This Special Bulletin was authored by Frances Rogers & Amit Katzir.
The California Supreme Court issued a long-awaited decision in Cal Fire Local 2881 v. CalPERS, a case addressing whether the Legislature’s elimination of “air time” as an …
Tag Archives: CalPERS
It’s a New Fiscal Year – Time to Reset Your CalPERS Stopwatch
Posted in Pension, Retirement
This post was authored by Matthew Nakano.
As public agencies near the end of the first quarter of the new fiscal year, now is the ideal time for California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) agencies to verify that hours …
Deadline For Reporting Out-of-Class Appointments to CalPERS Is Fast Approaching: Are You Ready?
Posted in Retirement
The post was authored by Stephanie Lowe.
CalPERS agencies must report the number of hours worked by employees in “out-of-class appointments” to CalPERS no later than July 30, 2018. As discussed in our earlier blog, Assembly Bill 1487 …
CalPERS Issues Circular Letter Regarding Employer Obligations for Out-of-Class Appointments, But Many Questions Remain
Posted in Retirement
This post was authored by Michael Youril.
On April 27, 2018, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) issued Circular Letter No.: 200-021-18, which discusses limitations imposed on “out-of-class appointments” by Assembly Bill 1487, which added Government Code …
CalPERS Reduces Amortization Period with Impacts to Employer Contribution Rates
Posted in Retirement
This post was authored by Stephanie J. Lowe and Frances Rogers.
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) recently decided to change its Actuarial Amortization Policy (“Amortization Policy”), which will impact employer contribution rates for contracting agencies. The revised …
Labor Negotiations in 2017 – My Life at the Table
Posted in Labor Relations, Negotiations, Pension, Wage and Hour
This post was authored by Peter J. Brown
As 2017 comes to a close, it is a time of reflection for me since I have spent so much time this year in collective bargaining negotiations and in Board and Council …
New Law on Out-of-Class Assignments Requires More Homework for CalPERS Agencies
Posted in Employment, Hiring, Legislation, Retirement, Workplace Policies
The California Legislature recently passed AB 1487, which is now codified as Government Code section 20480. The new law applies only to CalPERS agencies and limits the amount of time that an employee can work in an “out-of-class appointment” to …
Retirement for Disability – Latest Developments in CalPERS’ Requirements
Posted in Retirement
Retirement for disability can already be a cumbersome and confusing process. The California Public Employees’ Retirement System’s (CalPERS) new and additional mandates – as set forth in its March 30, 2017 Circular Letter – raises the ante. The Letter informs …
CalPERS School and Local Agency Members May Now Recover Service Credit and Compensation Earnable Upon Administrative, Arbitral or Judicial Reversals of Terminations
Posted in Retirement
CalPERS contracting agencies and schools should be aware that effective January 1, 2017, if an employee’s termination is overturned on appeal, back pay is not the only thing the employee will be able to recover. On June 21, 2016, we …
CalPERS Explains Impact to Employer Contributions Due to Reduction in the Assumed Rate of Return
Posted in Retirement
On January 19, 2017, CalPERS provided greater clarity on how contracting agency employers, and even some members, will see contribution rate increases due to a decision to reduce the assumed rate of return. On December 20, 2016, we …
CalPERS Poised to Lower Discount Rate Again, Increase Employer Contributions
Posted in Retirement
CalPERS agencies still reeling from the increase in employer contribution rates beginning 2013/2014 may very well experience yet another increase in the next couple of years due to a further reduction in the “discount rate” or rate of return. Simply …
When Retirees Earn Post-Retirement Income, Is Your Agency Responsible for Their Increased Costs to Medicare?
Posted in Retirement
After the retirement parties are over, some individuals never truly retire. Instead of taking it easy, some retirees choose to perform post-retirement work for non-CalPERS employers. For example, a retired police captain may work for a private security firm and …
A Closer Look At The Restrictions On Hiring Retirees (And Also The Exceptions!)
Posted in RetirementThis blog post was authored by Danny Y. Yoo.
CalPERS issued a Circular Letter on July 12, 2016, which provided information on its compliance review process and its most common findings, including employing retired annuitants. In our practice, we …
Reinstated CalPERS School and Local Agency Members May be Able to Recover Service Credit and Compensation Earnable under AB 2028
Posted in Retirement
This blog post was authored by Liara A. Silva.
On February 16, 2016, Assembly Member Cooper introduced Assembly Bill 2028. If passed, the bill will allow reinstated CalPERS school and local agency members to receive service credit and compensation …
Independent Contractor = No CalPERS Membership, Right? Not so Fast!
Posted in Retirement
This blog post was authored by Oliver Yee.
The use of independent contractors in the public sector is becoming more and more common. With rising pension costs coupled with budget cuts, utilizing an independent contractor in lieu of an …
Unreasonable Request – Is CalPERS Putting You Between a Rock and a Hard Place??
Posted in Pension, Retirement
This blog post was authored by Michael Youril.
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) has significantly increased the number of contracting agency audits to ensure that agencies’ practices are consistent with CalPERS’ interpretation of governing law. At the …
Rate Hike Ahead: CalPERS’ Proposed Strategy Means Contribution Rates Will Continue to Rise for the Foreseeable
Posted in Retirement
This blog post was authored by Michael Youril.
Employers contracting with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) are still grappling with rate increases initiated in 2013 which continue to build for the foreseeable future. Now, CalPERS has signaled …
Transit Agencies in Legal Limbo over PEPRA
Posted in Pension, Retirement
This blog post was authored by Erin Kunze.
A number of California transit agencies, as well as cities and counties that operate and maintain transit systems, are in legal limbo over whether the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of …
Is it Already time to Start Preparing For Cost Sharing Changes in 2018?
Posted in Pension, RetirementThis blog post was authored by Steven M. Berliner.
Cost sharing has become a very valuable tool for employers seeking to cut the cost of retirement benefits. It is where the employee pays part of the employer’s required contribution …
Court Holds City Lawfully Changed Retiree Medical Contributions After the Labor Agreements Expired
Posted in Retirement
This blog post was authored by James Oldendorph.
In a case handled by LCW attorneys, Steve Berliner, Frances Rogers and Stefanie Vaudreuil, a California Court of Appeal affirmed a judgment by the Los Angeles County Superior Court …
Affordable Care Act Limitations When Hiring a Retired Annuitant – A Potential Catch 22
Posted in Healthcare, Retirement
This post was authored by Heather DeBlanc
Under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) large employer shared responsibility provisions, employers are required to offer minimum essential coverage that is both affordable and provides minimum value to substantially all full-time employees and …
With Labor Negotiations Approaching, is Your Agency Ready for a CalPERS Audit?
Posted in RetirementThis blog post was authored by Michael Youril
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) substantially increased the number of public agency audits it conducted last year. As discussed in our previous post, the audit process can be long, …
Some Relief for CalPERS Employers Faced With Arrears or Payroll Adjustments
Posted in Retirement This blog post was authored by Steven M. Berliner
We have discussed in prior blog posts that more and more agencies are being audited by CalPERS. The auditors may find that compensation was not reported correctly or that individuals (such …
Is Bankruptcy the Way Out of Pension Obligations?
Posted in Pension, Retirement
This blog post was authored by Paul D. Knothe
We are all aware of the ongoing discussion over the rising cost of public pension benefits and whether they are sustainable in the long run. However, one unanswered question was lurking …