THIS MONTH’S HOT TOPICS
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.
Opportunity to serve as a Grand Juror
Every year the Superior Court of Orange County is required by law to empanel a 19-member Grand Jury to serve a one-year term. The Court is seeking qualified and capable individuals, like you, to serve the Orange County community in this unique role for the term that begins June 28, 2019.
This is a wonderful opportunity for O.C. retirees and REAOC members to get a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of local government agencies and recommend areas for improvement. The Grand Jury also decides on indictments for some criminal cases.
Detailed information and the application form will be online shortly at http://www.ocgrandjury.org/. A flyer is attached below that lists the qualifications and an overview of duties; it also includes a timeline on the second page with important dates. The current stipend for serving is $50/day plus mileage, as set by the O.C. Board of Supervisors. The Grand Jury meets at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
The application deadline is January 18, 2019. To have an application packet mailed to you, leave your name and address on the Grand Jury Hotline, 657-622-6747.
Grand Jury Flyer and Timeline
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 NOVEMBER 12, 2018
Is Republican dominance of Orange County over?
The Orange County Register, known for the Libertarian foundation of its editorial policy, thinks the answer to the question is yes. (More)
OC DA approves office transition activity for new DA
While not yet conceding defeat in the recent election, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has reportedly authorized his key staff to work with the transition team of Todd Spitzer to take over the office in January. (More)
Orange, LA County inflation at a 10-year high
Is your budget not going as far as it did a year ago? If so, you are not alone, because this story in the Orange County Register reports that inflation in Orange and Los Angeles counties is running at a 10-year high. The story says that so far this year in the two counties it has run at 3.88%. (More)
Governor names legal adviser to CA Supreme Court -Could impact pension case
The San Francisco Chronicle reports Governor Brown, after months of a vacancy has named the Governor’s legal adviser to fill the vacant seat on the California Supreme Court. The nomination must be acted upon by the Commission on Judicial appointments and the article says that could happen by the end of November. The article notes that the Court is “scheduled to hear arguments Dec. 5 in a high-stakes pension case in which public agencies are challenging the so-called California Rule, which allows government workers to collect retirement benefits at least at the same levels available when they were hired.” (More)
Spike in aging population may be far worse than thought
The article in the Orange County Register asks if we are ready for a silver tsunami – a large and growing senior population to where one in five are retirement age. The article says some new studies say this will happen by 2030 and that income and services of this population will in all likelihood being inadequate, leading to a silver tsunami crisis. (More)
Late Friday – Dem’s leading in all OC Congressional Races
The Voice of OC reports that Democrat candidates are leading in the vote count in all Congressional Districts of Orange County. The article also provides the late Friday count trends in the race for Fourth District Orange County Supervisor and various other races in the county. (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.
Luncheons for 2018 are listed below:
January 24 March 28 May 23 September 26 December 5
Please Note: Reservations by phone or mail for the December 5th luncheon must be at the REAOC office by Wednesday, November 28th, 2018.
Luncheons for 2019 are listed below:
January 23 March 27 May 22 September 25 December 4
COST
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 (please note the new location) 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, October 16th at 11:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall (please note the new location) 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 October 9th,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.”
