2022 KEITH CONCANNON SCHOLARSHIPS
Starting January 2, 2022, scholarship applications may be requested by either sending an e-mail to reaoc@reaoc.org or by calling the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995. Please click here to access the Scholarship Informational Packet for 2022. To read additional information about the scholarship, please click here.
UPDATE ON THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
GAYLAN HARRIS, on behalf of himself and others similarly situated, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. the County of Orange, Defendant-Appellee.
As many of you are aware, there was a hearing at the United States Court of Appeals heard by a three-member panel of judges in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal on November 18, 2020, regarding the Harris, Jahn, McConnell, et.al. v County of Orange, Class Action lawsuit (filed in February 2009 on behalf of County employees enrolled in County health plans who retired prior to January 2008). While REAOC is not a party in this class action lawsuit, your REAOC Board of Directors is monitoring the progress of the case closely as it affects many members of our association.
Named plaintiffs, on behalf of thousands of retired County employees participating in County-sponsored health care plans, filed this lawsuit against the County of Orange challenging changes it made to the structure of two health benefits. These benefits are the Retiree Health Care Grant, a monthly stipend that retirees receive to defray their health insurance premium expense and the second benefit is the annual cap on Grant Multiplier that was changed from 5% to 3%.
A decision was filed on October 28, 2021, regarding the November 18, 2020 hearing by Johnnie B. Rawlinson and Danielle J. Forrest, Circuit Judges, and Morrison C. England, Jr., District Judge from the 9th Circuit Court. Unfortunately, the plaintiffs (retirees) once again did not prevail. You may read the entire decision at: http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2021/10/28/19-56387.pdf .
At our November 3, 2021, REAOC Board meeting, we discussed the Class Action Ruling and the REAOC Board agreed to continue to support the lawsuit. A Petition for Panel Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc was filed on November 12th by Michael P. Brown of Gordon Tilden Thomas Cordell LLP, Seattle, Washington, attorney for the Plaintiff-Appellant. An en banc session is a session in which a case is heard before 11 judges randomly selected from all the 9th Circuit judges rather than by a three-judge panel as was done in our hearing. En banc review is used for unusually complex or important cases or when the court feels there is a particularly significant issue at stake. The court grants en banc review only on rare occasions.
Unfortunately, the panel and the court denied the reconsideration/rehearing petition. The one judge who pointed out the several errors in the reasoning of the other two panel judges voted to have the appeal reconsidered and the ruling corrected. But the other two judges declined our request. The result is that the original ruling remains in effect.
After battling for almost 13 years, this is the end of the line for this class action lawsuit. Needless to say, this ruling is a disappointment. However, we are confident that a good fight was fought, not only for a worthy cause, but for right and just reasons.
MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying for healthcare costs, there may be ways to save money on Medicare premiums and other costs. You can get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions. Please click here for additional information.
The County of Orange Health Care Agency has continued to update their 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 JANUARY 10, 2022
The proposed State budget for FY 2021-22 and the CalPERS pension system
An article issued by CalPERS says the Governor’s proposed budget “in addition to paying the regular required annual state contribution, the budget includes an additional payment of $1.5 billion to CalPERS for fiscal year (FY) 2021-22 to reduce the state’s unfunded liability obligations. This will result in up to $3.5 billion additional estimated savings for the state over the next three decades.” (Read More)
Who should pay for pension mistakes? New California law puts employers on the hook.
The Sacramento Bee reports “California state retirees can breathe a little easier on Jan. 1, as a new law goes into effect directing the California Public Employees Retirement System to go after employers — not retirees — in cases where the pension system discovers errors in pension calculations. The law ends a practice in which CalPERS and government employers like city governments required retirees to repay miscalculated pensions while reducing their retirement income going forward. Instead, the new law puts government employers on the hook for those mistakes.” And “The law “protects our public servants such as retired firefighters and police officers from unfair benefit cuts when — through no fault of their own — mistakes were previously made in determining their retirement benefits,” Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, said about her Senate Bill 278.” (Read More)
Editor’s Note: Current information is that this legislation applies only to the state CalPERS retirement system.
California lets 23 leases expire as workers stay remote
Governing reports “The Department of General Services will relinquish approximately 767,000 square feet of office space as many state departments continue with remote work. The state expects to save about $22.5 million annually. (Read More)
School stress explodes as COVID-19 cases soar
This Orange County Register article reports on the realities of public school in OC these days: “Teacher absences, testing shortfalls, confusion; parents and students throughout Orange County are feeling the strain.” (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 Fountain Valley and Hemet 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 2022
The County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved the new rates for the retiree health plans for 2022 at their meeting on July 13, 2021. The rate charts may be seen below.
Click here for the PPO rate charts (Wellwise and Sharewell)
Click here for the HMO rate charts (Kaiser, Scan and Blue Cross)
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
