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Annual Insurance Hearing Draws Retirees

Annual Insurance Hearing Draws Retirees

FEBRUARY 1, 2012: Over 100 employees and retirees attended today’s annual public hearing of the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) held in Minihan Hall at the Lindemann Center.

Dolores Mitchell, Executive Director of the GIC, presented an extensive update of all commission activities and an estimated projection of future needs and costs.

Mitchell started by pointing out that the Commonwealth could be under some pressure from the added costs of Federal health care reform.

2011: DOWN YEAR FOR STATE PENSION FUND

JANUARY 25, 2012: Year 2011 was not a good year for the Commonwealth’s Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) Fund.

Data released at this month’s Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board meeting show that the $47.4 billion fund barely creeped into the black with an earnings of 0.26 last year.

After strongly recovering from a disastrous Year 2008 when the Fund lost -29.50% of its value, followed by earnings of 17.06% in Year 2009 and 13.56% in Year 2010, the Fund was a victim of the worldwide market slump last year.

ESSEX BOARD NOW COMPLETE

ESSEX BOARD NOW COMPLETE

PERAC Approves Vincent Malgeri as 5th Member

JANUARY 23, 2012: Today, the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) approved the fifth and final member of the Essex Regional (County) Retirement Board.

MASS. TAXPAYERS FOUNDATION: UNTIMELY ASSAULT ON MUNICIPAL HEALTH COSTS

MASS. TAXPAYERS FOUNDATION: UNTIMELY ASSAULT ON MUNICIPAL HEALTH COSTS

JANUARY 13, 2012: Yesterday, January 12th the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) under its ubiquitous leader Michael Widmer unleashed an untimely attack on municipal health insurance costs.

A brief summary of the report was included in today’s Boston Globe, including a response by Shawn Duhamel, Legislative Liaison of our Association and Ed Kelly, President of the Professional Firefighters Union.

ACTION AT THE TEACHERS’ BOARD

ACTION AT THE TEACHERS’ BOARD

2 New Members and a 3rd Scheduled

UPDATED: JANUARY 13, 2012: There’s been action aplenty over the past two months at the seven-member Teachers’ Retirement Board.

A December election has seen incumbent Karen Mitchell top a five candidate field in winning a second four-year term on the Board.

Finishing second and also winning a four-year term on the Board was Dennis Naughton, a retired 38-year Millis teacher.

KERRY FILES WEP/GPO REPEAL BILL

KERRY FILES WEP/GPO REPEAL BILL

Takes Lead In Senate With Maine’s Collins

JANUARY 10, 2012: Massachusetts Senator John Kerry has filed legislation calling for the full repeal of the dreaded Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). S2010, cosponsored by Republican Susan Collins of Maine, places Kerry in a leading role on the issue of Social Security fairness.

MORE MUNICIPALITIES EYE INSURANCE CHANGES

Heavy Activity on Cape Cod, South Shore and Nashoba Valley

DECEMBER 19, 2011: As 2012 approaches, the number of municipalities eyeing changes to their local health insurance plans is rapidly growing. In the past two weeks alone, the Association has had requests from 18 separate local entities seeking a retiree representative to the local Public Employee Committee (PEC).

STATE & TEACHER PENSIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL TO SEE

DECEMBER 6, 2012: If you are a retired state employee or teacher, the amount of your pension and former agency or workplace is now on the state-run “Open Checkbook” website available to anyone with a computer.

MEMBERS CAN RENEW 2012 DUES ONLINE

Member Management System Launched

NOVEMBER 28, 2011: For the convenience of our members, the Association is pleased to now offer the option for members to renew their annual Association dues online through a secure website portal. Members wishing to utilize this new feature should click here to proceed.

RETIREMENT BOARD MEMBER RECEIVED MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION ON MONTH PRIOR TO DEATH

RETIREMENT BOARD MEMBER RECEIVED MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION ON MONTH PRIOR TO DEATH

NOVEMBER 27, 2011: On October 28, 2011, Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday proclaimed Franklin J.( Buddy) Spaulding Day in the City of Newburyport. The proclamation was issued in recognition of Buddy’s 26 years of service on the Newburyport Retirement Board.  The proclamation was issued just one month prior to his death on November 23, 2011.