Kansas Coalition of Public Retirees

ERNIE'S COALITION UPDATES:  by 

                                                           
       Ernie Claudel                                                       Ron Gardner
               eclaudel1@comcast.net                                   rongardner1811@comcast.net
         913-481-6923                                                       913-782-8175

January 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

  • The website, www.ksretirees.org, is in excellent shape and up to date.  Please check the website regularly for the latest info.
  • Remember to send us your updated email address...also if for any reason you should no longer wish to receive this update, let us know at the address(es) listed at the beginning of this “update,” and we will contact you and remove you from the official mailing lists.
  • We have updated Talking and Writing Points posted to the website.  Please check them out! MORE AND MORE INFORMATION IS BEING ADDED.
  • Just a reminder, that this email is an official report of the Kansas Coalition of Public Retirees.  If Ron and I editorialize, we will indicate that fact.

We had a busy meeting today.  There is much activity in Topeka , but to date no firm action.  You recall that we can only apply pressure to create action; we can’t actually create any action ourselves.  Because nothing has been introduced or definitively decided upon, we can only provide you with our evaluation of the situation based on multiple observations of three interim committees and what we hear from legislators.

The following observations have been made:

  1. An increase in the annual contribution to KPERS by the legislature needs to be raised to be in line with actuarial recommendations.  An increase from the present .6% to 1% should be addressed as soon as possible.
  1. Any delay in this contribution increase will only increase the unfunded actuarial liability.  Delay in doing so only makes things worse.  (Increases the unfunded actuarial liability.)
  1. It is less costly to “fix” the present defined benefit plan (by instituting a proper funding strategy) than it is to freeze the present system and begin a 401(k) type defined contribution plan.
  1. It has also been confirmed that the unfunded actuarial liability is considered state debt.  One suggestion has been to reduce this debt, using a bond issue.  The President of the “Kansas Development Finance Authority” informed the Pensions, Benefits, and Investments Committee that the state is putting its bond rating in less jeopardy by using a new issue to reduce the debt, than by NOT authorizing A BOND and letting the unfunded actuarial liability grow.  (In other words, there will be less negative impact on the state bond rating if a new bond issue was authorized, rather than allowing state debt to increase.)
  1. While there are several options, our position is to implore the legislature to establish a method of properly funding the present system!  This includes not changing KPERS to a 401(k) type defined contribution plan. 

Sample Legislative Letter

We have been repeatedly asked what should be written to your state legislators.  You may wish to cut and paste or copy the attached sample letter found at the end of this newsletter.
                                Click here to download the  form letter at the end of this update in a changeable/printable format.

If you need to find the name of your legislator go to:
http:/www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-legisportal/redistricting.do
Or call the capitol toll free and leave a message for your legislator at 1-800-432-3924.

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

As you plan to write the various legislators, please check the website for current addresses.  We have had address changes, committee reassignments and legislative resignations almost weekly. 

The latest are listed below:

Representative Gene Suellentrop R, Wichita has replaced Representative Jason Watkins.
Senator Terrie Huntington has replaced Senator David Wysong from Johnson County .
Representative Melanie Meyer is replacing Representative Don Navinsky
Representative Dr. Barbara Bollier will replace Representative Terrie Huntington who has taken a senate seat.

(Please check with you local election office to verify the identity of your elected officials.)

 

Save a Date!  

The Coalition and its members continue to set up speaking engagements throughout the state to educate members on KPERS issues.  While locations may not be absolute, dates and times will probably hold.  We have asked the sponsoring groups to welcome any KPERS retired and present KPERS members to these presentations.

McPherson - The Little Theatre of McPherson High School reserved for Saturday, March 20, 2010 for a 10:00 AM meeting.

Dodge City – May 20

Emporia – Sept 3

Woodson County in SE Kansas .  A group has banded together to form a unit of retired school personal.  One of the main reasons for this action is the concern about KPERS.

Also planned are meetings in Oakley, Hays, Russell, and Hutchinson .

Periodically check the website for updates on these meetings.  

Have a great week!

Sample letter can be found below…scroll down!
               Click here to download the form letter below in a changeable/printable format.

Senator (or Representative) _________________
Kansas State Capitol
10th and Jackson
Topeka , KS 66612

 

Dear Senator (or Representative) ________________,  

I would like to request that a funding plan be developed putting KPERS back on a sound financial footing for all.  We believe research will indicate that it is less costly to resolve the funding issues with the present defined benefit plan rather than freezing the present system and launching a 401(k) type defined contribution plan. 

I also believe that as soon as possible a plan for a COLA be instituted as it has now been 12 years since the last increase.  Note that because of inflation alone, that $100 in buying power has been reduced to less than $61.00 during this time period.

Thank you for your attention on this matter.

Respectfully,

(Your Signature) ____________________, Voter
Include your address  

 

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