Thank you for your ongoing donations. They are greatly appreciated as they help offset our operating expenses, allowing us to continue our work serving you. CLICK HERE to donate today!
CCSF V. SFERS (PRE-1996)
The ruling of the appellate court involving CCSF v. SFERS has been handed down. Unfortunately, the ruling was in favor of the CCSF. The court handed its decision down on Friday, May 10th after hearing oral arguments which were heard on May 1st. There is a lot of speculation on what SFERS will do with this ruling. POB’s statement of this issue is further down in this report.
Health Service System
Negotiations on rates and benefits are still on going. It has been reported UHC’s best doctor’s program will be discontinued, cost doesn’t justify utilization.
There is a program offered by PGE for lowering your rates on your bill due to medical conditions. To see if you or your dependent qualify check the website. PGE Medical baseline qualifications allow for lower rates on PGE due to medical conditions.
SFERS Retirement Board
April SFERS investments returned 1.18%, led by public equity and private equity which returned 2.98% and 1.01% respectively. On the calendar year basis, SFERS has gained 7.32% in the first four months of 2019. On the fiscal year, which our supplemental COLA is based, SFERS investment gained 5.73%.
Protect Our Benefits Board
In the matter of CCSF v SFERS, the appellate court released their ruling agreeing with CCSF that the board did not have the authority under the charter to exempt the pre-1996 retirees from the “full-funding” required in order to pay the supplemental COLA.
SFERS, as the losing party, can now review the ruling and if they deem appropriate, can file a “petition for review.” The petition must generally be served and filed within 15 days of the filing of the appellate court’s decision. POB will keep you apprised of any movement by SFERS in this matter.
POB members are obviously disappointed with this ruling. We have had spirited and informative discussions on this ruling and to fully understand our options. We will not roll over on this matter. More to follow.
More than ever… “United we stand; divided we fall.”
Your continuing contributions and support are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. Please mail them to Protect Our Benefits Trust, P.O. 210250, San Francisco, Ca. 94121-0250 or CLICK HERE to donate today!
From the Executive Board of Protect Our Benefits
Protect Our Benefits is an organization whose goals are to enhance the dignity and quality of life of all San Francisco City and County retirees and preserve their health and retirement benefits. The opinions are those of the writer.