Posted Nov 22, 2016 by Jamee V
CalPERS
Beginning January 1, 2017, all CalPERS health plans will offer a diabetes prevention program (DPP) at no cost to eligible members. Check it out!
[Read More...]
Posted Nov 22, 2016 by Jamee V
CalPERS
CalPERS is preparing more pension rate hikes, and they could cost government agencies billions of dollars.
[Read More...]
Posted Nov 02, 2016 by Jamee V
Legislation
Yes on Prop 61 Rally with Bernie Sanders takes place Monday, November 7th on the west steps of the Capitol. CSR will be in attendance. Please join us!
[Read More...]
Posted Oct 19, 2016 by Jamee V
Retirees
CSR joined with other senior groups on the Capitol steps Oct. 17 to rally in support of Prop. 61, which would help stop runaway drug prices and save the state an estimated $1 billion a year.
[Read More...]
Posted Oct 18, 2016 by Jamee V
General News
Do you want to serve on the CSR Board of Directors? If so, now is the time! CSR has officially launched the 2017 Board Election Schedule for Districts A, B & C.
[Read More...]
Posted Oct 17, 2016 by Dani Schenone
CalPERS
Recent news articles have set their sights on public pensions, claiming that they are unsustainable and cost the state billions while public employees enjoy excessive retirement benefits. Recently, a Capital & Main author responded to a September article in the Los Angeles Times that claimed public pensions offer retirement security that is normally only available to the wealthy.
[Read More...]
Posted Oct 05, 2016 by Jamee V
Health Care
Sacramento, CA - OptumRX has finally released critical pieces of information in regards to the cost of prescription drugs. This comes on the heels of CSR pushing for this critical data to be shared with the public during the open enrollment process. Many members were concerned they did not have the full story when choosing a provider.
[Read More...]
Posted Sep 29, 2016 by Jamee Villa
Legislation
Millions of Californians soon will have an easy way to save for a more comfortable and dignified retirement now that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed Senate Bill 1234, landmark legislation creating the California Secure Choice Retirement Plan.
[Read More...]
Posted Sep 29, 2016 by Jamee Villa
CalPERS
The recent back-and-forth debate over pensions for public employees always lands on important issues like employer contributions and discount rates. Lost in the discord, though, is what’s ultimately at stake: the financial future of millions of Americans. So let's get to the point and not fall into the tired trap of looking back: It's time to put SB 400, the 1999 California legislation that changed benefits for public workers, behind us.
[Read More...]
Posted Sep 28, 2016 by Jamee Villa
Retirees
A bill that would have authorized the California Public Employees’ Retirement System to adjust the current $2,000 post-retirement death benefit for state and school retirees was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 26.
[Read More...]
Posted Sep 15, 2016 by Jamee Villa
Retirees
Music was his life, so it is fitting that the celebration of life for Gus C. Lease will be in the Music Building Concert Hall at San Jose State University at 1 p.m. Oct. 1. A reception will follow on the lawn between the Music Building and the SJSU Event Center.
[Read More...]
Posted Sep 08, 2016 by CSR Website Administrator
Health Care
Health Plan Open Enrollment for CalPERS members is Sept. 12- Oct. 7. Most members who are satisfied with their current plan need do nothing to remain in the same plan. The exception is Blue Cross Net Value members. That plan is being discontinued.
If members on that plan do nothing, they will automatically be transitioned to Blue Shield Access Plus, starting Jan. 1, 2017. Or they may choose another health plan during this Open Enrollment period.
[Read More...]
Posted Sep 07, 2016 by Jamee Villa
Legislation
Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, calls on lawmakers to approve his measure to end surprise medical bills from out-of-network doctors, on the final day of the legislative session.
[Read More...]
Posted Sep 06, 2016 by Jamee Villa
General News
Longtime CSR and CSEA activist Gus C. Lease, also known by many as “The Voice of CSEA,” passed away Sept. 4 at the age of 93.
[Read More...]
Posted Aug 23, 2016 by Jamee Villa
CalPERS
Sacramento, CA – The CalPERS health plan Open Enrollment period begins soon – September 12 through October 7 – but Open Enrollment materials are now available online to our members to help them select the best plan for their families.
[Read More...]
Posted Aug 18, 2016 by Dani Schenone
Retirees
Barbara LaPlante, the first female president of California State Retirees, Inc., passed away Aug. 14. She was 89.
LaPlante also had the distinction of holding the position of president – formerly known as director – for more than 10 years, longer than any previous member of California State Retirees, Inc., which is now known as California State Retirees. She also held many other positions in the organization, including regional director.
[Read More...]
Posted Aug 11, 2016 by Dani Schenone
CalPERS
Sacramento, Calif. – California State Retirees (CSR) believes CalPERS erred in calculating the 2017 100/90 State Annuit
ant employer contribution amount.
Government Code section 22871 requires using the current year's top four health care plans to establish the next year's state contribution amount.
[Read More...]
Posted Aug 01, 2016 by Dani Schenone
CalPERS
Sacramento, Calif. – Rob Feckner, president of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) board of administration, penned an op-ed in today’s issue of The Sacramento Bee highlighting the importance of their long-term investment vision.
The op-ed comes after adverse news coverage of CalPERS’ decision to implement a new risk-reduction strategy. The plan, passed by a 4-3 vote, lowers the discount rate during strong years of investment returns. According to Feckner, this conservative approach will lower risk and volatility in the system. The goal is to ultimately reduce the rate from 7.5 percent to 6.5 percent over a 20-year period.
[Read More...]
Posted Jul 18, 2016 by Jamee Villa
CalPERS
Sacramento, Calif. - Be on the look out! CalPERS is beginning to send mailers this month explaining to members how to make changes to their health plans online. Open Enrollment information will be available online on Aug. 22, but members may only make changes, additions, and deletions via their my|CalPERS account at my.calpers.ca.gov during Open Enrollment from Sept. 12 to Oct. 7.
[Read More...]
Posted Jul 14, 2016 by Dani Schenone
CalPERS
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration anno
unced Marcie Frost as the Pension Fund’s new chief executive officer (CEO). Frost, 51, will replace former CalPERS CEO Anne Stausboll.
As CEO, Frost will oversee 2,870 employees and a budget of more than $1.7 billion. Several programs under Frost’s scope include healthcare delivery, retirement benefits, investments, finance and risk management, supplemental retirement programs, legislative affairs, actuarial services, stakeholder relations, and numerous support functions.
[Read More...]