CalRTA

Officers Needed!

stacey — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:05:21 +0000

We need your help in filling our board. Insurance Chair, Bill Wewer, and Treasurer Thom Conrad are both leaving us as of June 30, and YOU can help! Please contact President Robert Kennedy if you are willing to serve. Thank … Continue reading →

From Contact Magazine

stacey — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:04:09 +0000

Representatives of several groups, all interested in combining to address the attacks on public pensions, met together in February. They will continue to meet regularly, exploring the best ways to work as partners in safeguarding our retirement system. The following groups were represented:
ACSA-Retired, CTA-R/NEA, UTLA-Retired, U of San Francisco-Retired, and CalRTA. Please be aware that more information can be found in the CalRTA Contact Magazine, and on the CalRTA Website, CalRTA.org.

CalRTA Examines Governor’s 12-Point Pension Proposal

stacey — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:11:54 +0000

Late last year Governor Brown released his 12-Point Pension Proposal. Following is CalRTA’s review of the issues that could affect CalSTRS members, though it’s worth noting that the most significant issue affecting CalSTRS, adequacy of funding for future benefit payments, was not addressed in the plan.

1. Equal Sharing of Pension Costs: All Employees and Employers
The eight percent that educators currently contribute to CalSTRS is slightly less than 50 percent of the annual cost of benefits but it could be an unconstitutional impairment of contract to increase the current employee contribution without a comparable new benefit.

2. “Hybrid” Risk-Sharing Pension Plan: New Employees
CalSTRS already has a hybrid plan with the Defined Benefit Plan and the Defined Benefit Supplement Plan. CalRTA believes the CalSTRS hybrid plan works well for CalSTRS members and would oppose a change in the current system.

3. Increase Retirement Age: New Employees
CalSTRS already has its maximum benefit formula at age 63. CalRTA believes CalSTRS is an appropriately structured plan for its workforce and opposes a change to age 67.

4. Require Three-Year Final Compensation to Stop Spiking: New Employees
CalRTA is concerned this provision could penalize educators who leave private industry mid-career to teach (i.e. mathematics, science and career technical education classes). These teachers already face Social Security penalties once they retire and receive their CalSTRS benefits. (Read about these penalties – the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset – which CalRTA is fighting – online.) CalSTRS currently allows highest year compensation after 25 years of service as a way to encourage people who transfer into public education employment to stay in the classroom longer.

5. Calculate Benefits Based on Regular, Recurring Pay to Stop Spiking: New Employees
CalRTA supports this change to ensure that spiking is eliminated.

6. Limit Post-Retirement Employment. All Employees
CalSTRS does not collect hourly or daily employment data on its members. It only collects pay information. CalRTA supports converting the 120-day post-retirement employment limit into a post-retirement earnings limit for CalSTRS retirees that can be tracked by CalSTRS.

Analysis of the remaining items in the proposal are available online.

Scholarship Foundation Information

stacey — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:13:15 +0000

Division 41’s Scholarship Foundation awards ten $500 scholarships each year to Cal State Fullerton students who are preparing to be teachers. Chosen by the college, each candidate is invited to attend our annual Spring Luncheon, where they share their plans and goals for work in the education field. We are always impressed by these wonderful young men and women.

Members and friends of Division 41 are invited to participate in this effort through donations in memory or in honor of a friend or family member, through the raffles held at our meetings, or by becoming a member of the Scholarship Board.

At present there are five board members: Viva Palumbo, President; Linda Moore, Treasurer; and Leah Beattie, Jo Menely, and Bill Wewer. The Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit 401(c)3 corporation licensed by the state of California, and contributions are tax-deductible.