DRAFT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the ?Commission?) was held on October 19, 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:

• Peter Adomeit, Chairman
• Charles Casella, Trustee
• Robert D. Coffey, Trustee
• Richard M. Cosgrove, Trustee
• Paul Fortier, Trustee
• Lisa Grasso Egan, Trustee
• Sal Luciano, Trustee
• Ronald McLellan, Trustee
• Claude Poulin, Trustee
• Angel Quiros, Trustee
• Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller & Interim Director of Retirement Services, Ex Officio Member
• Laurie Martin, Ex Officio Member

The following members of the Commission were absent:

• Michael Carey, Trustee
• Sandra Fae Brown Brewton, Trustee
• Laila Mandour, Trustee

Also present were:

• Amanda Alfonso, Retirement Services Division
• Bruce Barth, Robinson & Cole
• Natalie Braswell, Office of the State Comptroller
• Cindy Cieslak, General Counsel to the Commission Ford Harrison
• Karen Nolen, Office of Policy & Management
• Michael Rose, General Counsel to the Commission Ford Harrison
• Kishore Solanki, Retirement Division

Call to Order

Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m.

Chairman's Report

There was no chairman?s report.

Division Director's Report

The Division processed 511 retirements for the month of October. There are 466 regular retirements, 26 Hybrid retirements, 14 Voluntary Pending cases and 5 new disability retirements. The Disability Unit was able finalize 5 disability cases for September. There were 697 finalizations processed on the October payroll. There are also finalizations that are pending with Accenture for its automated process therefore we are unable to provide up to date metrics for the finalizations for regular retirements at this time.

For the ARP to Hybrid transfers there are a total of 1987 with 490 retirees and 1483 transfers, 5 prospective and 9 waivers. We continue to work through the backlog of transfers with 518 remaining to be completed.

Pending Disability Applications as of September 30, 2017

The next available meeting for scheduling is January 2018.

24 month review cases:

• Currently there are a total of 311 members to be reviewed.
• Out of the 311 - 45 are currently collecting Social Security Disability. Out of the 45 cases, 16 are part of the backlog. There are 266 cases that have been identified as not receiving Social Security Disability, 167 are part of the backlog.

Tier 1:

Tier II:

Tier IIA:

Tier H (Hybrid)

Tier X:

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the September 21, 2017 minutes.
i. At 9:28 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve September 21, 2017 minutes.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion.
iii. There was discussion and the September 21, 2017 minutes were amended to reflect the changes made in the meeting.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the September 21, 2017 minutes as amended.

 

2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. At 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan 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 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan 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 Claude Poulin Per Diem and Travel Expenses.

 

4. Request Commission Acceptance of the September 2017 Billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.
i. At 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan 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 September 2017 billing from Robinson and Cole for federal tax matters.

 

5. Request Commission Acceptance of the September 2017 Invoices from Ford Harrison.
i. At 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan 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 September 2017 billing from Ford Harrison.

 

6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of September 2017.
i. At 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of September 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 September 2017.

 

7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of September 2017.
i. At 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of September 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 September 2017.

 

8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of September 2017.
i. At 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of September 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 September 2017.

9. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of September 2017.
i. At 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of September 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 September 2017.

 

10. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of September 2017.
i. At 9:30 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Municipal Retirement System Preretirement Death Benefit for the Month of September 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 September 2017.

 

11. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Acceptance of Continued Entitlement.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan 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.

 

12. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
ii. Ms. Grasso-Egan abstained.
iii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously, with Ms. Grasso-Egan abstaining, in favor to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.

 

13. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for October 2017.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for October 2017.
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 October 2017.

 

14. Request Commission Approval of the Public Defenders Retirement System Retirements for October 2017.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Public Defenders Retirement System Retirements for October 2017.
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 Public Defenders Retirement System Retirements for October 2017.

 

15. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for October 2017.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for October 2017.
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 October 2017.

 

16. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period August 4, 2017 Through September 14, 2017.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay August 4, 2017 Through September 14, 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 August 4, 2017 Through September 14, 2017.

17. a. Request Commission Review and Acceptance Of The Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations For Plan Year Ending June 30, 2017.
b. Request Commission Review and Acceptance of the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept both the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations For Plan Year Ending June 30, 2017 and the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 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 accept both the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations For Plan Year Ending June 30, 2017 and the Probate Judges? and Employees? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017.

 

18. a. Request Commission Review and Acceptance of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates? and Compensation Commissioners? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017.
b. Request Commission Review and Acceptance of the Judges?, Family Support Magistrates? and Compensation Commissioners? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017.
i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept both the Judges, Family Support Magistrates? and Compensation Commissioners? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017 and the Judges?, Family Support Magistrates? and Compensation Commissioners? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 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 accept the Judges, Family Support Magistrates? and Compensation Commissioners? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017 and the Judges?, Family Support Magistrates? and Compensation Commissioners? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017.

 

19. a. Request Commission Review and Acceptance of the State Attorneys? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017.

b. Request Commission Review and Acceptance of the State Attorneys? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017.

i. At 9:31 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept the State Attorneys? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017 and the State Attorneys? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 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 accept the State Attorneys? Retirement Fund Statement of Operations for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017 and the State Attorneys? Retirement Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017.

Executive Session

1. Bouchard - pending litigation - discussion.
2. Thompson - pending litigation - discussion.
3. Carter - pending litigation - discussion.
4. Walenski - pending litigation - discussion.
5. Professor Kay - petition for declaratory ruling - written legal opinion - discussion and possible action.
6. SAG Award Update - written legal opinion - discussion.

At 9:32 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into executive session to discuss Item 1. Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak 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 for Item 1.

At 9:33 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan 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. Cosgrove to go into executive session to discuss Item 2. Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak 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 for Item 2.

At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove 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 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan to go into executive session to discuss Item 3. Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak 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 for Item 3.

At 9:40 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove 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 9:41 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan to go into executive session to discuss Item 4. Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak 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 for Item 4.

At 9:42 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan 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 9:43 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan to go into executive session to discuss Item 5. Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak 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 for Item 5.

At 9:48 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin 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 9:48 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan to go into executive session to discuss Item 6. Attorney Braswell, Attorney Barth, Attorney Rose and Attorney Cieslak 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 for Item 6.

At 9:53 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso Egan 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.

Public Session

At 9:53 a.m., Mr. Luciano made a motion, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to accept the recommendations of the legal and personnel subcommittee that it authorizes Commission Counsel to prepare a declaratory ruling in the Professor Kay matter, consistent with prior declaratory rulings in this area. The Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the motion.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to adjourn at 9:55 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

Respectfully Submitted by:

__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

___________________________________
Prepared by Martha Carlson
Deputy Comptroller & Interim Director Retirement Service Division

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