STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the "Commission") was held on October 20, 2016, 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
• Lisa Grasso Egan, Trustee
• Steven Greatorex, Trustee
• Paul Fortier, Trustee
• Sal Luciano, Trustee
• Laila Mandour, Trustee
• Ronald McLellan, Trustee
• Claude Poulin, Trustee
• Angel Quiros, Trustee
• Martha Carlson, Deputy Comptroller, Ex Officio Member
• Matthew Hart, Municipal Liaison
• Laurie Martin, filling in for Deborah Spalding, CIO, Office of the State Treasurer, Ex Officio Member

The following members of the Commission were absent:

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

Also present were:

• Brenda Halpin, Director, Retirement Services Division
• Michael Rose, General Counsel to the Commission Ford Harrison
• Natalie Braswell, General Counsel to the Comptroller
• Colin Newman, Retirement Services Division
• Karen Nolen, Office of Policy and Management
• Ralph Efrid, Post Reporting
• Attorney Harold J. Geragosian, Sole Proprietor
• Attorney Robert J. Kor, Kor Law Firm
• Carol Walenski, Spouse of a SERS Member
• Katherine Miller, SERS Member
• Attorney Brian Doyle, Ferguson, Doyle and Chester, P.C
• Amanda Alfonso, Retirement Services Division

A. Call to Order

Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:08 am

 

B. Chairman's Report:

Chairman Adomeit announced that he had appointed Ms. Grasso Egan to the actuarial subcommittee at her request.

 

C. Division Director?s Report

The October retirement payroll closed with 198 retirements (180 regular, 3 Hybrids, 10 Voluntary Pending and 5 Disability).

For the ARP to Hybrid transfers there are a total of 1,904 with 394 retirees and 1,497 transfers, 4 prospective and 9 waivers. We continue to work through the backlog of transfers with 613 remaining to be completed.

Pending Disability Applications as of September 30, 2016

The next available meeting date to schedule is November 2016.

Updated information on the Audit Backlog:

Deputy Comptroller Carlson gave an overview of the pension module?s progress. She told the Commission that the calculator continues to stabilize. Although, the audit process has become automated there is still a human aspect to it checking the final audits. On December 5th the Division will implement service purchases, accounts receivable, contributions and refunds. The UCONN implementation of the payroll module went well.

D. Chairman Adomeit asked for a motion by Mr. Poulin to amend the agenda to allow the GASB 67 & GASB 68 MERS reports as of June 30, 2015 be added to the agenda.

 

i. Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to amend the agenda to allow the GASB 67 & GASB 68 MERS reports as of June 30, 2015 be added to the agenda.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion.
iii. Ms. Grasso Egan raised a concern that the actuarial reports and SEBAC did not follow the same assumptions.
iv. It was suggested by Chairman Adomeit to table the discussion because it was running over and there was a hearing.
v. Ms. Grasso Egan moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to table the actuarial reports.
vi. The Commission voted unanimously to table the GASB 67 & GASB 68 MERS reports.
vii. After the hearings, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Mandour to have a qualified acceptance of the MERS GASB 67 & GASB 68.

New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the September 15, 2016 Minutes.

ii. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the September 15, 2016 minutes.
iii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the September 15, 2016 minutes.

 

2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier 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. Fortier 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 September 2016 Billing from Robinson & Cole.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the billing from Robinson & Cole.
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 2016 billing from Robinson & Cole.

 

5. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of September 2016.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of September 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 State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of September 2016.

 

6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of September 2016.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of September 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 State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of September 2016.

 

7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of September 2016.

i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of September 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 State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of September 2016.

 

8. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Employee Retirement System Retirements.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal Employee Retirement System 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 approve the Municipal Employee Retirement System Retirements.

 

9. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board of the Municipal Employee Retirement System Disability Retirement Application Denials.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to accept the recommendations by the medical examining board of the Municipal Employees Retirement System disability retirement application denials.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to accept the recommendations by the medical examining board of the Municipal Employees Retirement System disability retirement application denials.

 

10. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for October 2016.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for October 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 Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for October 2016.

 

11. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period August 5, 2016 Through September 15, 2016.

i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period August 5, 2016 Through September 15, 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 Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period August 5, 2016 Through September 15, 2016.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Grasso-Egan to approve A & B.
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 A & B.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve A & B.
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 A & B.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve A & B.
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 A & B.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve A & B.
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 A & B.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve A & B.
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 A & B.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve A & B.
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 A & B.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to approve A & B.
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 A & B.

 

20. Commission Review and Consideration of the Proposed Calendar for Retirement Commission Meetings for 2017.

 

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Mandour to review and consider the proposed calendar for retirement commission meetings for 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 review and consider the proposed calendar for retirement commission meetings for 2017.

 

21. Request Commission Approval of the Application of the Stratford Probate District to Modify Its Agreement to Participate in the Old-Age, Survivors, Disability and Health Insurance System.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Mandour to review and consider the application at the Stratford Probate District to Modify its Agreement to Participate in the Old-Age, Survivors, Disability and Health Insurance System.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There was discussion on the Commissions responsibility on this matter. A satisfactory response was not available so the matter is being tabled until Nov. 2016 meeting.
iii. The Commission voted unanimously to table the matter until the Nov 2016 meeting.

 

22. Reconsideration of Pension Benefit Relating to Carol Walenski- Hearing and Possible Action

 

i. Ms. Carol Walenski and Attorney Geragosian argued that Ms. Walenski receive her late husband?s retirement benefit rather than it going to his former wife, Arlene. Walter Walenski passed away in 2015 and has initially put Arlene Walenski on the pension form.
ii. At 10:05, Attorney Rose suggested that the Commission go into executive session to discuss the written legal opinion and to take a motion whether to confirm or deny Ms. Walenski?s request.
iii. At 10:06, Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into executive session.
iv. The Commission, except for Mr. Luciano, unanimously voted to go into executive session.
v. At 10:15 am, the Commission came out of executive session and Ms. Mandour moved, second by Ms. Grasso- Egan to move to deny the request by Carol Walenski to reconsider the agency?s decision for the reasons articulated in said agency?s decisions.
vi. At 10:16 am, The Commission voted unanimously in favor to move to deny the request by Carol Walenski to reconsider the agency?s decision for the reasons articulated in said agency?s decisions.

23. Request From Kathryn Miller For Commission Approval of Her Request to Rescind Her Membership in SERS Tier II For The Purpose Of Enrolling In Tier I- Hearing and Possible Action.

 

i. Ms. Miller had a hearing in February 2016 and went in front of the Commission for a second time to determine if she would be able to go into Tier I.
ii. Attorney Doyle and Ms. Miller stated that when she started in the 1980s, she chose to be in Tier 1, but someone altered the document and put her in Tier II.
iii. Ms. Mandour moved, seconded by Mr. Cosgrove to grant Ms. Miller?s request to go back into Tier 1.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve Ms. Miller?s late request to rescind her membership in SERS Tier II for the purpose of enrolling in Tier I. Approved as case specific for Ms. Miller.

Executive Session

Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into executive session at 10:50 a.m. Ms. Halpin, Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Rose, and Attorney Barth were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session to discuss CMERS overpayments analysis.

 

1. CMERS overpayments analysis - written legal opinion - discussion and possible recommendation. (no motion made)
2. UPSEU v. Town of Thompson - pending litigation -update. (no motion made)
3. Bouchard - pending litigation - update. (no motion made)
4. Brown - pending litigation - update. (no motion made)
5. Maturo - pending litigation - update. (no motion made)
6. Krawiec- pending litigation - update. (no motion made)
7. IRS limitations on pension calculations - written legal opinion - update. (no motion made)

New Matters

24. Motion as To Legal and Personnel Subcommittees Recommendations Re: CMERS Overpayments.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to demand overpayment for the following individuals: Ana Crespo, Richard Belden, Halina Fajer-Wolczacki, Betsey Mauri, Judith Nagle, Kim Walton, John Harkins III, Lance Helms, Cheryl Maturah, Hector Ramos, Sara Seney, Timothy Webb and Charles Leavens.
ii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to demand overpayments from the above individuals.
iii. Detailed instructions to be provided to the Division on this matter from Attorney Michael Rose.

 

Tabled Items

 

1. Request Received From Angela Diaz That The Commission Review And Reconsider Its August 18, 2016 Denial Of Her Request That The Retroactive Payment Of Her Disability Retirement Benefit Be Retroactive To Her June 1, 2011 Date Of Retirement.

i. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Mandour to table Ms. Diaz?s matter until January 2017 when the workers compensation is determined.
ii. The Commission voted unanimously to table Ms. Diaz?s matter until January 2017 when the workers compensation is determined.

 

2. Soracchi Matter: Petitioner?s Request For 90-Day Extension of Time. Discussion and Possible Action. Tabled Until November 2016.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Ms. Mandour moved, seconded by Mr. Luciano to adjourn at 12:03 p.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