COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT
Effective April 1, 2021, we have been granted a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) that we will see on our May 1, 2021 pension checks. Below is the information that is posted on the OCERS website that explains the COLA process.
OCERS’ actuary first determines the annual increase or decrease in the CPI, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for our geographic area. The COLA is limited to a maximum annual increase or decrease of 3 percent. If the cost of living figure exceeds 3 percent, any amount above 3 percent is added to an OCERS member’s “COLA bank.” If the cost of living figure is negative, any negative amount up to 3 percent is subtracted from an OCERS Member’s “COLA bank” but will not go below zero. If a member has a positive “COLA bank,” the bank will be reduced up to an additional 3 percent in order to grant a positive COLA. If an OCERS member has a zero COLA bank, OCERS’ policy is to maintain the bank at zero, and not apply a decrease to create a negative COLA bank balance. Typically, the more years an OCERS’ member has been retired, the more they have in their COLA bank.
For 2021, the COLA is 1.5 percent. This is based upon a change in the CPI of 1.62 percent which was rounded to 1.5 percent as is required by statute. OCERS will increase applicable benefit allowances for members who have retired on or after April 2, 2019. For members who retired between April 2, 1982 and April 1, 2019, they will see an increase of 2.5 percent. For members who retired on or before April 1, 1982, they will see an increase of 3 percent. The COLA adjustment will appear on the May 1st check.
If you wish to see additional information regarding the COLA, please visit the OCERS website by clicking here.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is recruiting new committee members for the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC). These committees help advise OCTA on a wide range of policies, procedures, and actions. OCTA strongly encourages residents and community leaders to get involved and help improve the quality of life for all Orange County residents.
The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) actively participates in helping examine traffic solutions, providing input to OCTA’s transportation studies and communicating with their constituencies. Committee members also participate in roundtable discussions and hear special presentations on various transportation projects, programs, and services. CAC applications are available here and are due on May 2, 2021.
The Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC) is an independent 11-member committee that monitors OCTA’s use of revenue collected through OC GO (also known as Measure M), the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. Members of the TOC work to ensure the transportation projects specified in OC Go are built as promised. There are open positions in the First, Second, Fourth, and Fifth Supervisorial Districts. TOC applications are available here and are due May 2, 2021.
Applications must be received by May 2, 2021 and for more information, contact Jared Hill at (714) 560-5680 or jhill1@octa.net.
The Board is expected to select members by the end of June.
For additional information regarding the Citizens Advisory Committee, click here.
For additional information regarding the Taxpayer Oversight Committee, click here.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
The County of Orange Health Care Agency has developed a web site titled Covid-19 Vaccine Resources to keep the public informed. Please click here to read more.
REAOC BOARD OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The REAOC Board will continue to meet on a monthly basis although we will follow the CDC guidelines and not meet in person. Our Board meetings will continue to be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and we will utilize the online Zoom platform. If you have any issues or questions you would like to have us discuss, please contact the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995.
WHEN YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES
If you move, get a new or change your e-mail address or telephone or if you have a name change, there are actions that are necessary so that you continue to receive your benefits, newsletters, e-mails, etc.
If any of the above pertains to you, you need to notify REAOC, the Orange County Employees’ Retirement System (OCERS) and the County of Orange Employee Benefits Center with the new information.
To contact REAOC – call (714) 840-3995 or go to http://reaoc.org/email-us/ to e-mail the new/changed information.
To contact OCERS – call (714) 558-6200 or go to https://www.ocers.org to go to their website and sign-into “MyOCERS” to update your information.
To contact the County of Orange Employee Benefits Services Center – call (833) 476-2347 or to go to the benefits website by contacting My OC Benefits™ directly through IntraOC, or on the internet at mybenefits.ocgov.com.
NEWSLETTERS
Click here to read the latest Informer newsletter.
Click here to read the latest CRCEA Intercom newsletter.
NEWS WEEK OF APRIL 5, 2021
Study Suggests There Is No Imminent Public Pension Crisis
The Chief Investment Officer publication reports “Contrary to popular belief, a recent research paper from the Brookings Institution argues there is no imminent crisis for most public pension plans. As the paper notes, much ado has been made in recent years about state and local pension plans’ large unfunded liabilities – – – “. (Read More)
Stimulus 2.0: With Orange County cities getting $715 million, local leaders weigh how to spend their slices of the pie
The Orange County Register reports “Last year, the CARES Act didn’t give money directly to O.C. cities. This round of pandemic funding is different.” (Read More)
Facebook data on more than 500M accounts found online
The Sun reports “details from more than 500 million Facebook users have been found available on a website for hackers.” The article says that a publication named Business Insider printed an article about this saying “ According to that publication, it has information from 106 countries including phone numbers, Facebook IDs, full names, locations, birthdates, and email addresses.” So, are you still wondering how robo-callers and e-mail spammers get your information? Social media strikes again! (Read More)
Rates of Parkinson’s disease are exploding. A common chemical may be to blame
A freelance journalist wrote this article posted by Guardian News & Media Limited. While it is food for thought, check with your Doctor to get his or her opinion. (Read More)
ABOUT OUR LUNCHEONS
WHY
REAOC luncheons are held for the purpose of bringing Orange County retirees together for an afternoon of camaraderie, entertainment, and information. Friends and family are always welcome! Each luncheon features a different theme, with door prizes, and special gifts. As an added bonus, there is a valuable Progressive Drawing. They also serve as a general meeting for the membership.
WHERE
The Mile Square Park Banquet Facility located at 10401 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, California, 92708. For directions, call the Mile Square Banquet Facility at (714) 962-5541 or see map below showing where the Facility is located. Please DO NOT call the Facility to make reservations. Reservations are made by sending in the reservation form in The Informer or by calling the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995.
WHEN
Luncheons are held the 4th Wednesday of January, March, May and September, and on the first Wednesday of December at Noon. To ensure a parking spot please arrive by 11 a.m. Please carpool if possible as the parking lot at this facility can be quite busy.
Please Note: The luncheons have been cancelled. In light of the unknown facts and drivers surrounding the Coronavirus REAOC strongly believes caution is of utmost importance when it comes to the health of our membership. This is a challenging time for us all. Being mindful of recommendations by health experts to avoid crowds, the REAOC Board of Directors unanimously agreed that cancelling the upcoming luncheons is the most pro-active, appropriate action to take at this time. An update will be posted when we can once again hold our luncheons in both Fountain Valley and in Hemet.
Cost for the luncheon is $17.00 per person. A reservation form is provided in The Informer (on the current Luncheon page), in the “Forms” section of the REAOC web site or you may email the REAOC office of your request (reaoc@reaoc.org).
HEMET CHAPTER LUNCHEONS
Luncheons in Hemet have been traditionally held on the second Tuesday during the months of February, April, June, October and December. Attendees arrive around 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall located at 515 E. Kimball Avenue in Hemet and lunch is served between 11:45 and noon. The cost is $9.50 per person. The Hemet Chapter would like new members and encourages all REAOC members who live in the area or within driving distance to join them for the luncheons.
REAOC’s Hemet Chapter will hold its next luncheon on Tuesday, October 20th at 11:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church.
Make your reservation for the next luncheon by calling Mary Little at 951-485-7738 or Jane Pabitzky at 951-237-3240 by no later than October 6, 2020.
MAP TO MILE SQUARE PARK
Below is a map showing the general location of the Mile Square Park Banquet Facility located at 10401 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, California 92708.
If you need exact directions from your house you can go to MapQuest and click on “driving directions.”
HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2021
Please click on the links below for the charts provided by the County for the 2021 Health Plan rates:
Click here to see the Sharewell and Wellwise rates.
Click here to see the HMO and PPO rates.
Click here to contact the Orange County Employee Benefits Resource Center – My OC Benefits™
THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS RESOURCE LINE – MY OC BENEFITS™
Call the My OC Benefits™ Line toll-free at (833) 476-2347 or they may be reached at mybenefits.ocgov.com
SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE BENEFITS
For information about the supplemental insurance including dental and vision coverage, please click on the link below.
Supplemental Insurance Benefits
