Legislator Proposes Changes to State Retirement

Sen. Liljenquist (Davis County) is filing bills that will make major changes to our state retirement system. This is one example of a change for all new employees hired after July 1, 2011.

• All employee groups would be in one retirement system. Public employees, Public safety, Fire Fighters and judges would be together in one plan.
• Employees would be given the opportunity, upon hire, to choose between two different plans. (hired after July 1,2011). They would choose either Plan A or Plan B.

• Plan A: Defined Contribution Plan (8% retirement contribution into a 401(a) plan that would be administered by the Utah Retirement System)

• Plan B: A Hybrid Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Plan with a 35 year minimum service requirement, 1% per year service credit, 2.5% COLA based on the Consumer Price Index, and based on highest five years of salary. The Hybrid plan would also have a contribution to a 401(a) plan.

UEA opposes any changes to our retirement plan. Our future teachers need us to fight for them.

Go to www.utea.org for more information. Stay tuned to this blog for more ugly bills.

Rick

Rick

Defined Benefit VS. Defined Contribution

Our current Utah Retirement System is a Defined Benefit system in that you are assured of a monthly benefit upon retirement. It is based on an average of your three highest salaries, you receive 2% for each full year of service and it is a lifetime benefit. You have several options at retirement such as a Lump-Sum payout that, of course, would reduce your monthly benefit. You can also choose to lower your monthly benefit to allow for a death benefit for a spouse.

A defined contribution is usually thought of as a 401-K contribution that hopefully earns for you through the investments the URS makes. It is portable, in that, you can roll it over into an IRA or other tax-deferred area. The benefit is not guaranteed as it is in the Defined Benefit system.

We want to preserve our current system without changes.

Stay tuned for more information as we approach the opening of the Leg session Monday, Jan. 25.
Go to the UEA website at www.utea.org for more retirement information.

Rick

10 Minute Meetings on Retirement

We are asking our building reps to hold a 10 minute meeting with their staff to talk about retirement issues. We have talking points that include proposals for the upcoming leg session, the difference between Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution, and the need for all employees to get involved. Ask your building rep to contact us for more information if needed. The session starts Monday, January 25th.

Rick

WEA and OEA Leaders Attend NEA Conference

Leaders from OEA and WEA spent part of their MLK Weekend attending the NEA Western States Region conference in Mesa, AZ. They heard President Van Roekel, VP Lily Eskelsen, and Sec-Treasury Becky Pringle speak about NEA's agenda and mission. They also attended leadership sessions and met with other leaders of UEA in caucus meetings. It was a good opportunity for our local leaders to network with our neighboring states and be trained in communication, membership recruitment and other important aspects of our job.

Attending from OEA were Clay Kirkham and Lisa Vipperman. Attending from WEA were Marlene Irons, Terie Maxfield, Paul Fawson, Cynthia Auble, Cheryl Parkinson, Glen Larsen, and Jo Egelund.

Rick

Eye on Legislation

Jean Hill, UPPAC attorney, writes in her monthly newsletter that the following legislation will be introduced:

• Sen. Howard Stephenson- Wants more computer -adaptive testing
• Rep. Rhonda Menlove- Wants provisional teachers to have five years before they get career status rather than three years.
• Rep. Curtis Oda- Wants a resolution asking public schools to provide age-appropriate information about family and dating violence to students.
• Rep. Wayne Harper- Legislation titled "Educator Training Amendments"???
• Rep. John Dougall- Legislation titled "Local control of Public School schedules"???
• Sen. Pat Jones- Legislation titled "Vending machines in elementary schools"???

Yes, it will be another interesting year. First day of the session, January 25th.

Rick

Ogden Board Policy Changes

Ogden school board is in the process of changing personnel policies regarding "background checks" and "reporting arrests and convictions". The changes come from the state rules that have been added. The state is requiring background checks/fingerprinting every five years and employees will have to report convictions or arrests within 48 hours. We have copies of the policies and when the board passes them they will be on the District website. Let me know if you have specific questions.

Congrats to Allison Pfister (Lakeview), Shari Combe (Roy Jr.) and Karen Roylance (T.H. Bell) for winning a $25 gift card for Applebees. Thanks for reading. Rick

Ogden and Weber School Board Policy Changes

Because of changes in state office of education rules, both Ogden and Weber boards are in the process of changing rules on background checks and reporting of arrests or convictions. In Weber's AR meeting last night we gave the new policies in Weber which include the requirement for all employees to report to the Human Resource office any arrest or conviction within 48 hours. I will continue to update you on changes to both district's policies.

Rick