Retirement Division July 19, 2012 MINUTES of Meeting Retirement Commission

MINUTES OF MEETING
STATE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT COMMISSION
55 ELM STREET
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106

August 23, 2012

TRUSTEES PRESENT
Peter R. Blum
Bob Baus
Charles Casella
Claude Poulin
Steve Greatorex
James Dzurenda
Ronald McLellan
Linda Yelmini
Thomas Culley
Sandra Fae Brown-Brewton
Sal Luciano
Michael Carey
Paul Fortier

TRUSTEES ABSENT
Richard Cosgrove
Robert Coffey

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Deputy Comptroller Martha Carlson
Lee Ann Palladino, CIO, Designee for State Treasurer Denise Nappier

MUNICIPAL LIAISON
Thomas Landry

OTHERS PRESENT
Brenda K. Halpin, Director, Retirement Services Division
Colin Newman, Asst. Director, Retirement Services Division
Kishore Solanki, Asst. Director, Retirement Services Division
Bonnie Price, Asst. Director, Retirement Services Division
Jeanne Kopek, Asst. Director, Retirement Services Division
Natalie Braswell, Assistant State Comptroller
Peggy Gray, Executive Secretary, Retirement Services Division

GUESTS
George Spurlock, CEIU
Tiffany Sharpley, ICE MILLER
Marybeth Braitman, ICE MILLER

CALL TO ORDER

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.

At 9:03 a.m. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini to suspend the order of business to allow ICE MILLER to give their presentation to the Commission in Executive Session. Colin Newman, Jeanne Kopek, Brenda Halpin, and Bonnie Price were asked to remain.

At 9:55 a.m. Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Ms. Yelmini to return to regular order of business. No motions were taken concerning the ICE MILLER presentation.

As a point of order Ms. Fae Brown-Brewton abstained from all voting since her Commission packet had not arrived to her in time for the meeting.

DIVISION DIRECTOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Following the close of the August 2012 retirement payroll, the current backlog of unfinalized retirement records is approximately 12, 917. The Division processed 108 new retirees (94 normal, 14 disabilities) to payroll for August. Finalizations for the month were 136.

Pending Disability Applications as of July 31, 2012

Applications not reviewed 107
Applications waiting for documentation 200
Applications Scheduled for upcoming meetings 86
Total Pending 393

For the Month of July

Number of Applications Received 20
Number of Applications on Agenda 21
Number of Applications Approved 8

The next available meeting for scheduling is November 2012.

We have received a Freedom of Information request from the press regarding the revocation of a disability retirement that occurred in 2011. The employee's name is David Leff. He is appealing the decision in through the normal procedure and the issue will be brought before you at the appropriate time.

Next week will be the one year anniversary that I have been in the Retirement Services Division. It has been a wonderful opportunity for me and I see great plans for the future of the division with changes to enhance the services we can provide and the efficiencies that we can create. However there have been a few challenges which you can't always plan for such as the loss of one of your employees. It is with deep sympathy that I have to report the loss of Josette Sumlin, at the age of 47 who worked in our Database Unit and had 23 years of State service who died unexpectedly Saturday, leaving her husband and 2 children, Giavonna, 12 years old and Kevin, Jr., 16 years old.

NEW MATTERS

1. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE JULY 19, 2012
MINUTES- Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the July 19, 2012 Minutes. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

2.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN'S PER DIEM EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENT - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Chairman's Per Diem Expenses reimbursements. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

3. REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM SERVICE RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2012 - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the State Employees Retirement System Service retirements for the month of July 2012. All voted in favor.

Majority Decision

4.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM DISABILITY RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2012 - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the State Employees Retirement System Disability retirements for the month of July 2012. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

5.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETROACTIVE RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2012 - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the State Employees Retirement System retroactive retirements for the month of July 2012. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

6.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES VOLUNTARY PENDING DISABILITY RETIREMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2012 - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the State Employees Voluntary Pending Disability retirements for the month of July 2012. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

7.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve the Municipal Employee Retirement System retirements. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

8.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE JUDGES, FAMILY SUPPORT MAGISTRATES AND COMPENSATION COMMISSIONERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTS SPOUSE RETIREMENTS - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to approve of the Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System Retirements Spouse retirements. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

9.REQUEST COMMISSION REVEW OF THE CONNECTICUT PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT FUND PERSONNEL EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2012 - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the month of June 2012. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

10.REQUEST COMMISSION REVIEW OF THE CONNECTICUT PROBATE JUDGES AND EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT FUND PERSONNEL EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2012 - Mr. Luciano moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to accept the Connecticut Probate Judges and Employees Retirement Fund Personnel Expenses for the month of July 2012. All voted in favor

Majority Decision

11.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION MANAGEMENT TRUSTEE'S PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2012 - Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Ms Brown-Brewton to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Management Trustee's Per Diem and Travel expenses reimbursements for the month of July 2012. All voted in favor Mr. Baus abstained

Majority Decision

12.REQUEST COMMISSION APPROVAL OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT COMMISSION UNION TRUSTEE'S PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2012 - Mr. Casella moved, seconded by Mr. Greatorex to approve the State Employees Retirement Commission Union Trustee's Per Diem and Travel expenses reimbursements for the month of July 2012. All voted in favor Mr. Poulin abstained

Majority Decision

Trustee Mr. Greatorex asked about an update with the Hybrid plan. The Retirement Division was asked to stay in touch with folks that are impacted for the month of August. An update will be provided by the Division Director for future Commission meetings on the progress of the Hybrid Plan.

Trustee Mr. Fortier asked about the part time school nurses issue. It needs to be clarified by the Purchasing Subcommittee members. A Subcommittee meeting will be scheduled.

Trustee Ms. Yelmini advised the Commission about an arbitration award for Hazard Duty. According to the SEBAC 2009 RIP members must have actual 20 years of service. Vacation or sick time does not factor into the 20 years of service.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Baus moved, seconded by Mr. Poulin to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 a.m.

_________________________ _______________________
Brenda K. Halpin, Director Peter R. Blum, Chair
Retirement Services Division

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