DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES
RETIREMENT COMMISSION
A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the
"Commission") was held on November 21, 2019, in the 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:
- Peter Adomeit, Chairman
- Janet Andrews, Trustee
- Michael Bailey, Trustee
- Sandra Fae Brown Brewton, Trustee
- Karen Buffkin, Trustee Michael Carey, Trustee
- Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller, Ex Officio Member (via phone)
- Charles Casella, Trustee
- Carl Chisem, Trustee
- Robert D. Coffey, Trustee
- Paul Fortier, Trustee
- Sal Luciano, Trustee
- Laurie Martin, Ex Officio Member
- Karen Nolen, Trustee
- Claude Poulin, Trustee
- Angel Quiros, Trustee
The following members of the Commission were absent:
Also present were:
- Amanda Alfonso, Retirement Services Division
- Bruce Barth, Robinson and Cole
- Natalie Braswell, Office of the State Comptroller
- Cindy Cieslak, General Counsel to the Commission Rose Kallor
- John Herrington, Retirement Services Division
- Colin Newman, Retirement Services Division
- Michael Rose, General Counsel to the Commission Rose Kallor
Call to Order
Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.
Chairman's Report
The Chairman announced that he is planning a Christmas Party.
Division Director's Report
Division Director Report (11/21/2019)
I. Disability Retirements
A. Pending Disability Applications for the Initial
Review by the Medical Examining Board: The Division has completed the
task of adding additional meetings for the remainder of 2019 in attempt to
reduce the wait period. Currently scheduling for the May 2020 MEB meeting.
- There are a total of 302 Disability Retirement Applications of
which:
- 16 New Applications received for September
- 196 Applications have been scheduled for meetings into May
2020
- 106 Applications are awaiting additional medical documentation
|
5/2019 |
6/2019 |
|
7/2019 |
8/2019 |
|
9/2019 |
|
10/2019 |
11/2019 |
Pending Disability Retirement Applications: |
423 |
381 |
|
401 |
366 |
|
369 |
|
310 |
302 |
B. Twenty-Four Month Reviews
- 225 Cases are due for a 24 month review.
- 53 Cases - Retiree is receiving SSD benefits (Expedited
Approval Process)
- 0 have retirement dates that are beyond 24 months old.
- 172 Cases - Retiree does not appear to be receiving SSD
benefits. 77 have retirement dates beyond 24 months old. Of the 77, 19 are scheduled
for the next 24 month review meeting which is tentatively scheduled for February
2020.
C. Disability Files Processed:
- 10 Voluntary Pending
- 13 Approved Disability Applications of which
- 7 Applications were new to payroll
- 5 Applications were changed from Voluntary Pending to
Disability.
- 18 Applications were finalized and sent to I & R. The reason
for the drop in finalization is due to double the Initial meetings with the MEB
in both September and November and the timing of payroll closing.
|
5/2019 |
6/2019 |
7/2019 |
8/2019 |
9/2019 |
10/2019 |
11/2019 |
Disability Retirement Processed: |
51 |
74 |
85 |
73 |
52 |
82 |
41 |
D. Disability Backlog: As of today's date of
the October Retirement Commission meeting there are approximately 1923
disability retirement applications that have yet to be finalized. 1776 are
disability retirement applications with a retirement date that is pre-July 2016.
The remaining 147 applications are from July 2016 through the present.
|
5/2019 |
6/2019 |
7/2019 |
8/2019 |
9/2019 |
10/2019 |
11/2019 |
Disability Backlog: |
2002 |
1997 |
1960 |
1958 |
1953 |
1941 |
1923 |
II. Normal Retirement Audits:
|
5/2019 |
6/2019 |
7/2019 |
8/2019 |
9/2019 |
10/2019 |
11/2019 |
Retirements Processed: |
101 |
143 |
186 |
193 |
175 |
162 |
151 |
New Matters
- 1. Request Commission Approval of the October 17, 2019 minutes.
- i. At 9:09 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the October 17, 2019 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 October 17, 2019 minutes.
- 2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees
Retirement Commission Chairman's Per Diem Expenses.
-
i. At 9:09 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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�s Per Diem and Travel
Expenses.
-
i. At 9:09 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to approve the State Employees Retirement
Commission Union Trustee Claude Poulin�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 Claude Poulin�s Per Diem and Travel
Expenses.
- 4. Request Commission Acceptance of the October 2019
Billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.
-
i. At 9:09 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to accept the October 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 October 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole
for Federal Tax Matters.
- 5. Request Commission Acceptance of the October 2019
Billing from Robinson and Cole for CMERS.
-
i. At 9:09 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to accept the October 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 October 2019 billing from Robinson and Cole
for CMERS.
- 6. Request Commission Acceptance of Invoices from
Rose Kallor rendered for the month of October.
-
i. At 9:09 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to accept the invoices from Rose Kallor
rendered for the month of October.
-
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 October.
- 7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut
State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of October
2019.
-
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to approve the Connecticut State Employees
Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of October 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 October 2019.
- 8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut
State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of
October 2019.
- i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to approve the Connecticut State Employees
Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of October 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 October 2019.
- 9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut
State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of October 2019.
-
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to approve the Connecticut State Employees
System Disability Retirements for the Month of October 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 October 2019.
10. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees
System Pre- Retirement Deaths for the Month of October 2019.
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the Connecticut State Employees
System Pre- Retirement Deaths for the Month of October 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 Pre-
Retirement Deaths for the Month of October 2019.
11. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees
Retirement System Municipal Employees Retirements for the Month of October 2019.
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the Connecticut State Employees
Retirement System Municipal Employees Retirements for the Month of October 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 Municipal Retirements for the Month of October 2019.
12. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System
Disability Retirements Approvals by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the Municipal Retirement System
Disability Retirements Approvals 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 Approvals by the Medical Examining Board.
13. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System
Disability Retirements Tabled and Denied by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the Municipal 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 Retirement System Disability
Retirements Tabled and Denied by the Medical Examining Board.
14. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical
Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Tabled and Denials.
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr.
Chisem 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.
15. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical
Examining Board for the Continued Entitlement Approvals.
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr.
Chisem 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.
16. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees
Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period September 13 through
October 10, 2019.
i. At 9:10 a.m., Mr.
Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to approve the Probate Judges and
Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period September 13
through October 10, 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 September 13 through October 10, 2019.
17. Request Commission Acceptance of the Purchasing and Other Related
Matters Subcommittee Recommendation from the Meeting held on September 25, 2019
(Omitted from Item #19 of the October 17, 2019 Commission agenda).
i. At 9:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr.
Chisem to accept the Purchasing and Other Related Matters Subcommittee
Recommendation from the Meeting held on September 25, 2019. (Omitted from Item
#19 of the October 17, 2019 Commission agenda).
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 Purchasing and Other Related Matters Subcommittee Recommendation from the
Meeting held on September 25, 2019. (Omitted from Item #19 of the October 17,
2019 Commission agenda).
18. Request Commission Review and Acceptance of the Connecticut
Municipal Employee�s Retirement Fund B Statement of Operations and Balance Sheet
for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019.
i. At 9:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr.
Chisem to accept the Connecticut Municipal Employee�s Retirement Fund B
Statement of Operations and Balance Sheet for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 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 accept
the Connecticut Municipal Employee�s Retirement Fund B Statement of Operations
and Balance Sheet for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019.
19. Request Commission Review and Acceptance of the State Employees
Retirement System Statement of Operations and Balance Sheet for Fiscal Year
Ending June 30, 2019.
i. At 9:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr.
Chisem to accept the State Employees Retirement System Statement of Operations
and Balance Sheet for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 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 accept
the State Employees Retirement System Statement of Operations and Balance Sheet
for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to
accept the State Employees Retirement System Statement of Operations and Balance
Sheet for Plan Year Ending June 30, 2019.
Executive Session - discussion and possible action
- Tier IV SPD - written legal opinion.
- Lena Carter petition for declaratory ruling � pending claim/written legal
opinion.
- David Carter/Richard Kay � pending litigation.
- Town of Thompson - pending litigation.
- Ronald Johnson - pending litigation.
- Ralph Tedesco petition for declaratory ruling � pending claim/written
legal opinion.
- Catherine Crandle - pending litigation.
- Brian Comerford - pending litigation.
- Marianna Grzeszczyk � pending litigation.
- Municipal Liaison - personnel/appointment discussion.
At 9:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem 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,
Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 9:13 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 9:13 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Chisem to go into executive
session for purposes of discussing Item 2. Attorney Barth, Attorney
Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose
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 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:19 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive
session for the purposes of discussing Item 3. Attorney Barth, Attorney
Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose
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 9:21 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:21 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive
session for purposes of discussing Item 4. Attorney Barth, Attorney
Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose
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 9:33 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:33 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive
session for purposes of discussing Item 5. Attorney Barth, Attorney
Braswell, Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose
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 9:34 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9:34 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive
session for purposes of discussing Item 6. Attorney Braswell, Attorney
Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 10:10 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 10:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive
session for purposes of discussing Item 7. Attorney Braswell, Attorney
Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 10:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 10:11 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros to go into executive
session for purposes of discussing Item 8. Attorney Braswell, Attorney
Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 10:12 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 9. Attorney Braswell,
Attorney Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 10:15 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Quiros 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 Mr. Quiros to go into executive
session for purposes of discussing Item 10. Attorney Braswell, Attorney
Cieslak, John Herrington, Colin Newman, and Attorney Rose 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 10:22 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella 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 10:25 a.m., Ms. Buffkin moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to accept the
proposed settlement agreement with the Town of Thompson and authorize the
Chairman to accept a reasonable amount to be transferred that is not less than
1/20th of the amount that the Town of Thompson owes to the plan. The Chairman
asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a
vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
At 10:25 a.m., Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to accept the
recommendations of the legal and personnel subcommittee to accept the
declaratory ruling on the Tedesco matter. After some discussion the motion was
withdrawn. At 10:27 a.m., Ms. Brown Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano
to table Mr. Tedesco�s petition for declaratory ruling until the December
meeting. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no
discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to
approve the motion to table.
At 10:29 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Brown Brewton to issue the
declaratory ruling regarding Lena Carter. The Chairman asked if there was any
discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted
unanimously in favor to approve the motion.
Adjournment
With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded
by Mr. Chisem to adjourn at 10:29 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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