THIS MONTH’S HOT TOPICS

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

Health Plan Rates for 2019

The County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved the new Health Plan Rates for 2019 at their July 17, 2018  meeting.  

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

Informer Newsletter

Click here to read the latest Informer newsletter.

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS – WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

Pension costs underlie tax increase proposals in 7 OC cities

The Voice of OC reports that 7 cities in Orange County “are asking voters to approve tax increases in November’s general election, as officials say they need to either raise taxes or make major cuts to city services and public safety.”   The article goes on to say that “Cities statewide are facing grim budget forecasts, driven in part by the ever-growing cost of public employee pensions.“  (More)

Retirement activity in Washington picks up

Pensions and Investments provides its take on retirement issue related activity in the White House and Congress that it feels is picking up speed. However, it cautions that meaningful outcomes could take months or even years. (More)  

Most working Americans have no retirement savings

According to a report from the National Institute of Retirement Security (NIRS) 57% of working Americans don’t have any kind of savings in an employer sponsored retirement plan or an IRA.   Among those who do have retirement savings, the average balance is only $40,000 according to this story at Pensions and Investments.  (More)

Pay retirement liability faster? – San Diego officials divided

This story in The San Diego Union-Tribune says that the city’s current strong financial position makes it possible to increase payments toward the city’s $2.76 billion unfunded pension liability, but the members of the city’s pension board are divided on whether that is a good idea or not. The story provides a lot of detail on the issue. (More)

87 Days of no clean air in So. Cal

The heat this summer has been something else, not to mention all the wildfires in the west.  This article in the Los Angeles Times reports that these conditions brought 87 consecutive days of failing to meet federal clean air standards. The article says air quality trends the last few years are bad and getting worse.  (More)

Orange County has a new animal shelter and Director

For what seems like decades animal advocates have been super-critical of the way Orange County operates its animal shelter and the worn out shelter itself. Now the county has a new shelter and a new Director, according to this story in the Los Angeles Times/Daily Pilot. (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 September 26th luncheon must be at the REAOC office by Wednesday, September 19th, 2018.

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

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 2019

If you have any questions regarding your health plan, please contact the County’s Employee Benefits section at (800) 858-7266.

Please click on the links below for the charts provided by the County for the 2019 Health Plan rates:

2019 Sharewell and Wellwise Health Plan Rates 

2019 HMO and PPO Health Plan Rates

HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2018

Please click on the links below for the charts provided by the County for the 2018 Health Plan rates:

Sharewell and Wellwise Health Plan Rate Tables for 2018

HMO & PPO Health Plan Tables for 2018

Below is a link to the County PPO Blue Shield website. It’s a great website, retirees can track their claims (once they register), find network providers, get plan information, price prescriptions, etc.

 Please click here to go to the website.

On the bottom left corner of the find a provider page is a place to check the network outside of CA.

Blue Shield of Ca contracts for the Blue Cross Nationwide network so the provider options  outside of CA are very good.

The County of Orange also provided this Retiree Services and Resources for REAOC.  Please click here to access this document.

For information about the supplemental insurance including dental and vision coverage, please click on the link below. 

Supplemental Insurance Benefits