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Investing for Firefighters and Their Families® Investing for Firefighters and Their Families®

A PUBLICATION FOR THE

MEMBERS &BENEFICIARIES

OF THE HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS’ RELIEF AND RETIREMENT FUND

Summer 2020

Brett Besselman Chairman of the Board

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Fund Members,

COVID-19 has created an unprecedented situation affecting us all. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by the virus, directly or indirectly. Out of an abundance of caution, HFRRF continues to be proactive to protect our members & staff as we strive to provide the best service possible.

On behalf of everyone at the Fund, thank you for working with us through the pandemic. HFRRF has experienced an extremely high call volume so the launch of our new website could not have come at a better time. Months of hard work & dedication resulted in a powerful electronic tool that puts important resources at your fingertips. Our website is designed to be user-friendly so you can quickly & easily navigate to find answers to your questions. It also streamlines the process for benefit transactions. MemberDirect is a secure way to quickly access forms, update account details, view the member directory & register to receive email notifications. See “Ask Member Services” on page 4 for more details.

As the Texas Legislature prepares to enter the 87th Session facing many unknowns, the HFRRF Board is actively connecting with our government relations teams & state legislators to promote our priorities for the upcoming session. Don’t let people or organizations create anxiety around rumors. Get facts from a reliable news source & feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Speaking of the Board, it is time for another trustee election. Submit your nominations for positions III & IV, then don’t forget to vote. See pages 2 & 3 for election details. This year, the election process will include electronic communications so sign up for MemberDirect with your personal email if you haven’t already.

Difficult situations may reveal the worst in people, but they can also bring out the best. Houston is known for solidarity in the face of disaster & we will emerge a stronger, more united community. Be safe & support one another. HFRRF is here for you & we appreciate your patience & understanding as we navigate this challenging time together.

Happy summer!

Brett BesselmanChairman of the BoardHouston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund

www.hfrrf.org

Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund, created by state statute, gives the Board of Trustees the responsibility to serve as Plan Administrator. The ten-member board consists of five active firefighters, one retired firefighter, two citizen members, the city treasurer & the mayor or their appointed representative. Elections are held annually for expiring firefighter positions. The following is a summary of the upcoming election. This year, the election process will include electronic communications. If you are not currently enrolled in MemberDirect, see page 4 for more information.

Firefighter Trustee Positions up for ElectionPosition Term Begins Eligibility Requirements

III January 2021 Rank of District Chief, Deputy Chief or Assistant ChiefIV January 2021 Full-time Fire Prevention or Fire Investigation, not Suppression Division

Nominations By July 1, members are notified of the upcoming election by HFRRF Summer Red Line Newsletter, HFRRF website (www.hfrrf.org) & HFD email system. To make a nomination, members submit a form that states who is being nominated and by whom. Members can submit their own nomination. The nomination form is available for download on www.hfrrf.org or may be picked up at HFRRF. Deliver signed forms to HFRRF or email to HFRRFelections@hfrrf.org. All nomination forms must be received at HFRRF during normal business hours August 1 – 21 (3rd Friday in August.)

Nominees Members are notified of their nomination. To be included as a candidate on the ballot, nominees must submit Accept/Decline Nomination & Financial Disclosure Forms. Members who nominate themselves are automatically placed on the ballot unless their Financial Disclosure Form is not received. Nominees may submit a one-page election profile to be distributed with ballots. Required forms must be received at HFRRF during normal business hours by August 28 (five business days following nominee notification.)

Voting Voting is conducted by secret ballot through an independent auditor/election service. Each ballot is individually numbered & paper ballots cannot be reproduced. The service sends ballots, candidate profiles & voting instructions to all eligible members via email & USPS first class mail. Votes may be cast electronically or by a mailed paper ballot. Ballots containing a write-in candidate will not be counted. All ballots must be received by the service October 1 - 19 (three weeks following ballot mail-out.)

Run-OffShould a candidate for election fail to secure a majority of votes cast, a run-off election is held. The two candidates receiving the largest number of votes are eligible for the run-off & must submit a new Accept/Decline Nomination Form to the Fund within five business days. Ballots will be mailed/emailed to eligible voters. Run-off ballots must be received by the service November 2 – 23.

ResultsThe independent auditor/election service certifies election results for trustee positions to the HFRRF Board of Trustees. Election results will be announced on October 20 & run-off results November 24. HFRRF posts election results on www.hfrrf.org.

Mark your calendar & be sure to vote!

2020 TRUSTEE ELECTION

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2020 TRUSTEE ELECTION SCHEDULE

The election process begins in July for trustee positions that will expire on or before January 1 of the following year. Regular voting ends & winners are announced in late-October. If a run-off is required, the process may last another month. (Special elections may be conducted at any time for vacant positions.)

Deadline Election Event Run-off7/1 Call for Nominations

8/1 - 8/21 Nomination Forms Accepted8/28 Nominee Paperwork Due8/28 Election Meeting 10/279/28 Ballot Mail-out

10/1 - 10/19 Voting 11/2 - 11/2310/20 Results Announced 11/24

PENSION PAYMENT DISBURSEMENTDirect Deposit monthly pension payments are scheduled by HFRRF’s custodian, BNY Mellon. The funds should reach your bank account by the last business day of the month.

Paper Checks are mailed by BNY Mellon’s Pittsburgh office on the 3rd business day before the end of the month.

If you are interested in changing from mailed paper checks to direct deposit, call HFRRF Member Services at 281-372-5100.

DROP/PROP STATEMENTS

Quarterly

DROP/PROP Statements

WILL NO LONGER BE MAILED

Mail DatesJuly 29August 27September 28October 28November 25December 29

Members can access statements 24/7 via MemberDirect. For more information, see page 4.

www.hfrrf.org

2020 KEY DATES

BOARD MEETINGS: 3rd Tuesday every month

OFFICE CLOSINGS:Friday, July 3 Independence Day

Monday, September 7 Labor Day

Monday, October 12 Columbus Day

Wednesday, November 11 Veterans Day

Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving Day

Friday, November 27 Thanksgiving Friday

Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Friday, December 25 Christmas Day

NOON CLOSURES:Friday, September 4

Friday, October 9

Wednesday, November 25

Wednesday, December 23

Thursday, December 31

AUGUSTS M T W T F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

JULYS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

SEPTEMBERS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

OCTOBERS M T W T F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

DECEMBERS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

NOVEMBERS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

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www.hfrrf.org Page 4

QUESTION: I AM ON GENERAL ON-DUTY DISABILITY PENSION. WHEN ARE MY 2019 TAX FORMS DUE TO HFRRF?ANSWER: Due to challenges with COVID-19, the Board extended the deadline for submitting forms & tax returns to July 30, 2020.

QUESTION: IF I TURNED 70½ BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2020, DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION (RMD)?ANSWER: Yes. Only those who turn 70½ on or after January 1, 2020 can defer their RMD until age 72.

QUESTION: DO I HAVE TO GET MY DROP & PROP FORMS NOTARIZED? ANSWER: Yes. The notary requirement was only waived during the period of pandemic non-essential travel restrictions as a way to help serve our members.

QUESTION: IS THERE STILL A FREEZE ON THE COLA? ANSWER: Beginning October 2020, any retiree age 55+ or on general disability at any age is entitled to a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) up to a max of 4% based on the most recent five-year smoothed return minus 4.75%. By law, COLA is determined by the Fund’s actuary.

QUESTION: DO I HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BEFORE GOING TO THE PENSION OFFICE? ANSWER: We love to see our members & it is our sincere pleasure to serve you. However, at this time, we are only accepting limited appointments for those who have special circumstances.

Please help us serve you best by using MemberDirect (My Account) for direct depositupdates, DROP/PROP withdrawals, change of address & paystub information. You can also access forms & other member information when you log in.

QUESTION: WILL THERE BE A RETIREE CHRISTMAS EVENT THIS YEAR? ANSWER: The status of this year’s Retiree Christmas Luncheon is uncertain at this time. When a decision is made, notices will be sent to retirees who are registered to receive emails from the Fund.

QUESTION: HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM REGISTERED TO RECEIVE FUND EMAILS?

ANSWER: Go to www.hfrrf.org & to your account. Select Personal Information. Check the News & Events Preference Box . You will only receive email notifications when the box is checked. Please register your personal email for notifications. If you don’t remember your login name or password, call Member Services at 281-372-5100.

QUESTION: WHAT IS MemberDirect & HOW DO I SET UP MY MemberDirect? ANSWER: To learn more about MemberDirect, watch the video on www.hfrrf.org (bottom of the page.)

To set up an account, then Enroll. Now, click the words Request an Enrollment PIN. PIN will be mailed to you. When you have your PIN, click Login, Enroll, type in your PIN & finish setting up your account. Save your username & password! Call Member Services if you need assistance.

ASK MEMBER SERVICES

www.hfrrf.org Page 5

IN MEMORY

Our condolences & heartfelt sympathies to the families of the following members who recently passed away:

ACTIVES DATE OF DEATH

HFD SERVICE

Joseph Robinson 5/22/20 2004 - 2020

RETIREES

Garry King 1/15/20 1979 - 2004

Joe Pierce 2/12/20 1959 - 1989

Lon Palmer 2/22/20 1962 - 1985

James Soukup 2/27/20 1978 - 2016

Samuel Lowdermilk 3/19/20 1951 - 1979

Jerome Matthews 4/7/20 1959 - 1983

Jerry Taylor 4/11/20 1964 - 1985

William Kratz 4/12/20 1966 - 1977

Paul Kratz 4/14/20 1966 - 1993

Carl Newman 4/27/20 1974 - 2003

Maurice Dumas 4/29/20 1964 - 1986

Marcus Lane 5/18/20 1975 - 2007

W. W. Hausinger 6/6/20 1955 - 1976

BENEFICIARIES

Loreen Johnson 2/14/20

Pauline McRae 4/1/20

Judy Reeves Blackmon 4/7/20

Frances Byers Shepherd 4/22/20

Delthea Stutzman 5/28/20

MEMORIAL CEREMONY

March 7, 2020

www.hfrrf.org Page 6

BIG HOUSTON HEARTSLocal companies, restaurants, bakeries, caterers, schools, community groups & individuals have shown their support for our members during the pandemic. They provided food, beverages, sanitizer & personal protective equipment.

William Price Distilling Company opened their new facility during the pandemic, but they aren’t producing premium spirits. The local craft distillery is bottling one of the most coveted commodities in town: Hand Sanitizer! On a mission to keep Houston safe, they have committed to producing & giving away hand sanitizer to first responders, front line workers & residents as long as there is a need for it. So far, they have distributed over 5,000 gallons including 2 cases donated to HFRRF.

HFD has also received numerous PPE donations including 5,000 masks from Gracie Liu, a local high school student, who raised money for the purchase through a Go Fund Me account; 6,000 masks from Ngoc Bao Pham, Ai Hien & VietTV; masks & thermometers from Dr. Shah & Indian Doctors Association Greater Houston; masks from Rep. Gene Wu & the Houston Tsinghua Alumni Associaton; masks from Elite Care 24 Hour Emergency Center; PPE supplies from Asian American Chamber of Commerce; & face shields made & given by Harmony School of Excellence.

Thank you, Houston!

HFRRF AWARDED “CERTIFICATE OF TRANSPARENCY”

The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) recognizes public pension plans that are working to improve transparency and communication to the general public. The NCPERS Public Retirement Systems Study publishes the latest information on participants’ plan design, investment allocation & returns, actuarial assumptions & plan governance practices in order to inform & educate. HFRRF received a Certificate of Transparency for participation in the latest NCPERS Public Retirement Systems Study (2019).

Chairman Besselman with Zach Hiller, VP of William Price Distilling Company

www.hfrrf.org Page 7

FUND EMPLOYEE NEWS

Happy HFRRF Work Anniversary

Name Title Month Celebrating

Claudia McInnis Director of Finance & Administration July 20 years

Andrea Sharayha Director of Human Resources October 10 years

Ajit Singh Chief Investment Officer October 5 years

2020HURRICANE SEASON June 1st - November 30th

Planning for hurricane season will be different because of the pandemic. This year, we must protect ourselves from wind, water & COVID-19. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a busy season with 13 - 19 named storms including 6 - 10 hurricanes of which 3- 6 could become major hurricanes.

PREPARE If you haven’t already, update your disaster plan now & gather essential supplies. In addition to the usual important documents, food, water, medicine, radio, flashlight, batteries & pet supplies, add face masks, hand sanitizer & disinfecting wipes to your emergency kit.

REGISTER for AlertHouston, the city’s emergency alert system. You will receive real-time weather alerts as well as storm recovery information.

GAS UP the car & map out evacuation routes. Where will you go? Some community shelters are closed due to COVID-19 so take time to find one near you before you need it. Text SHELTER & your zipcode to 43362 for locations (Example SHELTER 77032). Houston’s OEM website houstonemergency.org has links to Red Cross for shelter locations, FEMA disaster assistance & STEAR where you can register for help in the event of a disaster.

REVIEW the disaster plan with everyone in your home. Also, make sure they all know the safest place to be in your house during a storm.

STAY SAFE after a hurricane. Follow social distancing recommendations & wear a mask. Wash your hands when possible & use hand sanitizer when you can’t use soap & water. For recovery information, go to the website www.houstonrecovers.org. Keep yourself & your family safe this hurricane season!

Don’t wait for a disaster to strike!

Prepare your emergency kit today!

Sign up for alerts now!

PROTECT YOURSELF

PROTECT YOURSELF

FINANCIAL FRAUD Have you ever noticed a bank withdrawal or credit card charge on your account that you did not authorize? If it is fraudulent, your finances have been invaded!

1. ACT FAST According to Nicole Spagnuolo, VP forfinancial crimes risk management at Charles Schwab,“Swift action is critical when it comes to stopping fraud.”So, contact your financial institution right away. Installantivirus software & change passwords.

2. GO WIDE Monitor all of your accounts. Cyberthieves use your stolen credentials to access otheraccounts. This is credential reply/stuffing. It is a goodidea to change passwords on all financial accounts thathave the same/similar usernames/passwords. Create aunique login for each account. Do not reuse passwords.

3. STAY ALERT Set up account alerts so you arenotified when new transactions post. Regularly reviewyour statements & credit reports. You can freeze yourcredit with all three credit agencies to prevent someonefrom opening a new account in your name.

4. DOUBLE UP Add extra layers of security. Two-factor authentication requires a single-use code inaddition to your username/password each time you login. Biometric recognition uses your face, fingerprint orvoice to access your account.

5. GO THE EXTRA MILE File an identity theftreport at identitytheft.gov. This allows you to place anextended fraud alert on your credit report & protectsyou from fraudulent debt collection.

Charles Schwabb I ONWARD I Summer 2020

www.hfrrf.org Page 8

Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund4225 Interwood North ParkwayHouston, Texas 77032-3866

RED LINE PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDN. Houston, TX

Permit No. 4224

HOU STON F I R E F IG H T E R S’ R E L I E F A N D R ET I R E M E N T F U N D

HFRRF’s mission is to provide a secure retirement benefit plan for our members through professional administration, prudent management of system assets,

sound investment practices, and prompt and courteous delivery of accurate benefits and useful information.

HFRRF Board of Trustees Brett Besselman Chairman Stephen Whitehead Vice Chairman Lisa Slagle Secretary Gerard Daniels Active Member Pete Ng Active Member David Riegor Active Member David Lantrip Retired Member Al Mays Citizen Member Arif Rasheed City Treasurer Designee Earnest Wotring Mayor’s Representative

HFRRF Executive DirectorRalph Marsh