A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the �Commission�) was held on June 20, 2019, 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 9:03 a.m.
Chairman's Report
There was no Chairman's Report.
Division Director's Report
At 9:05 a.m., Mr. Herrington provided the Division Director�s Report. The Division will begin focusing their efforts on disability backlog as resources are not needed for the SAG award.
Division Director Report (6/16/2019)
I. Disability Retirements
A. Pending Disability Applications for the Initial Review by the Medical Examining Board: The Division continues to analyze the 15 dates that have been scheduled for MEB meetings for the remainder of 2019 in an attempt to add more initial application type meetings so as to reduce the wait period.
| 4/2019 | 5/2019 | 6/2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pending Disability Retirement Applications | 393 | 423 | 381 |
B. Twenty-Four Month Reviews
C. Disability Files Processed (51)
| 4/2019 | 5/2019 | 6/2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disability Retirements Processed | 37 | 51 | 74 |
D. Disability Backlog: As of today�s date of the May Retirement Commission meeting there are approximately 2002 disability retirement applications that have yet to be finalized. 1821 are disability retirement applications with a retirement date that is pre-July 1, 2016. The remaining 181 applications are from July 1, 2016 through the present.
| 4/2019 | 5/2019 | 6/2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disability Backlog | 2016 | 2002 | 1997 |
II. Normal Retirement Audits:
i. At 9:13, Mr. Poulin motioned, seconded by Mr. Casella to amend the agenda to add items 20-23.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to add items 20-23.
| 1/2019 | 2/2019 | 3/2019 | 4/2019 | 5/2019 | 6/2019 | ||
| Retirements Processed | 210 | 225 | 214 | 219 | 101 | 143 | |
New Matters
2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees
Retirement Commission Chairman�s Per Diem Expenses.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano 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 State Employees
Retirement Commission Union Trustee Claude Poulin Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton 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 Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
4. Request Commission Approval of the Parking Expense
Reimbursement of Trustee Charles Casella.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton 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 June 2019
Billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to accept the June 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 June 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole for
Federal Tax Matters.
6. Request Commission Acceptance of the June 2019
Billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to accept the June 2019 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 accept the June 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole for
CMERS.
7. Request Commission Acceptance of Invoices from
Rose Kallor rendered for the month of May.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to accept the invoices from Rose
Kallor rendered for the month of May.
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 May.
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut
State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of May 2019.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Connecticut State
Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of May 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 May 2019.
9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut
State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of
May 2019.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Connecticut State
Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of May
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 May 2019.
10. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees
System Disability Retirements for the Month of May 2019.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Connecticut State
Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of May 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 May 2019.
11. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees
System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of May 2019.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Connecticut State
Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of May 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
Retroactive Retirements for the Month of May 2019.
12. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Employees Retirement
System Retirements for the Month of May 2019.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Municipal Employees
Retirement System Retirements for the Month of May 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 Municipal Employees Retirement System
Retirements for the month of May 2019.
13. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical
Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Tabled and Denials.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to accept the recommendations by
the Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Tabled and Denials.
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 Continued Entitlement Tabled and Denials.
14. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical
Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.
i. At 9:15 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept the recommendations by the
Medical Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.
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 Continued Entitlement Approvals.
15. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Employees Retirement
System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:16 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal Employees
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 Employees Retirement System
Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
16. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Employees Retirement
System Disability Retirements Tabled and Denied by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:16 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal Employees
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 Employees Retirement System
Disability Retirements Tabled and Denied by the Medical Examining Board.
17. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut Judges, Family
Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System.
i. At 9:16 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 to approve the
Connecticut Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners
Retirement System.
18. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period April 12, 2018 Through May 9, 2019.
i. At 9:16 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Probate Judges and
Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period April 12, 2018
Through May 9, 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 April 12, 2018 Through May 9, 2019
19. Request Commission Approval of the Recommendations from the
Subcommittee on Purchase of Service and Related Matters meeting held on May 30,
2019.
i. At 9:17 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to approve the Recommendations from
the Subcommittee on Purchase of Service and Related Matters meeting held on May
30, 2019.
ii. Chairman asked if
there was any discussion. There was discussion. Mr. Coffey recommended Mr. Lapan
be separately discussed from the other recommendations. Mr. Luciano accepted the
recommendation as an amendment to his motion.
iii. The Commission voted
unanimously in favor, excluding Mr. Lapan�s request, to approve the
Recommendations from the Subcommittee on Purchase of Service and Related Matters
meeting held on May 30, 2019.
iv. At 9:18, Mr. Coffey
moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano that the Commission move to deny Mr. Lapan�s
case.
v. Chairman asked if there
was any discussion. There was a brief discussion. Mr. Coffey provided background
relating to Mr. Lapan�s matter. Mr. Coffey explained that the claimant passed
away before the retirement process was completed. Ms. Brown Brewton
explained that affidavits did not materialize to support the claim. Following
the discussion, the Chairman called for a vote.
vi. The Commission voted
unanimously in favor to approve of denying Mr. Lapan�s request.
20. Request Commission Acceptance of the Connecticut Probate Judges and
Employees Retirement System on the Valuation Prepared as of December 31, 2018.
i. At 9:22 a.m., Mr.
Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to accept the Connecticut Probate Judges and
Employees Retirement System on the Valuation Prepared as of December 31, 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 Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees
Retirement System on the Valuation Prepared as of December 31, 2018.
21. Request Commission Approval to Increase the Amount of Contributions
to the Probate Judges Retirement System.
i. At 9:23 a.m., Mr.
Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the proposal of the Probate
Court Administrator for an additional $5 million contribution to the Probate
Judges Retirement System for this fiscal year.
ii. Chairman asked if
there was any discussion. Mr. Poulin briefly discussed the matter, and he
offered a brief explanation that this will be no additional cost to taxpayers.
Following the discussion, the Chairman called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted
unanimously in favor to accept the proposal of the Probate Court Administrator
for an additional $5 million contribution to the Probate Judges Retirement
System for this fiscal year.
22. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendation of the Actuary
for an Adjustment to Actuarial Assumptions for CMERS municipalities.
i. At 9:26 a.m., Mr.
Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the recommendation of the
actuary for an adjustment to the actuarial assumptions for CMERS municipalities.
ii. Chairman asked if
there was any discussion. Mr. Poulin briefly discussed the matter.
Following the discussion, the Chairman called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted
unanimously in favor to accept the recommendation of the actuary for an
adjustment to the actuarial assumptions for CMERS municipalities.
23. Request Commission Acceptance of the CMERS Valuation Report dated
June 30, 2018 and revised on June 18, 2019 based on Recent Legislative Action.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr.
Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the CMERS Valuation Report dated
June 30, 2018 and revised on June 18, 2019 based on recent legislative action,
provided the legislation is signed by the governor.
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 CMERS Valuation Report dated June 30, 2018
and revised on June 18, 2019 based on recent legislative action, provided the
legislation is signed by the governor.
Executive Session - discussion and possible recommendation
At 9:32 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to suspend the regular meeting and go into executive session for the purposes of discussing Item 1. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 9:42 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 9:42 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 2. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 10:02 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 10:02 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 3. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 10:04 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 10:04 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 4. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 10:07 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 10:07 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 5. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 5.
At 10:13 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 10:13 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 6. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 6.
At 10:14 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 10:14 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 7. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 7.
At 10:15 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 10:15 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 8. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 8.
At 10:16 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 10:16 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 9. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 9.
At 10:16 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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 10:17 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to go into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 10. Attorney Barth, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Attorney Rose (via phone) 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 10.
At 10:17 a.m., Mr. Luciano 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.
In public session the following discussion occurred and motions were made:
At 10:18 a.m., the Chairman advised that the IRS Closing Agreement regarding the SAG Award has been accepted by the IRS and was being executed today.
At 10:20 a.m., Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to direct the Division to attempt to collect on the overpayments of CMERS benefits relating to the Commission�s directive dated November 16, 2017 unless the member can satisfy the requirements of a waiver of overpayment. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.
At 10:22 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to table Item 2 relating to CMERS Overpayments on Interest until next month. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.
At 10:23 a.m., Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Ms. Brown- Brewton to direct legal counsel to verify the amount related to the Town of Thompson�s settlement proposal, and if the amount lost to the plan is $10,000 or less, legal counsel is authorized to settle the current litigation. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.
At 10:24 a.m., Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano that although Sen. Frantz would be designated a SERS member by statute, the calculation of his pension benefit would result in a monthly payment of $0, , and that this analysis applies to anyone who is similarly situated. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.
At 10:25 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey that New London be notified regarding the amount of contributions owed to the Police and Fire Survivors Benefit Fund. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. All voted in favor.
Adjournment
With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to adjourn at 10:25 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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