Meeting Minutes for January 30, 2001

Present: Peggy Barnes (ex officio), Vicki Benson (ex officio), Kathy Blackwell (ex officio), Brian Chapman (Chancellor's Representative), Kevin Dorsey (Dean's Council), Patricia Hopkins-Price (Faculty Senate), Worthen Hunsaker (Chancellor's Representative), Aslam Kassimali (Faculty Association), Steve Kraft (Graduate Council), David Marx (A/P Staff Council), Doug McEwen (Faculty Senate), Andy Morgan (A/P Staff Council), Roland Person (Faculty Association), Ruth Pommier (Civil Service Council), James Swisher (Emeritus Association).

Absent: Art Aikman, (ex officio), Jake Baggott (ex officio), Joann Marks (Civil Service Council), Thomas Stitt (ex officio).

I. Announcements - None.

II. Approval of Minutes of November 28, 2000 
The minutes were corrected to add Roland Person as present. Minutes were approved as corrected.

III. Approval of Agenda of January 30, 2001 
Jim requested to add under the Health Benefits Subcommittee the comparisons of states. The agenda was approved as amended.

IV. Updates from Human Resources 
Peggy reported: a) there will be three SURS counselors on campus the week of March 26 through March 30 to conduct individual counseling sessions. It is tentatively estimated they will be able to do 165 sessions. A letter is being sent to approximately 575 employees who are either over the age of 55 with 8 or more years of experience or who are any age with 30 or more years of service. Appointments will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning February 12. Steve noted Interim Chancellor Jackson raised the concern over SURS counseling services at the chancellors and presidents meeting in December. SURS indicated it will begin devoting personnel time to this particular issue. Steve believed the committee should pay particular attention to make sure SURS is and continues to provide resources toward this concern; b) Jim Beatty from SURS will be on campus February 7 to do a presentation for the Human Resources staff on group retirement counseling. He will go over all aspects provided by SURS. Kathy stated the session is primarily to see what Mr. Beatty's session covers. Once Human Resources get a better feel of what information he provides, then he will be scheduled to come back for sessions with employees; c) Human Resources is negotiating with Larry Johnson to come back and do group retirement counseling sessions. It is hoped these sessions will start at the end of February or beginning of March. SURS will continue to provide phone consultations and come down twice a year. SURS has been more than willing to be accommodating; d) Prudential (formerly Fortis), the long term disability insurance provider, has been working with Human Resources to conduct an open enrollment. Information will be mailed out shortly to all active employees on campus who do not already have the long term disability coverage stating February is open enrollment month. Steve asked if there is any movement to offer long term care. Peggy responded the state is still looking into plans, but she has not heard anything recently. The retirement system has also been looking into this option for annuitants, but there have been no updates.

V. Subcommittee on Health Benefits 
A) Steve reported the proposal on the sick leave pool was sent to Interim Chancellor Jackson a few weeks ago. It was noted the committee has endorsed the plan in principle and is leaving the details for others to work out.

B) Jim reported he received a packet from Jim Clarke (IEA/NEA) that included data based on the year 2000 comparing health insurance benefits of Illinois to other states. One report compares SIUE and SIUC to other Illinois public four year universities; the other report is a comparison of Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and national. The information is only data; there was no conclusion or analysis. Jim stated he reviewed the data, and the only thing that stood out was that in a number of states, the total cost of benefits is higher than in others. He attributed that to the fact that the employees of these states are enrolled in social security, as well as a supplemental plan of one type or another. In these states, both the employees and their institutions contribute more toward their pensions than does SIU. The question is which is best. In terms of the data on life insurance or health insurance, there is really not much difference from one place to another. Ruth stated there are some SIU employees who were hired after a certain date who are paying the Medicare portion of social security. She questioned whether there was a penalty against state employees drawing social security. Peggy responded it is generally a 50% reduction in the social security benefit (rather than the SURS benefit).

C) Jim stated there has been some confusion about Medicare B. It is the state's position that if an employee is eligible for Medicare A and over 65, the employee should pay for Medicare B; otherwise, his/her regular state insurance will not [provide adequate coverage]. Jim pointed out there are some people who refuse to pay for Medicare B and have not been penalized. Therefore, it could be surmised that this policy is not enforced. Peggy believed there was a provision that the policy did not apply to those people who retired before a certain date, possibly some time in 1992. Tricia indicated she has been trying to find the original law involving the Medicare Part B. She did find a document called the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, which has been amended many times over the years. She is attempting to sift through the document, which is rather lengthy.

D) Steve reviewed the subcommittee rosters from the past year. Health Benefits included Jim (chair), David, Tricia, and Ruth. Steve asked if those individuals wished to continue serving and if anyone else would like to participate. Hearing no objection to the four to continue, Steve asked the group to get together and elect a chair. Steve indicated the Retirement Benefits and Annuities Subcommittee included Joann, Tom, and Jim. Andy and Aslam indicated their willingness to serve on the subcommittee. Steve indicated he would contact Joann to see if she wanted to continue serving. He would then e-mail the group so they could get together and elect a chair.

VI. Subcommittee on Retirement Benefits and Annuities - No report.

VII. Old Business 
A) Steve reported he received the raw data on the survey on tax sheltered annuities. He talked with A.G. Monaco to find out if the data had been put into a spreadsheet or database. Mr. Monaco responded it had been and that Steve should have received that information. Since he did not, Mr. Monaco will send copies. Steve indicated he would then provide the information to the Subcommittee on Retirement Benefits and Annuities. Jim stated there is still the question of what will be the scope of the study. Steve indicated he would talk with Mr. Monaco to see if any further work has been done with the study. Jim believed the information fell short of what the committee was hoping to receive.

B) Steve reported Interim Chancellor Jackson forwarded his letter expressing the committee's concerns over SURS counseling services to Pam Brandt. She provided background information on the concerns expressed in the letter. Steve noted there is awareness of the problem and believed it was important to continue to get feedback from constituents on how this issue is being handled.

VIII. New Business - None.

IX. Adjournment 
The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for February 27.