Retirement Division September 15, 2016 Minutes of Meeting Retirement Commission

STATE OF CONNECTICUT
STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION

A regular meeting of the State Employees Retirement Commission (the "Commission") was held on September 15, 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:

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 am

B. Chairman's Report:
Chairman Adomeit wanted to bring to the Commission?s attention to the problem of the municipal survey administrative cost. It was not on the agenda so it would not be discussed, however he wanted to have the Commission start thinking about how to address this problem.

C. Division Director's Report

The September retirement payroll closed yesterday and we have 187 retirements (164 regular, 6 Hybrids, 10 Voluntary Pending and 7 Disability). The Division was able to finalize 1,171 regular retirements and 9 disability retirements for the month. There are 13,657 retirements that need to be finalized.

For the ARP to Hybrid transfers there are a total of 1,902 with 394 retirees and 1,495 transfers, 4 prospective and 9 waivers. We continue to work through the backlog of transfers with 627 remaining to be completed.

Pending Disability Applications as of August 31, 2016

Pending Applications:    333
 applications preliminarily reviewed (155)
applications waiting for documentation (178)
Applications scheduled for upcoming MEB meetings:    51
Total Pending:    384
 
For the month of August
Number of Applications Received    19
Number of Applications on Agenda    20
Number of Applications Approved    16

The next available meeting date to schedule is October 2016.

The Division has received a request from the New Canaan Police Department regarding MERS membership.

Sample copies of the Employee Benefit Statements for 2016 have been provided for your reference.

Deputy Comptroller Carlson gave an overview of the pension module?s progress. Last month, the retirement division finalized approximately 1562 retirements and is working on finalizing another 1200 this month. Currently, there is a bucket of 9000 retirements that they think are able to be finalized. There have been about 70 phones calls from retirees that have had a final audit but they do not feel that their audit was done correctly. The division is working on modifying the letter that was sent out to them. Pre- 2003 pay codes are not in the computer system, so the division has been manually entering the pay rates. UCONN goes live Thursday, September 22 and everyone is confident that they are ready to go live.

Chairman Adomeit asked for a motion to amend the agenda

i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to amend the 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 amend the agenda.

Chairman Adomeit asked for a motion to amend agenda item number 15 to add the words, "possible action."

i. Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to amend agenda item number 15 to add the words, "possible action."
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 amend agenda item number 15 to add the words, "possible action."

D. New Matters

1. Request Commission Approval of the August 18, 2016 Minutes.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the August 18, 2016 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 August 18, 2016 minutes.
 
2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. Mr. Greatorex 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. Greatorex 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 Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Management Trustee?s Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Management Trustee's Per Diem and Travel Expense.
ii. Mr. Cosgrove 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. Cosgrove abstaining, to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Management Trustee's Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
5. Request Commission Acceptance of the August 2016 Invoices from Ford Harrison.

i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the billing from Ford Harrison.
ii. Chairman asked if there was any discussion.
iii. Mr. Casella said that he noticed there is a backlog of invoices and wondered if there was a problem. Chairman Adomeit said that the division is waiting on a Corporate Resolution form and W9 before Ford Harrison can be paid.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission August 2016 billing from Ford Harrison.
 
6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of August 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of August 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 August 2016.
 
7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of August 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of August 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 August 2016.
 
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of August 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve Connecticut State Employees System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of August 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 August 2016.
 
9. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of August 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve Connecticut State Employees System Retroactive Retirements for the Month of August 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 Retroactive Retirements for the Month of August 2016.
 
10. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Pre-Retirement Death Benefit Retirements for the Month of August 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve Connecticut State Employees System Pre-Retirement Death Benefit Retirements for the Month of August 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 Pre-Retirement Death Benefit Retirements for the Month of August 2016.
 
11. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Municipal 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 Retirement System Retirements.
 
12. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Retirements for the month of September 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for 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 Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Retirements for the month of September 2016.
 
13. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for the month of September 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for 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 Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for September 2016.
 
14. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period July 8, 2016 Through August 4, 2016.
i. Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period July 8, 2016 Through August 4, 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 July 8, 2016 Through August 4, 2016.
 
15. Procedure for Appointing a Municipal Liaison and possible action.
i. Chairman Adomeit explained Mr. Landry is retiring in December and Matthew Hart has come to the meeting to introduce himself and possibly take over as the Mr. Landry's municipal liaison. Hr. Hart was chosen because he was the only person that volunteered to do the job. It was pointed out that the Commission asked two municipal organizations, Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) and Connecticut Council of Municipalities (CCM) and there were no recommendations made.
ii. Chairman Adomeit asked for a motion to appoint Mr. Hart as the municipal liaison.
iii. Mr. Carey made a motion, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to appoint Mr. Hart to the Retirement Commission as of October 1, 2016.
iv. Chairman asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion he called for a vote.
v. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to appoint Mr. Hart to the Retirement Commission as of October 1, 2016.
 
16. Suggested CMERS Modifications.
i. No motion was made.
 
17. 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. After hearing the arguments from Ms. Diaz and Attorney Gatison, Atty. Rose asked that he get permission from Ms. Diaz to view her worker?s compensation file. Ms. Diaz gave the ok and will need to sign a release form for Atty. Rose to have access to the file.
ii. The Commission also explained that by changing Ms. Diaz retirement date back to her June 1, 2011 date she may have an overpayment.
iii. Mr. Carey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Poulin to table Ms. Diaz?s request until the October 2016 meeting.
iv. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to table Ms. Diaz?s request until the October 2016 meeting.

Executive Session
Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into executive session at 9:10 a.m. Ms. Halpin, Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Rose, and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session to discuss item 1.

1. Additional CMERS Suspension- written legal opinion. Discussion and possible action.
i. Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to accept the two recommendations of the Legal and Personnel subcommittee to suspend the pensions of Diann Patterson and Marie McKay.
ii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to suspend the pensions of Diann Patterson and Marie McKay.

Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into executive session at 9:15 a.m. Ms. Halpin, Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Rose, and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session to discuss item 2.

2. January 1, 2017 CMERS Non-Reinstatement- written legal opinion- discussion and possible action.
i. At 9:43 a.m., Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Mr. Carey that in accordance with the Legal and Personnel subcommittee to instruct the Division to not reinstate the suspended CMERS pensions in January 2017 individuals that were out of compliance in 2015-2016. The individuals are Joseph Maturo, Marilynn Cruz-Aponte, Richard Belden, Halina Fajer-Wolczacki, Betsey Mauri, Judith Nagle, Kim Walton, John Harkins III, Lance Helms, Cheryl Maturah, Hector Ramos, Sara Seney, Timothy Webb, John Lupo and Charles Leavens.
ii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to instruct the Division to not reinstate the suspended CMERS pensions in January 2017 of the above individuals.

Mr. Greatorex moved, seconded by Mr. Fortier to go into executive session at 9:46 a.m. Ms. Halpin, Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Rose, and Attorney Cieslak were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session to discuss items 3-10.

3. CMERS Non-Responders- written legal opinion-discussion and possible action.
i. At 10:11 a.m., Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. McLellan for the Commission to instruct the Division to begin suspension procedures for individuals that did not respond.
ii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to instruct the Division to begin suspension procedures for individuals that did not respond.
4. Webb Request for Reconsideration- written legal opinion- discussion and possible action.
i. At 10:12 a.m., Mr. Coffey moved, seconded by Ms. Brown-Brewton to deny Mr. Webb?s request for reconsideration to suspend his pension because the town of Ellington is in CMERS.
ii. The Commission voted unanimously in favor to deny Mr. Webb?s request for reconsideration to suspend his pension.

5. Bouchard- pending litigation- Update (no motion made)
6. Brown - pending litigation - Update. (no motion made)
7. Maturo - pending litigation - Update. (no motion made)
8. Carver - pending litigation - Update. (no motion made)
9. Walenski - pending litigation - Update. (no motion made)
10. Etim - pending litigation - Update. (no motion made)

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Ms. Brown-Brewton moved, seconded by Mr. Coffey to adjourn at 11:06 a.m. The Commission voted unanimously to adjourn.

 

Respectfully Submitted by:

__________________________________
Peter Adomeit, Chairman

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Prepared by Brenda K. Halpin
Director Retirement Service Division
 

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