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Retirement Security/Healthcare

Overview

Retirement Security / Pensions Info

Today and likely for years to come, CFA faces unprecedented challenges in protecting pensions and benefits. 

This pages contains helpful articles and updates about the current climate and possible threats on faculty members’ retirement security.

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Faculty Rights Tip: Flex Cash

Through the Flex Cash Plan (Article 32.13 in the Faculty Contract), faculty who waive CSU benefits because they have other non-CSU coverage can receive an additional $128 in compensation per month for waiving just medical benefits, $12 for waiving dental, and $140 for waiving both.

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In Other News

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON HATE SPEECH: CFA made public comment yesterday (October 3) at a hearing of the California State Senate Judiciary Committee that took testimony on “Combatting Hate While Protecting the Constitution.” Testimony came from UC Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and representatives of civil rights groups, the CSU administration, and law enforcement. View the hearing on the California Channel.

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CalPERS vote ends soon! Cast your ballot
Deadline Monday, October 2

This is the last week for CalPERS members, who include most CSU faculty, to vote on those who sit on the CalPERS Board of Administration.

CFA has joined other labor unions in endorsing David Miller and Michael Bilbrey in the election underway now through Monday, Oct 2.

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In Other News…

DACA-SCHOLARS RENEWAL DEADLINE, OCT. 5: DACA recipients whose waivers expire no later than October 5 (in two weeks) can apply for a renewal. Assistance to pay the $495 fee is available. Find links to resources for undocumented students, faculty and staff, and for those who wish to help, at Immigration & the CSU. Download and print a “Know Your Rights” card, get links to FAQs, and more.

LET STUDENTS KNOW ABOUT THE SQE “AFFORDABILITY STUDY”: Students for Quality Education is surveying CSU students about their experience with the affordability of the CSU. SQE hopes the data collected will advance “a free higher education plan that speaks to the needs of our student body.” The link to share is www.csusqe.org/survey

VOTE BY OCT. 2 IN CalPERS ELECTION: CFA has joined other labor unions in endorsing David Miller and Michael Bilbrey for seats on the CalPERS Board of Administration in the election underway now through Oct. 2. They are committed to protecting our pensions and keeping CalPERS strong. Click here to learn more and find voting instructions.

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CalPERS Open Enrollment is here!

The open enrollment period for those covered by CalPERS health plans is underway—if you decide to make changes, don’t delay.

Magazine Article

Understanding your CalPERS health plan can make a difference to you and your family
2017 open enrollment is Sept 11 to Oct 6 • Go to www.calpers.ca.gov to log in

By George Diehr
Chair, CFA Retired Faculty Committee
Business, San Marcos

The “open enrollment” period for possible change in our CalPERS health plans is September 11 through October 6. This is when we have the opportunity to change from the plan we now use to cover ourselves and our families.

But, even if you don’t plan to change plans, you may still benefit by understanding more about how these plans “work.”

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Gov. Brown’s budget proposal provides initial start-up for Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program

A program aimed at helping California’s private sector employees save for retirement received a needed infusion of start-up funding in Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2017-18 proposed budget last week.

The Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program, spearheaded by SEIU and signed into law last year, establishes a voluntary retirement savings plan for millions of private-sector, home-based and self-employed workers.

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Tell CalPERS what you think about the fund’s tobacco investment policy

CalPERS will host a webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 18 for all “stakeholders” in CalPERS on the fund’s investment policy related to tobacco, a very profitable industry.

Stakeholders, which include CSU faculty who are CalPERS members and retired CSU faculty who receive CalPERS pensions, are invited to listen, and to submit public comment online about your opinion on investing in tobacco.

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Benefits Tip: How our health plan rates are determined

Every year, all of the medical providers participating in CalPERS determine their own premium rates for the coming calendar year, based on market conditions and their own bottom line. Neither CFA, nor CalPERS, has any influence in determining rates.

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CFA, Cancer Society say: ‘CalPERS, keep off tobacco’

CFA joined ranks with the American Cancer Society and other opponents of tobacco investing at a meeting of the CalPERS Committee on Investment on Monday, May 16.

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Open enrollment deadline for Covered California approaching

The deadline to sign up for Covered California is nearing.

Faculty and staff who are not eligible for CalPERS medical care coverage and students in need of health care should note, the deadline to enroll is January 31.

To learn more and sign up, go to http://www.coveredca.com/.

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Anthem Blue Cross data breach may include faculty

California State University faculty may be among the millions of Californians whose personal information was compromised in the Anthem Blue Cross data breach last week.

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CalPERS election ballots in the mail this Friday; Vote Theresa Taylor!

Ballots are being mailed Friday in the election for a new State Employees representative on the CalPERS Board of Administration.

CFA has endorsed Theresa Taylor for the seat being vacated by retiring board member, CSU San Marcos faculty member George Diehr.

“Taylor has extensive financial experience and has made a clear commitment to the well-being of CalPERS members and our families,” said Kevin Wehr, president of CFA’s Sacramento Chapter and chair of CFA’s Political Action & Legislative Committee.

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Congrats to George Diehr, CSU faculty member on the CalPERS Board

On the eve of the election for a new State Employees representative on the CalPERS Board of Administration, CFA President Lillian Taiz expressed her congratulations to outgoing board member, CSU San Marcos faculty member George Diehr.

Diehr served 12 years on the CalPERS Board including stints as vice president and chair of the investments committee.

“George has served the faculty in the CSU, public workers in our state, and the people of California well and we congratulate him,” said Taiz.

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Affordable Care Act impact explained

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is in the news a lot lately, mainly focusing on technical issues with the federal website and the upcoming Dec. 23 deadline for Americans to enroll in plans.  While most faculty members and their families qualify for healthcare coverage, some individuals who have very part-time appointments do not.

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Health plan open enrollment ends this Friday, Oct 11

CalPERS

Open enrollment for CalPERS healthcare plans is underway now through this Friday, October 11. During this time, new faculty members can choose a health plan for themselves and their families and continuing faculty can make changes.

These are some of the documents that offer help:

Guide to help faculty members understand our health benefits and the open enrollment process: prepared by CSU San Marcos business professor George Diehr, who is an elected member of the CalPERS Board of Administration.

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Guide to CSU Health Benefits open enrollment

Open Enrollment for Health Care Benefits
For CSU Employees, through October 11, 2013

Information provided by George Diehr
Professor of Management Science (retired), CSU San Marcos
Member, CalPERS Board of Administration

The open enrollment period for CalPERS healthcare benefit plans is here through October 11. CSU employees, including the faculty, should already have received information about this from CalPERS.

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Get your questions answered about changes to the faculty’s healthcare benefits

Healthcare

In CFA Headlines last week we shared important new info on the CSU faculty’s healthcare benefits.

It’s CFA’s goal to inform the faculty, but we cannot answer individual questions nor enroll you in healthcare benefits plans.

So, this week we share where to turn to get your questions answered, to enroll in a plan, or to make changes to your current plan.

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Important news on healthcare premiums

Healthcare

There are a number of important developments taking place with regard to faculty (and all state worker) health benefits that require your attention:

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Deadline to purchase CalPERS “airtime” is Dec. 31

As a result of legislation adopted earlier this year, the purchase of Additional Retirement Service Credit (ARSC) from CalPERS – which applies to for time not actually worked and is often colloquially known as “airtime”– will be eliminated effective Jan. 1, 2013.