On March 29, 2010 the Association's Health Benefits Oversight Committee mailed a letter to the Fulton County Finance Department requesting access to documents related to the topics discussed at their March 11, 2010 meeting.  Association members can view letter by logging in to the web site.          

          The Association's Health Benefits Oversight Committee met on March 11, 2010.  The main topics of discussion concerned an issue with the Fulton County Insurance Stabilization Fund and the recent problems retirees have been experiencing with the prescription drug plan.  Recent feedback received from retirees concerning problems and changes encountered with their health insurance coverage was also discussed. Strategies were developed to pursue a resolution to these issues.  The following individuals attended the meeting:  Joe Drolet, Belinda Gaye, Steve Gaye, Marion McDonald, Peg McDonald, Wanda Messina, Bob Meyers, and Jim Stephens.

         On March 9, 2010, President Wanda Messina met with the Pension Board Research Committee to discuss the directives developed by the Association offices at their January 15, 2010 meeting.  Edward "Skip" Platt was elected Chairman of the Pension Board Research Committee.       

          On January 15, 2010 the FCREA officers met to formulate directives for the Pension Board Research Committee.  The directives developed at this meeting can be viewed by Association members by logging in to the web site.       

         At the October 13, 2009 meeting a Pension Board Research Committee was appointed.  The purpose of the committee is to investigate the pension board membership makeup of other closed pension plans.  Members of the committee are Cynthia Duhart, Marc Henson, Tom Malone, Neal McDaniel, Edward "Skip" Platt, Barbara Plunkett, Brenda Scott, Gaye Stewart.

 

        On August 18, 2009 the Health Benefits Oversight Committee met to analyze the information received from the Finance Department and to plan further strategies to resolve the issues addressed in the committee's correspondence with the Finance Department.  The following committee members and interested association members attended this meeting:  Horace Copridge, Joseph Drolet, Gordon Flippo, Belinda and Steve Gay, Marion McDonald, Wanda Messina, Bob Meyers, and Barbara Plunkett.

        The Finance Department in a letter dated August 5, 2009 replied to the Oversight Committee's letter dated June 1, 2009.  Association members can view the letter by logging into the site.
    
        The Health Benefits Oversight Committee submitted a letter dated June 1, 2009 to the Finance Department requesting clarification on the transfer of funds in the Insurance Stabilization Fund to the Risk Management Account.  Association members can view the letter by logging into the site.

        The Fulton County Attorney's Office in a letter dated April 14, 2009 replied via law firm Rumsey and Ramsey to the Health Benefits Oversight Committee's letter dated November 17, 2008.  Association members can view the letter by logging into the site.

        Law firm Rumsey and Ramsey submitted a 2nd letter dated April 2, 2009 to the Fulton County Attorney's Office requesting a reply to the Health Benefits Oversight Committee's letter dated November 17, 2008.  Association members can view the letter by logging into the site.

         Law firm Rumsey and Ramsey submitted a letter dated February 27, 2009 to the Fulton County Attorney's Office requesting a reply to the Health Benefits Oversight Committee's letter dated November 17, 2008.   Association members can view the letter by logging into the site.    

         The Fulton County Board of Commissioners recently passed a resolution establishing a Fulton County Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Agreement.  Further information and details regarding this resolution and trust agreement can be viewed by Association members by logging into the site and following the links on the Current Issues page. Additional information can also be found on the first page of the April, 2009 Prime Times Newsletter.   

  The Health Benefits Oversight Committee submitted a follow up letter to the Finance Department dated January 5, 2009 requesting a reply to the Committee's letter dated November 17, 2008 which had not been forthcoming.  Association members can view the letter by logging into the site.

         An issue involving beneficiary life insurance coverage after the death of the retiree has come to the attention of the Association.  On December 4, 2008 a letter was sent by the Association to the Board of Commissioners asking for a change in the current policy.  The Association's letter and the County Manager's reply may be viewed by logging in to the site and following the link on the Current Issues page.

        The Association's Benefits Oversight Committee submitted a letter to the Fulton County Finance Department on November 17, 2008 requesting further clarification of data previous furnished to the committee regarding the County's Insurance Stabilization Fund.  Association members can view the letter by logging into the site.

      The Association's Benefits Oversight Committee met on November 10, 2008 to discuss the information received from the County finance department regarding the County's Insurance Stabilization Fund.  The following members attended the meeting:  Horace Copridge, Judy Hudson, Marion McDonald, Wanda Messina, Bob Meyers, and Jim Stephens.

        The Association's Benefits Oversight Committee submitted a letter to the Fulton County Finance Department on September 9, 2008 requesting data on the Fulton County Insurance Stabilization Fund.  Association members can view the letter by logging in to the site and following the link on Current Issues link.

         The Association's officers, pension board representative, and newsletter editor met on Friday August 22, 2008 to discuss current issues.

         Andy Weathers resigned as Association attorney due to personal considerations on August 20, 2008.  The Association is seeking another attorney. 

       It was announced at the June 19, 2008 Association luncheon that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners had approved the a new retiree position on the Fulton County Pension Board.

       On June 19, 2008 Mr. Jim Edens of the Fulton County Pension Office made a presentation at the Association's  luncheon regarding the new Retiree Medical Savings Plan.  Association members can log in to the web site and view the power point portion of that presentation.

         On June 16, 2008 the Georgia Court of Appeals dismissed Fulton County's appeal of the April 14, 2008 ruling because all issues in the suit had not been addressed at the Superior Court level.  Association members can log in to the web site to view ruling.

     On May 20, 2008 several members of the association's Health Benefits Committee met with association attorney Andy Weathers to brief him on past activities and to obtain input on future committee activities.

     On April 14, 2008 a Fulton County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of a group of county retirees who filed a suit in connection with how our pensions are calculated under the 1991 Pension Plan.  Association members can log in to web site to obtain further details.

    James W. Stephens has won reelection to the retirees' Position #6 on the Pension Board Association members can login to the web site and view additional details regarding the election. 

      On February 18, 2008, Retired Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert A. (Andy) Weathers agreed to serve as the association attorney.  Association members can login to the web site and view more information about this appointment. 

       On February 14, 2008 the Health Benefits Oversight Committed directed a letter to the pension office outlining two health benefit issues which did not comply with the pension law or court and requested that steps be taken to correct this.  More information on the results of this inquiry will be published later.

       On February 12, 2008, Association members voted unanimously to endorse the candidacy of James W. Stephens for the retirees' position (Position #6) on the Pension Board in the election to be held on March 12, 13, and 14, 2008.

       Heath Benefits Oversight Committee met on January 14, 2008 to further evaluate the documents received from the pension office.

       Health Benefits Oversight Committee met on January 8, 2008 to evaluate the documents received from the pension office.   

        On November 1, 2007 the Health Benefits Oversight Committee directed a letter to the Pension Office requesting 2007 health insurance financial and insurance carrier reports.  Association members can login to the web site below and view the text of this letter on the Current Issues link. 

         Health Benefits Oversight Committee met on September 20, 2007

         

        On September 10, 2007,  the Association directed a letter to the members of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners expressing our concern over the disparity in retiree representation versus active employee representation on the Pension Board.  Association members can login to the web site below and view the text of this letter on the Current Issues link.

On August 27, 2007, President Wanda Messina appointed association members to serve on the Health Benefits Oversight Committee.  Association members can login to the web site below and view on the Current Issues link, a sample of the letter send to the appointees which outlines their responsibilities in more detail.

 

      On August 14, 2007 Association members voted to create a Health Benefits Oversight Committee.  This committee is charged with the responsibility to monitor the county's compliance with the health insurance benefit levels for retirees mandated by the pension law and the federal court order issued as a result of our litigation with the county on this issue