybrid Retirements             
Retirees    0    0    0    0
Prospective    0    0    0    0
Transfer    5    5    5    5
Waiver    0    0    0    0
Total    5    5    5    5
 
Audited and sent invoices    4    42    11    5
Total Outstanding to be audited    522    485    476    476
 
Retirees       508    509    519
Prospective       5    5    5
Transfer       1473    1478    1475
Waiver       9    9    9
Total       1995    2001    2008
 
Retirements Processed    99    94    164    148
Regular    79    77    144    0
Voluntary Pending    5    2    7    4
New Disability    7    5    7    10
Disability Finalized    8    7    6    7

Mr. Herrington gave an overview of the areas that the Division continues to work on. In addition to finalizing RFPs for actuarial services and working to perfect the call center there are four major areas that the Division is focusing on. The Division is finalizing a plan by using the existing resources to leverage the new technology to advance the pension module. The Division also continues to focus on the implementation of the SAG award and updating the SAG award, ARP and Hybrid estimators. The Division is finalizing the Tier 4 changes to address the catch-up for the defined benefit piece and working through the implementation of the defined contribution piece. Lastly, the Division is finalizing the MERS rates.

Deputy Comptroller Carlson gave an update on the pension module. The Division continues to work with a few Accenture staff to code the new Tier 4 in regards to the 401K piece. However in regards to the full pension module the Accenture team has fully rolled off and the warranty has ended.

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the January 18, 2018 minutes.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the January 18, 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 January 18, 2018 minutes.
 
2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey 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 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?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?s Claude Poulin Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
 
4. Request Commission Acceptance of the February 2018 Invoices from Rose Kallor.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the billing 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 approve the State Employees Retirement Commission February 2018 invoices from Rose Kallor.
 
5. Request Commission Acceptance of the February 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the 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 approve the State Employees Retirement Commission February 2018 billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.
 
6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of January 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 January 2018.
 
7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of January 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 January 2018.
 
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of January 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 January 2018.
 
9. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of January 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 January 2018.
 
10. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Approval of Continued Entitlement.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Acceptance of Continued Entitlement.
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 Acceptance of Continued Entitlement.
 
11. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Denial of Continued Entitlement.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Denial of Continued Entitlement.
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 Denial of Continued Entitlement.
 
12. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey 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 Denied by the Medical Examining Board.
 
13. Request Commission Approval of the Retirement Services Division Request To Discontinue The Disability Applications Due To The One Year Deadline Associated With The Right To Ask For A Reconsideration Of The Medical Examining Board Denial.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Retirement Services Division Request to Discontinue the Disability Applications Due to the One Year Deadline Associated with the Right to ask for a Reconsideration of the Medical Examining Board Denial.
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 Discontinue the Disability Applications Due to the One Year Deadline Associated with the Right to ask for a Reconsideration of the Medical Examining Board Denial.

14. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
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 February 2018.
 
15. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
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 Spouse Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
16. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period December 8, 2017 Through January 4, 2018.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period December 8, 2017 Through January 4, 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 December 8, 2017 Through January 4, 2018.
 
17. David Dalpe Freedom of Information Request ? For Discussion.
i. At 9:37, Mr. Luciano explained to the Commission that Mr. Dalpe was looking for the Retirement Commission meeting minutes that discussed when the 415 date was determined by the Commission. Attorney Braswell explained that Mr. Dalpe was in receipt of that information and there was another FOI request that he made asking for the invoices from Robinson and Cole for Attorney Barth.
ii. Mr. Dalpe?s second FOI request was discussed and it was found that the Commission if the Commission provided that information to Mr. Dalpe that it would be heavily redacted to protect attorney client privilege.
 
18. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations of its Actuarial Subcommittee to accept the Request for Proposals for the (1) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services for the State Employees Retirement System, the Judges, Family Support Magistrates, and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System and the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System; (2) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services Municipal Employees Retirement System Policemen and Firemen Survivor?s Benefit Fund and (3) Accounting Services to Complete GASB 68 Compliance Audit rendered on February 14, 2018.
i. At 9:49 a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the Recommendations of its Actuarial Subcommittee to accept the Request for Proposals for the (1) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services for the State Employees Retirement System, the Judges, Family Support Magistrates, and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System and the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System; (2) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services Municipal Employees Retirement System Policemen and Firemen Survivor?s Benefit Fund and (3) Accounting Services to Complete GASB 68 Compliance Audit rendered on February 14, 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 Recommendations of its Actuarial Subcommittee to accept the Request for Proposals for the (1) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services for the State Employees Retirement System, the Judges, Family Support Magistrates, and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System and the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System; (2) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services Municipal Employees Retirement System Policemen and Firemen Survivor?s Benefit Fund and (3) Accounting Services to Complete GASB 68 Compliance Audit rendered on February 14, 2018.

Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into executive session at 9:46 a.m. Mr. Harrington, Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.

Executive Session

1. SAG Award Update - written legal opinion - discussion.
2. Debbie Sullivan appeal of MEB decision - written legal opinion and possible action.
3. Thompson - pending litigation - discussion.
4. Carol Walenski - pending litigation - discussion.
5. David Carter - pending litigation - discussion.
6. Bouchard - pending litigation - discussion.
7. Ronald Johnson - pending litigation - discussion.
8. Gary Soracchi - pending litigation - discussion.

Public Session

At 10:22 a.m., Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella for the full Commission to accept the recommendations of the legal and personnel subcommittee in the Sullivan matter to remand the matter back to the MEB with direction to consider the combined effects of the applicant to determine whether she was disabled under the statutory definitions at the time of her retirement.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to adjourn at 10:23 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Respectfully Submitted by:
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Peter Adomeit, Chairman

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Prepared by John Herrington
Director Retirement Service Division

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