THIS MONTH’S HOT TOPICS
REAOC Scholarships for 2019
The Keith L. Concannon Scholarship application period is now open. Please click here to obtain the 2019 Scholarship Informational Packet.
Please note that the deadline to apply for the application is explained in the packet. All applications must be sent by electronic mail by no later than Monday, April 1, 2019. All material that must be sent through the mail (your official transcripts, the reference letter) must be postmarked by no later than Monday, April 1, 2019.
To view additional information regarding the scholarship process, please click here.
When your contact information has changed
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 click here to e-mail with the new/changed information.
To contact OCERS – call (714) 558-6200 or click here to go to their website and sign-into “MyOCERS” to update your information.
To contact the County of Orange Employee Benefits Center – call (800) 858-7266 or click here to go to the benefits website.
January 23, 2018 Luncheon – Cancelled
We were notified by the Banquet Facility staff at Mile Square Park that they will not be open during the month of January 2019 due to renovations at their site. Due to the late notice, we are unable to plan for another venue. We apologize but the January 2019 luncheon has been cancelled.
Health Plans for 2019
The County of Orange open enrollment period has ended. If you have any questions regarding your health plan, please call the Benefits Center at (800) 858-7266.
For your information, below are the new charts for 2019.
2019 Retiree Self-Funded PPO Health Plan Rates
2019 Retiree Insured HMO and PPO Health Plan Rates
Class Action Lawsuit
On September 5, 2018 the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal provided a ruling in the Harris v County of Orange Class Action Lawsuit. The ruling is available below for your review together with an article entitled “9th Circ. Partially Revives Orange County Retiree Benefits Suit.”
BACKGROUND: At this point the claim for “age discrimination” has been dismissed; however, part of the information relied upon for the dismissal did not accurately reflect history and prior documents provided to the Court. Additional action may be taken to bring this to the Court’s attention.
The 9th Circuit panel reversed the district court’s ruling regarding the “grant” and remanded the case back to the District Court (in which Judge Guilford presides). That claim will now move forward.
Note: The Retiree request to reassign the case on remand was denied.
More to follow……….
Click here to read the ruling from the Court of Appeal
Click here to read the article about the ruling
CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT UPDATE
The Ninth Circuit panel has denied the request to reconsider its dismissal of the age discrimination claim in this case. No explanation was provided by the panel for the decision. The case is now ready to return to the trial court to proceed on the contract claim regarding the significant reduction of the vested grant benefit in 2007. Further updates will be made available as the lawsuit proceeds through the judicial system.
REAOC Informer Newsletter
Click here to read the latest Informer newsletter.
CRCEA Intercom Newsletter
Click here to read the latest newsletter from the California Retired County Employees Association (CRCEA).
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS – WEEK OF JANUARY 14, 2018
OC Deputies win temporary court order blocking personnel records release
According to a story in the Orange County Register new state legislation “allows the release of personnel records and disciplinary files for police officers involved in the use of deadly force, sustained sexual assault and sustained dishonesty, such as evidence tampering. The statute, however, is silent on whether it should be enforced retroactively.” So, the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs went to court seeking to block the release of any such records from before 2019, and a temporary court order was issued, and the matter was scheduled for a full hearing for February 7. (More)
Measuring economic impact of defined benefit pensions
The National Institute on Retirement Security has issued a report about the national economic impacts of public and private pension plans, as well as the impact of state and local plans on a state-by-state basis. It says that in 2016, $578 billion in pension benefits were paid to 26.9 million retired Americans and that each dollar paid out in pension benefits supported $2.13 in total economic output nationally. (More)
Don’t respond to unsolicited e-mails
This article in The Atlantic says that “Email marketing systems and sales-generation software have made it easier to blast consumers with repeated messages at all hours of the day, and nearly every social-media app or service seems bent on barraging users with endless email notifications.” It says if you respond in any way, even to ask to be removed from the sender’s mailing list, you will be identified as responsive and probably will get even more unwanted e-mail. (Editor’s Note: Just as I as typing this narrative I received an e-mail from Amazon with the subject line of “we have been trying to reach you” delivering a customer satisfaction survey. Enough already!) (More)
Opioid overdose becomes US No. 1 death cause
Until recently, vehicle crashes had become the number one cause of death in the U.S., but now it is opioid overdoses according to this story carried on NPR’s KQED radio station. The story says that statistically Americans now have a 1 in 96 chance of dying from an opioid overdose. (More)
Congress moves to tackle prescription drug prices
An organization named the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare has a blog titled “Entitled to Know” at which they publish articles related to the organization’s advocacy. This article focuses on what is hoped to be growing Congressional interest in legislation that would help bring prescription drug prices under control. (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.
January 23, 2018 Luncheon – Cancelled
We were notified by the Banquet Facility staff at Mile Square Park that they will not be open during the month of January 2019 due to renovations at their site. Due to the late notice, we are unable to plan for another venue. We apologize but the January 2019 luncheon has been cancelled.
Luncheons for 2019 are listed below:
March 27 May 22 September 25 December 4
Please Note: Reservations by phone or mail for the March 27th luncheon must be at the REAOC office by Wednesday, March 20th, 2019.
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 noontime. 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, December 18th at 11:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall located at 515 E.Kimball in Hemet.
Make your reservation by calling Mary Little at 951-485-7738 or Jane Pabitzky at 951-237-3240 by no later than December 11th, 2018.
Luncheons for 2018 are listed below:
February 20 April 17 June 19 October 16 December 18
Luncheons for 2019 are listed below:
February 19 April 16 June 18 October 15 December 17
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.”
