The Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Retired Public Employees’ Association (MRPEA) was held Monday, July 11, 2016, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hilton Jackson and was followed by a reception in the Cabana Room from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. MRPEA Annual Meeting Agenda
Representatives from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi – Lydia Moore, Health & Wellness Coordinator and Brittany Simmons, Registered Dietitian – spoke about health and wellness. The title of their presentation was “Take Charge of Your Health.”
MRPEA Vice President Ann Thames and MRPEA Board Member Ed LeGrand discussed the current political environment at the state and national levels and shared misconceptions about the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS) and the benefits it provides. They also discussed steps active members and retirees of PERS can take to make their voices heard and shared a report on the economic impact of PERS in Mississippi. WHY BE A MEMBER OF MRPEA; Mississippi Factsheet
Richard Self, State Insurance Administrator, presented an update on the State and School Employees’ Health and Life Insurance Plan. MRPEA Annual Meeting Presentation on State Health Plan
PERS Executive Director Pat Robertson provided an update on PERS. She stated that the unaudited rate of return for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2016, was approximately zero percent. Mrs. Robertson stated that the plan’s funded ratio remains at approximately 60 percent. According to Mrs. Robertson, preliminary projections show that, without a significant investment return in 2017, PERS is not currently projected to meet its goal of being 80 percent funded by 2042, which may result in the need for an increase in the employer contribution rate. Mrs. Robertson also provided a legislative update from 2016 and stated that PERS may seek the introduction of another minor technical amendments bill in 2017. PERS 2016 Legislative Summary; PERS Return-to-Work Guide; PERS 2015 PAFR
During the MRPEA Business Meeting, MRPEA President Becky Cade presented the following reports for approval: MRPEA Annual Meeting Minutes 7-13-2015; MRPEA Financial Report
Also during the MRPEA Business Meeting, the MRPEA Nominating Committee, chaired by Curt Thompson, nominated Mike Lightsey and Bob Rhoads to fill the unexpired terms of former MRPEA Treasurer Sarajean Babin and former MRPEA Secretary Peggy Brewer, respectively. Their terms will run through July 31, 2017. Jane Dykes, Martha Garrett, Mike Larsen, Ed LeGrand, and Michael Myrick were all nominated to continue serving on the MRPEA Board for three-year terms that will end July 31, 2019. The Committee also nominated Evelyn Webb to fill the unexpired term of Col. James Ables, who resigned from the MRPEA Board effective April 11 to focus on his health. Her term will run through July 31, 2018. Members in attendance elected the new slate of officers and directors by majority vote. MRPEA Nominating Committee Report
In addition to the voting for leadership, proposed changes to the MRPEA Constitution were brought forward and approved by the required two-thirds of those members present and voting. MRPEA Organizational Review Committee Recommendations
Thank you to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi for being our Gold Level Sponsor and Empower Retirement and Senior Care Plus who were our Platinum Level Sponsors. MRPEA 2016 Annual Mtg – Vendor Sponsorship Levels
Thank you to those who attended the meeting July 11. Your participation is important at meetings and online. Please let others know about MRPEA!