Retirement Division July 20, 2017 Minutes of Meeting State Employees Retirement Commission - Amended

DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the "Commission") was held on July 20, 2017, 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 9:11 a.m.
 
B. Chairman's Report:
The unions have approved the SEBAC agreement. The agreement will now be going to the legislature and if it passes we will be doing some work to incorporate the changes to the plan compilation.
 
C. Division Director's Report

The Division processed 339 retirements for the month of July. There are 313 regular retirements, 12 Hybrid retirements, 8 Voluntary Pending cases and 6 new disability retirements. The Disability Unit was able finalize 18 disability cases for July. The finalizations processed on the July payroll total 532 with another 217 finalizations pending in the payroll unit for future processing. The metrics for the finalizations for regular retirements is shown on the second page.

For the ARP to Hybrid transfers there are a total of 1956 with 465 retirees and 1477 transfers, 5 prospective and 9 waivers. We continue to work through the backlog of transfers with 535 remaining to be completed.

Pending Disability Applications as of June 30, 2017

Pending Applications:    428
Applications preliminarily reviewed (196)  
Applications waiting for documentation (232)  
Applications scheduled:    47
Total Pending:    475
FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE  
Number of Applications Received    26
Number of Applications on Agenda    17
Number of Applications Approved    8

The next available meeting for scheduling is September 2017.

24 month review cases:



Deputy Comptroller Carlson gave an overview of the pension module. The pension module continues to stabilize and we are using the calculator for the backlog and new retirements. The retiree portal should be up soon for retirees to view their payroll records and 1099Rs. It is being tested now and we are running various complicated retirement scenarios through it.

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the June 15, 2017 minutes.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve June 15, 2017 minutes.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion.
iii. There was discussion and the June 15, 2017 minutes were amended to reflect the changes made in the meeting.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the June 15, 2017 minutes as amended.
 
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 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. 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 in favor, with Mr. Poulin abstaining, to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
 
4. Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2017 Billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.
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 June 2017 billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.
 
5. Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2017 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex 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 June 2017 billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.
 
6. Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2017 Invoices from Ford Harrison.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the billing from Ford Harrison.
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 June 2017 billing from Ford Harrison.
 
7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
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 June 2017. 
 
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
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 June 2017.
 
9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
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 June 2017.
 
10. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
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 June 2017.
 
11. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of June 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of June 2017.
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 Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of June 2017.
 
12. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of June 2017.
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 June 2017.
 
13. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of June 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Municipal Retirement System Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of June 2017.
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 Preretirement Death Benefit for the month of June 2017.
 
14. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Acceptance of Continued Entitlement.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the acceptance 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 of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the acceptance Continued Entitlement.
 
15. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations By The Medical Examining Board for Denied/Tabled Disability Continued Entitlement.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for Denied/Tabled Disability Continued Entitlement.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion.
iii. Mr. Carey had some questions about how the MEB made a decision that an individual had never been disabled.
iv. After further discussion, the decision was made by the Commission to table item 15, until it was discussed in Executive Session.
v. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to table item 15 until after Executive Session.
vi. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to table item 15 until after Executive Session.
 
16. 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. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex approve 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.
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 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.
 
17. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for July 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for July 2017.
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 July 2017.
 
18. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for July 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for July 2017.
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 July 2017.
 
19. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period May 12, 2017 Through June 8, 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period May 12, 2017 Through June 8, 2017.
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 May 12, 2017 Through June 8, 2017.
 
20. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B Statement of Operations for the Calendar Year Ending December 31, 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B Statement of Operations for the Calendar Year Ending December 31, 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 Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B Statement of Operations for the Calendar Year Ending December 31, 2016.
 
21. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B Balance Sheet of Operations for the Calendar Year Ending December 31, 2016.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B Balance Sheet of Operations for the Calendar Year Ending December 31, 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 Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund B Balance Sheet of Operations for the Calendar Year Ending December 31, 2016.
 
22. Request Commission Acceptance of the Actuarial Subcommittee recommendations on the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System (PJERS) Roll Forward Report.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Actuarial Subcommittee recommendations on the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System (PJERS) Roll Forward Report.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion.
iii. Mr. Garrett explained that at the Actuarial subcommittee meeting the recommendations were to change the assumptions.
iv. At 9:39a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the recommendations of the Actuarial subcommittee regarding the rate of investment return, mortality rate, the inflation assumption and the ammortization period of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.
v. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to accept the Actuarial Subcommittee recommendations on the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System (PJERS) Roll Forward Report.

Before the Commission went into executive session Mr. Luciano wanted to make the Commission aware that he still receives calls from Mr. Dalpe, a SERS retiree, who like other retirees who were subject to the 415(b) limit are still waiting on an answer. Mr. Adomeit stated that he is working with the attorneys to resolve this issue and he will now provide a monthly update at the Commission meetings.

Executive Session

Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to go into executive session at 9:42 a.m to discuss item 1. Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.

1. Diaz Declaratory Ruling - pending claim - discussion and possible action.
Mr. Luciano motioned, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to discuss item 8. Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. Mr. Garrett was invited into executive session to explain actuarial calculations as it relates to Thompson.
2. Soracchi Petition for Declaratory Ruling ? pending claim ? discussion and possible action.
Mr. Luciano motioned, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to discuss item 3. Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.
3. MEB determinations regarding continued entitlement ? written legal opinion ? discussion and possible action.
Mr. Luciano motioned, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to discuss item 4. Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.
4. Maturo ? pending litigation ? discussion.
Mr. Luciano motioned, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to discuss item 5. Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.
5. Bouchard ? pending litigation ? discussion.
Mr. Luciano motioned, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to discuss item 6. Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.
6. Carter ? pending litigation ? discussion.
Mr. Luciano motioned, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to discuss item 7. Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.
7. Walenski ? pending litigation ? discussion.
8. Thompson ? pending litigation ? discussion.
John Garrett left before Mr. Luciano motioned and it was seconded by Mr. Greatorex to discuss item 2. Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.

At 10:20 a.m., the Commission exited executive session and made the following motions.

Public Session

At 10:20, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to approve the declaratory ruling for Ms. Diaz. The motion passed unanimously.
At 10:21, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to direct counsel to draft a declaratory ruling for Mr. Soracchi. The motion passed unanimously.
At 10:22, Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to accept the legal and personnel subcommittee?s recommendations, and to instruct the Division that, in cases of investigative review, when the MEB finds the person to no longer disabled, they should seek to terminate the benefit and recoup payment back to the date of the scheduled hearing. The motion passed unanimously.
At 10:23, Mr. Carey motioned, seconded by Mr. Luciano to take item 15 off the table. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to remove item 15 off the table.
At 10:23, Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano, that the Commission accept item 15 and further instruct the Division to terminate and recoup benefits as previously articulated in the motion just made. The motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex 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 Martha Carlson
Deputy Comptroller & Interim Director Retirement Service Division

 

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