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
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
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
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 OCTOBER 15, 2018
Typhus outbreak in LA – epidemic levels
According to KNBC news an outbreak of Typhus in Los Angeles has reached epidemic levels in some areas. The article says that the outbreak has reached epidemic levels in Pasadena, and the source is believed to be fleas from domestic and wild animals. (More)
Police warn against oversharing on social media
This KSBY radio story says the police are warning about sharing too much personal information on social media, and it can enable criminals to find you, burglarize your home when you are not there, and other bad things. Control the urge to share TMI (too much information). (More)
Pension fund outlook brightens in 41 states
Bloomberg News reports that a booming economy has “brightened the outlook for most state pension funds. The median funding ratio—a measure of how much pension liabilities are covered by assets currently held—rose to 73.7 percent in 2017 from 71 percent in 2016, though most fell below where they were in 2015. The gap between assets and liabilities widened in only seven states last year” according to the story. (More)
The Lesson for Millennials from Boomers’ Stark Retirement Choices
This article in Forbes reports on the plight of the baby boomer generation as they face retirement. It says that half of older workers who fall in the bottom half of income earners are not covered by any retirement plan at work and have no retirement savings. “Social Security and wage income, for as long as they can work, will be what they will have to rely upon for their financial future.” (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.”
