Retirement Division May 18, 2017 Minutes of Meeting State Employees Retirement Commission

DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the ?Commission?) was held on May 18, 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 9:09 a.m.
 
B. Chairman's Report:
There was no chairman?s report.
 
C. Division Director's Report

For the month of May the Division processed 152 retirements. There were 138 regular retirements, 3 Hybrid retirements, 7 Voluntary Pending cases and 7 new disability retirements. The Disability Unit was able finalize 10 disability cases for May.

For the ARP to Hybrid transfers there are a total of 1,939 with 453 retirees and 1,473 transfers, 4 prospective and 9 waivers. We continue to work through the backlog of transfers with 545 remaining to be completed. Two unpaid student interns from Manchester Community College started yesterday to assist the Division with backlog of transfers.

Pending Disability Applications as of April 30, 2017
Pending Applications:   422
Applications preliminarily reviewed (221)
Applications waiting for documentation (201)
Applications scheduled:   32
Total Pending: 454


FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL

Number of Applications Received 14

Number of Applications on Agenda 14

Number of Applications Approved 12

The next available meeting for scheduling is June 2017.

24 month review cases:

Last week there were twelve town units that were trained on using the Core-CT MERS Employer Reporting and the feedback on the system and processing was very favorable.

Deputy Comptroller Carlson gave an overview of the pension module. The Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) has now been implemented and continues to stabilize. There has been positive feedback from the MERS towns. The Division will continue to train the MERS towns on how to input the data. All modules in the implementation plan have been implemented. The consultants will be rolling off the project in June and Deputy Comptroller Carlson expressed concern that, due to budget constraints, $2,000,000 was removed from OSC?s overall CoreCT bond last year, and the $2,000,000 funding is critically needed to finish stabilizing the system. She also stressed that the funds are not in excess of project cost projections, but within budget.

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the April 20, 2017 minutes.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve April 20, 2017 minutes.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion.
iii. There was discussion and the April 20, 2017 minutes were amended to reflect the changes made in the meeting.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor as amended to approve the April 20, 2017 minutes.
 
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 April 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 April 2017 billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.
 
5. Request Commission Acceptance of the April 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 April 2017 billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.
 
6. Request Commission Acceptance of the April 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 April 2017 billing from Ford Harrison.
 
7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of April 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of April 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 April 2017.
 
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of April 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of April 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 April 2017.
 
9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Preretirement Death Benefits for the Month of April 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Preretirement Death Benefits for the Month of April 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 Preretirement Death Benefits for the Month of April 2017.
 
10. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of April 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of April 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 April 2017.
 
11. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of April 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Municipal Retirement System Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of April 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 April 2017.
 
12. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board For Continued Entitlement for Approved Disability Retirements.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for Continued Entitlement for Approved Disability 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 accept of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for Continued Entitlement for Approved Disability Retirements.
 
13. 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 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 Denied/Tabled Disability Continued Entitlement.
 
14. 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.
 
15. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for May 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for May 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 May 2017.
 
16. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for April 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for April 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 Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for April 2017.
 
17. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period March 17, 2017 Through April 17, 2017.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period March 17, 2017 Through April 17, 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 March 17, 2017 Through April 17, 2017.
 
18. Request Commission Approval of Doctor Robert Galvin to be a Member of the Medical Examining Board.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex approve Doctor Robert Galvin to be a Member of 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 to approve Doctor Robert Galvin to be a Member of the Medical Examining Board.
 
19. Request Commission Review and Possible Discussion on the Letter From The Auditors? Of Public Accounts.
i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion regarding if Ms. Noble was eligible to receive a pension.
iii. Ford Harrison was not asked to draft a legal opinion and present it at the June 2017 meeting.
 
20. Nomination of Chairman of the Retirement Commission - Discussion And Possible Action
i. Tabled until June 2017.

Executive Session

Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to go into executive session at 10:17 a.m. Ms. Halpin, Mr. Newman, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session. At 10:42 a.m., the Commission exited executive session and made the following motions.

1. King, Petition for Declaratory Ruling - written legal opinion - discussion and possible recommendation.
At 10:43 a.m., Mr. Carey motioned, seconded by Mr. Casella the Commission directed the Commission attorney?s to draft a response to the declaratory ruling.
2. Carbino, request for reconsideration - written legal opinion - discussion and possible recommendation.
At 10:44 a.m., Mr. Carey motioned, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the legal and personnel recommendation to deny to the request for the Carbino family.
3. Thompson - pending litigation - discussion.
4. Walenski - pending litigation - discussion.
5. Carter - pending litigation - discussion.
6. Maturo - pending litigation - discussion.
7. Bouchard - pending litigation - discussion.
8. Diaz - pending claim - discussion and possible recommendation.
At 10:44 a.m., Mr. Carey motioned, seconded by Mr. Luciano to table the Diaz matter until the June 15, 2017 meeting. Ms. Brown-Breton offered the friendly amendment to determine the feasibility of the direction that legal counsel suggested they take.
9. CMERS legal fees - written legal opinion - discussion and possible recommendation.
At 10:45 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to advise the Retirement Division to transfer funds from CMERS to SERS to pay the 2013 legal fees.
10. Philips - pending claim

Public Session

At 10:42 a.m., the Commission exited executive session and made the following motions.

1. King, Petition for Declaratory Ruling - written legal opinion - discussion and possible recommendation.
At 10:43 a.m., Mr. Carey motioned, seconded by Mr. Casella the Commission directed the Commission attorney?s to draft a response to the declaratory ruling.
2. Carbino, request for reconsideration - written legal opinion - discussion and possible recommendation.
At 10:44 a.m., Mr. Carey motioned, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the legal and personnel recommendation to deny to the request for the Carbino family.
3. Thompson - pending litigation - discussion.
4. Walenski - pending litigation - discussion.
5. Carter - pending litigation - discussion.
6. Maturo - pending litigation - discussion.
7. Bouchard - pending litigation - discussion.
8. Diaz - pending claim - discussion and possible recommendation.
At 10:44 a.m., Mr. Carey motioned, seconded by Mr. Luciano to table the Diaz matter until the June 15, 2017 meeting. Ms. Brown-Breton offered the friendly amendment to determine the feasibility.
9. CMERS legal fees - written legal opinion - discussion and possible recommendation.
At 10:45 a.m., Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to advise the Retirement Division to transfer funds from CMERS to SERS to pay the 2013 legal fees.
10. Philips - pending claim

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to adjourn at 10:48 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Respectfully Submitted by:
__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

___________________________________
Prepared by Brenda K. Halpin
Director Retirement Service Division

Return to Meetings, Agendas and Minutes Home Page
Return to Comptroller's Home Page