Donna Quesnell called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM.
Attending:
Mina Milligan, Linda Bannon, Marty and Annette Erickson, Jane Madden, Donna Quesnell, Loretta Babbitt, Coleen O’neal, ToniLynn Steele, Lorayne Morley. Special guests Dr. Alan Burke, Peter Diedrick. A special welcome to ToniLynn Steele , who is new to unit 30.
Dr. Alan Burke:
HB 1911 to equalize PEBB retiree insurance policies between retirement Plans 2 and 3 didn’t make it off the House floor. We were told that there was a not a problem with the bill, but the prime sponsor used up his floor time with another, more controversial matter. Medicare Eligible Healthcare Benefit: Funded in 2021-2023 budget, funded in Governor Inslee’s budget proposal. This will most likely pass.
Convention:
2022 WSSRA Convention September 12-14, 2022 Full days Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound
2022 – 2025 Convention Schedule
Sept. 12– 14, 2022, Grand Mound (Rochester) at the Great Wolf Lodge
June 4 – 7, 2023, Pasco Red Lion
June 2 – 5, 2024, Wenatchee Convention Center
June 1 – 4, 2025, Yakima Convention Center
Retirement seminar:
Given the success of these webinars, we are continuing the two-evening schedule for the upcoming webinars: March 15 for DRS and HCA/PEBB, and March 22 for Social Security/Medicare and VEBA. Attendees overwhelmingly support two sessions, rather than jamming all the important retirement planning information into one evening.
Pre-Retirement Zoom Webinars Tuesday, March 15th, 2022 @ 4:30PM Department of Retirement Systems and Health Care Authority/PEBB Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 @ 4:30 PM Social Security/Medicare and VEBA Sponsored by Washington State School Retirees’ Association
Certificated and Classified Employees: If you are within 1-5 years of retirement, you will want to attend these (no fee) virtual webinars to learn about your retirement plans (Plan 2 or Plan 3), medical/dental options, sick leave buyout (VEBA), Social Security options, and Medicare. These webinars will feature presentations from the following agencies: WA State Department of Retirement Systems (Plan 2 and Plan 3, March 15) WA State Health Care Authority/PEBB (Medical/Dental/Vision options, March 15) Social Security and Medicare (March 22) VEBA (Your sick leave buyout options (March 22) Please fill out the registration form under the events tab on the WSSRA website www.wssra.org. An agenda with Zoom instructions will be sent to registrants prior to the events
Dr. Burke reported that, if possible, it is best to have presentations in person. It is likely that potential new members would be more enticed.
Peter Diedrick:
The Plan 1 COLA bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday 2/22 at 3:30 p.m. A panel from the WSSRA Legislative Committee will be testifying.
HB 1699 to increase retiree work hours is being expedited past a public hearing, directly to a vote in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on 2/22 at 4:00.
The House and Senate budget proposals will be released on Monday, 2/21.
Here is the bill status sheet: *Senate Bill 5676, Plan 1 COLA: Passed Senate 47-0. Public hearing 2/22 in the House Appropriations Committee at 3:30. *Medicare Eligible Healthcare Benefit: Funded in 2021-2023 budget, funded in Governor Inslee’s budget proposal. Will be decided in legislative budget at end of session and will likely pass. Public hearings in House Appropriations 2/21 at 3:30 and Senate Ways and Means 2/21 at 4:00. *House Bill 1699, OSPI Retiree Employment Bill: Passed House 93-3. Executive Session in the Senate Ways and Means Committee 2/22 at 4:00.House *Bill 1911, Plan 2 PEBB Deferral Bill: Currently dead. Bill will be sent to the Select Committee on Pension Policy in April for consideration in the 2023 legislative session.
Peter stressed the importance of communicating with your legislature representatives through e-mail.
Treasurer’s Report: (Marty Erickson)
Checking $14,394.97
Minutes and Treasurer’s Report:
November, 2021 Minutes, and the current Treasurer’s Report were approved and seconded as written.
Friendship: (Jane Madden)
December
No deaths reported from state
Card sent to family of Irma Solcum who died on December 19 at age of 100
–death reported by state in January
Birthday cards sent to: Larayne Anderson (79), Margaret Snitzer, Waneta Filbin
Card sent to Linda Bannon on death of sister
Get Well card sent to Loretta Babbitt for shoulder surgery
January
Thinking of you card to Fran Person
Birthday cards to Carol Ramsey and Loretta Babbitt (80)
February
Sympathy cards to families of: Vickie Bennie, Shirley Steadman, Rufus Winters
Birthday cards to: Joy Gault (77), Marty Erickson (83)
Membership:
We have a little over 500 members. Currently, we are in need of a new membership chair. Jane Madden offered to take over. Thanks Jane!
Mini Grants:
It was decided to keep the grants at $300. Donna Quesnell offered to take over. Thanks Donna
Next Meeting:
General Zoom meeting March 24, 2022. Donna Quesnell will be in charge. It would be entertaining to wear green and make up a limerick for the month of March.
Meeting adjourned at 10:04 AM
Mina Milligan, SWWSRA Secretary
Dates to Remember:
February 17,2022 Board third Thursday in Feb. &
March 24, 2022 General meeting fourth Thursday in March. Donna Quesnell chair
April 21, 2022 board meeting Third Thursday in April & May 26, 2022 general meeting fourth Thursday in May. Loretta Babbitt chair