Second Period

Second Period…1990-1991

1990 & 1991

The new officers and expanded Board are identified on Page 1b and they took office on the first of January. At their first board meeting they reviewed what direction they were going over the next two years, and one of the first items that was needed to be addressed was the bonding of officers as outlined in the new By-Laws. This was accomplished on March 9, 1990 with the bonding of each officer in the amount of $2,000 for three years. The total cost of this contract was $200.

At the spring meeting on May 19, 1990 the president Jim Jester again reviewed the major changes in the newly adopted Constitution and By Laws. He also noted that many retirees had received notices from AFSCME urging them to join the state wide association with annual dues of $12.00. He said that it was CMERA’s opinion that our association could serve them better and more economically, since we already had a member on the CRS Board and monitored the system’s activities constantly.

One of the things the new officers were interested in obtaining was some idea as to where all of the retirees and beneficiaries resided. It was felt that this information might be helpful as they pursued improvements to the retirement system. The following tabulation shows the state ranking by number of retirees and beneficiaries.

• New Mexico: 2
• Washington: 2
• Oklahoma: 2
• New Hampshire: 1
• Louisiana: 1
• Maine: 1
• Arkansas: 1
• Kansas: 1
• Massachusetts: 1
• Minnesota: 1
• Nevada: 1
• Total: 3,882

On June 1, 1990 the Board sent a letter prepared by Omer Trippel to the CRS’s Benefit Committee requesting another increase for the older retirees. This letter outlined in great detail statistical information justifying why those who retired before 1985 needed this increase. The increase would be 2 ½ % for each year retired before 1985 with a maximum of 25% like the previous increase. The letter also identified how this could be financed since the funds assets currently exceeded $900,000,000.

At the fall meeting on October 27, 1990, it was noted that the Benefits Committee had provided the Board with a copy of William Mercer’s cost estimate for the recently requested benefit, together with dental and vision costs. This info was evaluated by Omer and he said it seemed high in his opinion, but we should continue to pursue these benefits. All agreed that this should be a high priority item on the Board’s agenda.

The membership was also informed that for years our 1099-R forms incorrectly included our Medicare reimbursement as part of the taxable income. Therefore we were paying tax on this reimbursement even though it was not a taxable income. The Board was advised that this matter would be looked into by the CRS. Ballots had also been sent out for the election of a Vice President and Secretary. Irv Hoffman and Mary Acree were elected but unfortunately Mary passed away shortly thereafter and Myrtle Stickels took her place.

At the May 18, 1991 meeting it was noted that CMERA was successful in having the Medicare reimbursements removed from the 1099-R forms, and this correction would be reflected on the 1099-R form for 1991 that is received in January 1992. Everyone was also advised that efforts were going forward in pursuing additional benefits.

At the fall meeting on October 26, 1991 the membership was advised that there were considerable complaints about the way CMERA had a lock on the procedure for placing a retiree member on the CRS Board of Trustees. Because of these concerns, CMERA was working with the retirement system in order to develop a more acceptable procedure, and this new procedure should be before Council shortly.

On November 27, 1991 Council adopted Ordinance No. 481-1991 revising the procedure for placing a retired member on the CRS Board of Trustees. It was generally agreed that an election process would better serve the system rather than the current procedure where CMERA alone made the nominations. This ordinance made that change and gave the Board of Trustees the authority to develop the necessary rules and regulations to accomplish this revision. CMERA continued to help develop the new system that permitted any person receiving benefits could be nominated for this position if that nomination was supported by at least twenty-five retiree signatures.