REAVC PRESIDENT’S LETTER By Nancy Settle on the 2018 ballot. This is good news but DeMaio-Reed are predicting or hoping the political sentiment in the next couple of years may be more in line with their thinking of eradicating defined benefit pensions. I find this hard to believe. On the contrary, more corporations and big business should be offering pensions to their employees. Many corporations can certainly afford to do this. Thanks to our REAVC Board and Executive Assistant for attending to REAVC business while I am away. Read on for other important news and events and please join us at the next REAVC Luncheon. Warm Regards.

 CRCEA By  Jim  Crow  

 At  our  December  board  meeting  one  of  the  members  wanted  to  know  what  CRCEA  is.    I  thought  a  general  explanation  would  be  of  interest  to  the  members  of  our  association’s  newsletter.    CRCEA  stands  for  the  CALIFORNIA  RETIRED  EMPLOYEES  ASSOCIATION.    This  organization  represents  150,000  retired  county  employees  from  twenty  counties  in  California.    All  the  major  population  centers,  including  Ventura  County,  are  represented  in  the  association.    This  organization  takes  an  active  part  in  monitoring  legislation  that  could  change  the  retirement  system  or  change  retiree  benefits.    Each  year  the  association  holds  two  conferences,  one  at  a  Northern  County  and  one  in  a  Southern  County.    On  a  rotating  schedule  each  County  hosts  the  conference.    The  next  conference  will  be  in  

Bakersfield  in  April  2016.    Ventura  is  scheduled  to  be  the  host  County  in  2017.    At  the  conference  delegates  are  apprised  of  State  and  local  retirement  issues,  and  through  the  association  committees,  delegates  are  advised  of  strategies  to  oppose  proposed  legislation  that  would,  and  could,  impact  our  retirement  system.    At  the  conferences  there  are  always  speakers  that  cover  a  variety  of  topics  that  are  interesting  and  informative  and  are  of  general  interest.    For  example,  at  a  recent  conference  a  speaker  discussed  the  history  of  earthquakes  in  California.        All  retirees  are  welcome  and  urged  to  attend  these  conferences.    For  more  information  CRCEA  has  a  website  at  www.crcea.org    

           Editor  Linda  Wyatt  Jorgenson  

           Email  info@reavc.org  

Retired  Employees  Association  of  Ventura  County,  Inc.  P  O  Box  7231,  Ventura  CA  93006    Telephone:  805/644-­‐7814  

“DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SERVED” January/February  2016  

R E A V C

My letter will be brief. The New Year has found my husband and I onboard our sailboat headed to Panama City. Since leaving El Salvador and finding some refuge in the small town of Boca Chica, Panama, we have managed to gain occasional internet connection with a flash drive, a contract with Claro and proximity to a cell tower. I send you a warm New Year’s Greetings from afar. It’s a warm 93-94 degrees Fahrenheit every day. My swollen ankles have not adjusted to the heat but we have survived so far without a mutiny or keel haul. The news on the Pension Reform front is that both DeMaio-Reed Ballot measures have been withdrawn from the 2016 ballot and instead may appear

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LUNCHEON

By Ray Holzer VERY  IMPORTANT:     IF  YOU  PLAN  TO  ATTEND  OUR  NEXT  LUNCHEON  MAY  3,  2016,  YOU  MUST  MAKE  YOUR  RESERVATION  PRIOR  TO  NOON  APRIL  26,  2016.  IF  YOU  WERE  AT  THE  LAST  LUNCHEON  YOU  WILL  RECALL  I  MADE  A  LITTLE  SPEECH  REGARDING  CALLING  AFTER  THE  DEADLINE  AND  JUST  AS  BAD,  NOT  MAKING  A  RESERVATION  AND  SHOWING  UP  FOR  LUNCH.  TIMELY  RESERVATIONS  ARE  IMPORTANT.    PRIOR  TO  THE  LUNCHEON  I  MUST  ADVISE  THE  PAVILION,  AND  THE  CATERER  HOW  MANY  WILL  BE  SERVED.  WE  ALSO  DO  NAME  TAGS.  IT  REQUIRES  QUITE  A  BIT  OF  EFFORT  ON  YOUR  BOARD’S  PART  TO  PUT  ON  THESE  EVENTS,  AS  I  SAID  IT  IS  LIKE  DOING  FOUR  WEDDINGS  A  YEAR!  YOUR  COOPERATION  IS  APPRECIATED.     Sorry  about  my  rant,  but  for  the  last  few  luncheons  we  have  been  having  problems  and  you  needed  to  know.  And,  thank  you  to  the  great  majority  of  our  members  who  do  the  right  thing.     At  our  last  luncheon,  our  speaker,  Marcy  Snider,  Program  Coordinator  for  the  Adult  Protective  Services,  Human  Services  Agency,  County  of  Ventura  gave  a  lively  talk  about  the  many  issues  facing  seniors.  If  you  have  any  questions  or  feel  someone  needs  assistance  you  can  call  them  24  hours  a  day  at  805-­‐644-­‐3200.  Or  to  discuss  your  non-­‐emergency  issue  call  805-­‐904-­‐9362.  Great  program!  Marcy  also  indicated  she  would  be  happy  to  give  her  talk  to  your  group,  church,  club,  etc.     Our  next  luncheon  will  feature  a  speaker  from  Gray  Law.  It  should  also  prove  enlightening.  To  make  a  reservation  for  the  next  luncheon  please  call  or  email:  

Ray  or  Linda  Holzer,  644-­‐3702,  rayholzer2@aol.com  Judy  Sewell,  654-­‐8304,  sewellj119@sbcglobal.net  Carol  "Mike  Aalbers,  207-­‐1768,  retirdmike@gmail.com  

  Carpool  if  you  can,  remember  to  leave  the  spaces  at  check  in  for  handicapped  folks,  and,  do  not  forget  the  Food  Share  Barrels.     For  you  new  members  the  luncheons  are  held  at  the  Poinsettia  Pavilion,  3451  Foothill  Road,  Ventura.  Lunch  is  at  noon,  check  in  begins  at  11:00  AM.     That’s  all  for  now  folks.     “Green is the prime colo r of the wor ld , and that f rom which its love l iness arises .”

Pedro Calderon de la Blanca

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David Aguilera HCA Anthony Aguirre Sheriff Debra L. Aldrich Sheriff Marla Armas HCA Carolina Ayala HCA George E. Barrett Fire Protection Juan Benavidas Sheriff Nancy Bevans HCA Pedro Borges Retirement Kathy M. Cameron Fire Steven M. Capuano Sheriff Rebecca S. Carter Animal Regulations Christopher T. Cruse HSA James M. Deen Assessor Deborah A. Downey Retirement Annette Dulin-Edwards CSS Sylvia Y. Estrada HCA James S. Franks CEO Dennis V. Good HSA Kelly S. Jameson Probation Paula N. Kamiya Library Linda J. Kelley District Attorney James S. Kenney Sheriff John C. Krause HCA Olivia C. Lopez County Clerk Recorder Allan S. Mandell Fire Keith S. Mineau Sheriff Denise M. Mouwen Public Works Deborah D. Neihold HSA Lyle G. Olson APCD James P. Otteson HCA Michael L. Panek Sheriff Joseph T. Pannell HSA Cynthia A. Parrish CSS Cristobal O. Ramos HCA Peter Remijio HCA Clarissa A. Sanchez HCA Catherine L. Schureman Fire Protection Scott A. Sedgwick Sheriff Jamie L. Stewart Sheriff Michael B. Humberto F.

Smith Tello

RMA Library

Gail I. Temple Sheriff Yolanda Curtis J.

Tibbet White

Animal Services Probation

Ginger A. White Superior Court Glenys Wilbur HCA

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“The best

intelligence test

is what we do

with our

leisure.”

Dr.  L.  J.  P

eter  

 

SEE’s CANDY CERTIFICATES   We  sell  SEE’s  Candy  Certificates  to  members  solely  as  a  benefit  to  our  membership.    They  are  redeemable  for  one  pound  of  candy  or  a  standard  See’s  candy  box  at  any  SEE’s  store  or  outlet.         The  cost  of  each  certificate  is  $15.    This  is  below  the  market  cost  at  most  locations.    The  certificates  make  excellent  gifts  for  holidays;  no  hassle  with  crowds,  wrapping  or  shipping;  they  are  easy  to  mail,  and  the  certificates  do  not  expire.      You  can  acquire  certificates  one  of  three  ways:    

1. Purchasing  at  our  luncheons  –  we  will  have  a  table  set  up  to  sell  the  certificates  –  cash  or  checks  only  please.    

2. Via  the  postal  service  @  REAVC,  PO  Box  7231,  Ventura  CA  93006  3. Placing  your  order  over  the  phone  @  805/644-­‐7814  

    Remember  if  you  order  by  mail  or  over  the  phone,  include  the  cost  for  extra  postage  if  you  are  requesting  that  we  mail  you  a  large  order.    

       

REAVC  BOARD  OFFICERS  President  –  Nancy  Settle     805/658-­‐1507       nancycassbill@sbcglobal.net  1st  VP  –  Roberta  Griego     805/889-­‐7674       rrodriguez367@roadrunner.com 2nd  VP  –  Cindi  Mathieu     805/525-­‐2885       cindimathieu@outlook.com  Secretary  –  Will  Hoag       805/644-­‐3491       piffle@pacbell.net  Treasurer  –  Ray  Holzer     805/644-­‐3702       rayholzer2@aol.com Past  Pres  –  Art  Goulet       805/482-­‐9418       artgou@aol.com  Butch  Britt       805/987-­‐3312       Wbbritt@gmail.com    Paul  E.  Callaway     805/658-­‐1340       paul.callaway@roadrunner.com    John  Coushay       805/231-­‐1808       coush43@verizon.net    Jim  Crow       805/701-­‐8262       crowmegan@sbcglobal.net  Art  Goulet         805/482-­‐9418       artgou@aol.com  Don  Greenberg       805/642-­‐2915 liondongreenberg@gmail.com Luisa  Haskell       805/644-­‐3737       luisahaskell312@hotmail.com Betty  McCollum     805/642-­‐5234       bjoe22@juno.com    Tom  McEachern     805/630-­‐8284       tandcmac1@yahoo.com Maryellen  Benedetto     805/647-­‐0292       maryellenbenedetto@aol.com    Associate  Member  Representative  

Linda  Wyatt  Jorgenson     805/642-­‐4676       lindaedra5@yahoo.com Executive  Assistant  

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RETIREMENT BOARD NEWS By

ART GOULET

The name of the game continues to be volatility, but for November and December the movement was clearly down. As a result, the system’s assets fell to $4.36 billion at the end of November, and $4.28 billion at the end of December, and the current prognostications for the duration of the fiscal year are not terribly positive. As I mentioned in my last report with regard to pensionable compensation, the unions did not get all pay codes they wanted included. Nonetheless, VCERA has still received no notice of litigation on the matter. At its meeting of January 25, the Retirement Board received and approved the actuarial valuation (AV) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015. The process requires that VCERA provide a copy of the draft AV to all interested parties/stakeholders at least 30 days prior to consideration of it, to allow time for comments. No comments were received, although SEIU had some questions, which were answered prior to the meeting. The AV indicated that the system’s unfunded accrued actuarial liability (UAAL) increased from $820 million in the previous fiscal year to $876 million. Notwithstanding this, the funded ratio of the plan increased from 82.7% to 83.1%. This is due in part to the deferral of gains and losses over a 5-year period as a result of a practice known as asset smoothing, the purpose of which is to reduce the variation and volatility of employer contributions from year to year. This is a very common practice that retirement systems employ. On February 1, The Retirement Board received and approved the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ending June 30, 2015, along with the outside audit for the same year. The audit was “clean”.

At the same meeting, a presentation was made on the status of the new pension administration system. The staff is involved in an intensive three-month process known as user acceptance testing (UAT). Thus far, about three weeks into the process, reports from our Project Manager and Retirement Administrator are that it is going well, and VCERA should be able to approve “going live” with the new system sometime in April. Though it is not yet official, it appears that the COLA for Tier 1 and Safety employees will be 2% effective April 1. Those retirees who still have a COLA bank will receive a 3% increase. When the COLA is officially approved, I will report which retirees (by date of retirement) will receive the additional 1%, and identify the remaining COLA banks. Tier 2 retirees represented by SEIU, and who did not withdraw their contributions for the adjustment upon retirement, will have the portion of their retirement benefit for the years they made their contributions increased by 2%. The Retirement Board is in midst of considering whether to change the methodology used in calculating the COLA for Tier 1 and Safety retirees. Currently, VCERA uses the change in the consumer price index from the previous December to December of the year preceding April 1 of the year in which any COLA would become effective. The method being considered is to use the change in the annual average annual COLA between the two years of the measurement period. If a change were adopted, it would be prospective, and would not affect this year’s COLA. Before the Retirement Board makes any decision, VCERA will be seeking input from the various stakeholders.

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In Memoriam   We acknowledge the passing of the following. Our deepest sympathy is extended to their families and friends.

Frank L. Gyrion Thomas B. Iversen Anita Requenez-Moses Thomas Ribble Sharon Rosenthal Robert R. Williamson

The tears in my eyes I can wipe away, The ache in my heart will always stay.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Joanna Davalos-Shinavar Christine S. Heckerman

Olivia C. Lopez Curtis White

Ë

WANT TO RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTER? HOW WOULD YOU

LIKE TO RECEIVE IT? POSTAL SERVICE?

YAHOOGROUP EMAIL? ARE YOU NOT RECEIVING

YOUR NEWSLETTER? DO

YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO

SAID THEY WEREN’T GETTING

THEIR COPY? PLEASE LET ME

KNOW? LET’S FIX IT! EMAIL ME AT

lindaedra5@yahoo.com OR CALL ME AT 642-4676  

 

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         JANUARY  4    Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  5    REAVC  Board  Mtg  25  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  27  Resv  cutoff  date  for  luncheon    

FEBRUARY  1    Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  2    Gen  Membership  Luncheon  5    Articles  Due  22  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  REAVC  BOARD-­‐NO  MEETING    

MARCH    7  Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  1    REAVC  Board  Mtg  21  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg    

APRIL  1    Articles  due  4    Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  18  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  27  Resv  cut  off  for  luncheon  REAVC  BOARD  –  NO  MEETING    

MAY  2    Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  3    General  Membership  Luncheon  16  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  REAVC  BOARD  –  NO  MEETING  

JUNE  6    Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  7    REAVC  Board  Meeting  10    Articles  Due  20  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  

JULY  1    Scholarship  apps  due  for  Sept  Luncheon  11    Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  18  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  REAVC  BOARD  –  NO  MEETING  

AUGUST  2    REAVC  Board  Meeting  5    Articles  due  31  Resv  cut  off  for  luncheon    

SEPTEMBER  6  General  Membership  Luncheon        (scholarships  awarded)  12  Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  19  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  REAVC  BOARD  –  NO  MEETING    

OCTOBER  3    Brd  of  Retirement  Disability  Mtg  4    REAVC  Board  Meeting  7    Articles  Due  8  Scholarship  apps  due  for  December  Luncheon  17  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg    

NOVEMBER  7    Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  21  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  30  Resv  cut  off  for  luncheon  REAVC  BOARD  –  NO  MEETING  

DECEMBER  5    Brd  of  Retire  Disability  Mtg  6    General  Membership  Luncheon        (scholarships  awarded)  13    REAVC  Board  Meeting  16  Articles  Due  19  Brd  of  Retire  Bus  Mtg  

 

     

2016 REAVC CALENDAR

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My  wild  oats  have  turned  into  prunes  

and  All  Bran.