Retirement Division February 15, 2018 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 February 15, 2018 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:

Call to Order

Chairman Adomeit called the meeting to order at 9:12 a.m.

Chairman's Report

There was no chairman?s report.

Division Director's Report

Disability Retirements

Pending Disability Applications as of 11/2017 12/2017 1/2018 2/2018
Pending Applications 416 384 373 362
Applications preliminary reviewed 168 156 140 112
Applications waiting for documentation 248 228 233 250
Applications scheduled 67 68 92 101
Total Pending 483 452 465 463
 
Number of Applications Received 9 11 6 19
Number of Applications on the Agenda 19 18 21 24
Number of Application Approved 9 10 15 16
24-Month Review Cases
On the list for 24-Month Review (Past and Future) 294 288 238 251
Collecting SSD 60 60 35 50
Part of the Backlog 24 22 0 5
Not Collecting SSD 234 228 203 201
Part of the Backlog 160 164 112 106
MEB Scheduled 24 27 7 18
 
ARP to Hybrid Retirements
Retirees 0 0 0 0
Prospective 0 0 0 0
Transfer 5 5 5 5
Waiver 0 0 0 0
Total 5 5 5 5
 
Audited and sent invoices 4 42 11 5
Total Outstanding to be audited 522 485 476 476
         
Retirees 508 509 519
Prospective 5 5 5
Transfer 1473 1478 1475
Waiver 9 9 9
Total 1995 2001 2008
         
Retirements Processed 99 94 164 169
Regular 79 77 144 148
Voluntary Pending 5 2 7 4
New Disability 7 5 7 10
Disability Finalized 8 7 6 7

Mr. Herrington gave an overview of the areas that the Division continues to work on. In addition to finalizing RFPs for actuarial services and working to perfect the call center there are four major areas that the Division is focusing on. The Division is finalizing a plan by using the existing resources to leverage the new technology to advance the pension module. The Division also continues to focus on the implementation of the SAG award and updating the SAG award, ARP and Hybrid estimators. The Division is finalizing the Tier 4 changes to address the catch-up for the defined benefit piece and working through the implementation of the defined contribution piece. Lastly, the Division is finalizing the annual letters informing the MERS-participating municipalities of the annual rates for the July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 fiscal year.

Deputy Comptroller Carlson gave an update on the pension module. The Division continues to work with a few Accenture staff to code and implement the defined contribution portion of the new Tier 4 plan. However in regards to the full pension module the Accenture team has fully rolled off and the warranty has ended.

New Matters
 
1. Request Commission Approval of the January 18, 2018 minutes.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to approve the January 18, 2018 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 January 18, 2018 minutes.
 
2. Request Commission Approval of the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman?s Per Diem Expenses.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey 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 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee?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?s Claude Poulin Per Diem and Travel Expenses.
 
4. Request Commission Acceptance of the February 2018 Invoices from Rose Kallor.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the billing from Rose Kallor.
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 February 2018 invoices from Rose Kallor.
 
5. Request Commission Acceptance of the February 2018 Billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey 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 February 2018 billing from Robinson and Cole for Federal Tax Matters.
 
6. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Service Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
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 January 2018.
 
7. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the Connecticut State Employees Retirement System Voluntary Pending Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
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 January 2018.
 
8. Request Commission Approval of the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the Connecticut State Employees System Disability Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
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 January 2018.
 
9. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
i. At 9:35 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the Municipal Retirement System Retirements for the Month of January 2018.
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 January 2018.
 
10. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Approval of Continued Entitlement.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey 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.
 
11. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Denial of Continued Entitlement.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to accept the Recommendations by the Medical Examining Board for the Denial 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 Denial of Continued Entitlement.
 
12. Request Commission Approval of the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved by the Medical Examining Board.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the Municipal Retirement System Disability Retirements Approved 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 Denied by the Medical Examining Board.
 
13. 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. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve 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 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.

14. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
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 February 2018.
 
15. Request Commission Approval of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Carey to approve the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Spouse Retirement System Retirements for February 2018.
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 February 2018.
 
16. Request Commission Approval of the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period December 8, 2017 Through January 4, 2018.
i. At 9:36 a.m., Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the Pay Period December 8, 2017 Through January 4, 2018.
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 December 8, 2017 Through January 4, 2018.
 
17. David Dalpe Freedom of Information Request - For Discussion.
i. At 9:37, Mr. Luciano explained to the Commission that Mr. Dalpe was looking for the Retirement Commission meeting minutes that discussed when the 415 date was determined by the Commission. Attorney Braswell explained that Mr. Dalpe was in receipt of that information and there was another FOI request that he made asking for the invoices from Robinson and Cole for Attorney Barth.
ii. Mr. Dalpe?s second FOI request was discussed and it was found that the Commission if the Commission provided that information to Mr. Dalpe that it would be heavily redacted to protect attorney client privilege.
 
18. Request Commission Acceptance of the Recommendations of its Actuarial Subcommittee to accept the Request for Proposals for the (1) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services for the State Employees Retirement System, the Judges, Family Support Magistrates, and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System and the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System; (2) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services Municipal Employees Retirement System Policemen and Firemen Survivor?s Benefit Fund and (3) Accounting Services to Complete GASB 68 Compliance Audit rendered on February 14, 2018.

i. At 9:49 a.m., Mr. Poulin moved, seconded by Mr. Casella to accept the Recommendations of its Actuarial Subcommittee to accept the Request for Proposals for the (1) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services for the State Employees Retirement System, the Judges, Family Support Magistrates, and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System and the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System; (2) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services Municipal Employees Retirement System Policemen and Firemen Survivor?s Benefit Fund and (3) Accounting Services to Complete GASB 68 Compliance Audit rendered on February 14, 2018.
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 of its Actuarial Subcommittee to accept the Request for Proposals for the (1) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services for the State Employees Retirement System, the Judges, Family Support Magistrates, and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System and the Probate Judges and Employees Retirement System; (2) Actuarial Valuation and Consulting Services Municipal Employees Retirement System Policemen and Firemen Survivor?s Benefit Fund and (3) Accounting Services to Complete GASB 68 Compliance Audit rendered on February 14, 2018.

Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to go into executive session at 9:46 a.m. Mr. Harrington, Mr. Newman, Attorney Braswell, Attorney Rose and Attorney Sullivan were invited by the Commission to stay for executive session.
 

Executive Session

  1. SAG Award Update - written legal opinion - discussion.
  2. Debbie Sullivan appeal of MEB decision - written legal opinion and possible action.
  3. Thompson - pending litigation - discussion.
  4. Carol Walenski - pending litigation - discussion.
  5. David Carter - pending litigation - discussion.
  6. Bouchard - pending litigation - discussion.
  7. Ronald Johnson - pending litigation - discussion.
  8. Gary Soracchi - pending litigation - discussion.

Public Session

At 10:22 a.m., Mr. Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Casella for the full Commission to accept the recommendations of the legal and personnel subcommittee in the Sullivan matter to remand the matter back to the MEB with direction to consider the ?combined effects? of the applicant to determine whether she was disabled under the statutory definitions at the time of her retirement.

Adjournment

With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to adjourn at 10:23 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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