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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
TIME: 8:45 a.m.
DATE: Wednesday, June 13, 2018
LOCATION: CONFERENCE ROOM A
County of Riverside Administrative Center
4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor, Riverside
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dana Reed, City of Indian Wells – Chair
Chuck Washington, County of Riverside, District 3 – Vice Chair
Ben Benoit, City of Wildomar – Second Vice Chair
John F. Tavaglione, County of Riverside, District 2 – Past Chair
Lloyd White, City of Beaumont
Karen Spiegel, City of Corona
Michael Wilson, City of Indio
Rick Gibbs, City of Murrieta
Kevin Jeffries, County of Riverside, District 1
V. Manuel Perez, County of Riverside, District 4
Marion Ashley, County of Riverside, District 5
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Reviews and makes final decisions on personnel issues
and office operational matters.
COMM-EC-00036
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
8:45 A.M.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018
County of Riverside Administrative Center
Conference Room A
4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor, Riverside
In compliance with the Brown Act and Government Code Section 54957.5, agenda materials distributed
72 hours prior to the meeting, which are public records relating to open session agenda items, will be
available for inspection by members of the public prior to the meeting at the Commission office, 4080
Lemon Street, Third Floor, Riverside, CA, and on the Commission’s website, www.rctc.org.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Government Code Section 54954.2, if you need
special assistance to participate in an Executive Committee meeting, please contact the Clerk of the Board
at (951) 787-7141. Notification of at least 48 hours prior to meeting will assist staff in assuring that
reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility at the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES – APRIL 11, 2018
4. ADDITIONS/REVISIONS – The Committee may add an item to the Agenda after making a
finding that there is a need to take immediate action on the item and that the item came to
the attention of the Committee subsequent to the posting of the agenda. An action adding
an item to the agenda requires 2/3 vote of the Committee. If there are less than 2/3 of the
Committee members present, adding an item to the agenda requires a unanimous vote.
Added items will be placed for discussion at the end of the agenda.
RCTC Executive Committee Special Meeting Agenda
June 13, 2018
Page 2
5. SUMMARY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM CONTRACTS AND
RELATED BENEFITS
Overview
This item is for the Committee to receive and file the summary of California Public
Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) contracts and related benefits.
6. ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA ITEM 3
MINUTES
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
April 11, 2018
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Executive Committee was called to order by Chairman Dana Reed at
8:34 a.m. in Conference Room A at the County of Riverside Administrative Center
4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor, Riverside, California, 92501.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent
Marion Ashley V. Manuel Perez
Ben Benoit Michael Wilson
Rick Gibbs
Kevin Jeffries
Dana Reed
Karen Spiegel*
John Tavaglione
Chuck Washington
*Arrived after the meeting was called to order
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no requests to speak from the public.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/S/C (Washington/Reed) to approve the minutes of December 13, 2017
meeting as submitted.
4. ADDITIONS/REVISIONS
There were no additions or revisions to the agenda.
At this time, Commissioner Karen Spiegel joined the meeting.
RCTC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2018
Page 2
5. RIVERSIDE OFFICE SUITE
Gary Ratliff, Facilities Administrator, provided an over view of the proposed amendment
to the Agreement with Riverside County for the occupancy of the office suite located at
4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor, Riverside, California, 92501 for a ten year term.
M/S/C (Gibbs/Tavaglione) to:
1) Ratify execution of Lease Agreement No. 03-12-018-02, Amendment No. 2 to
Agreement No. 03-12-018-00, with the County of Riverside (County) for the
occupancy of the office suite (19,270 square feet) located at 4080 Lemon Street,
3rd floor, Riverside, California 92501 (Riverside Office) for a 10-year term in a
monthly amount of $44,128 with an annual increase of three percent and a one-
time tenant improvement cost of $168,673; and
2) Authorize the Executive Director to procure and execute agreements, subject to
legal counsel review, for improvements to and new furnishings for the original
office suite for an amount not to exceed $276,000.
6. PROPOSED COMMITTEE RESTRUCTURING AND ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHANGES
John Standiford, Deputy Executive Director, provided an overview of the proposed
changes to the Administrative Code, including: disbanding the Eastern Riverside County
Programs and Projects Committee, forming a standing Toll Policy and Operations
Committee, clarifying Executive Committee membership to include the city of Jurupa
Valley with the group that includes cities of a population of over 100,000, and amending
dated language pertaining to the Commission’s Fiscal Officer.
M/S/C (Gibbs/Benoit) to:
1) Review and approve disbanding the Eastern Riverside County Programs
and Projects Committee;
2) Approve the formation of a standing Toll Policy and Operations
Committee;
3) Restate and clarify Executive Committee membership;
4) Amend dated language pertaining to the Commission’s Fiscal Officer;
and
5) Forward to the Commission for final action.
RCTC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2018
Page 3
7. CLOSED SESSION – 2018 CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY AND FISCAL
YEAR 2018/2019 ORGANIZATION
7A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO SECTION 54957.6
Agency designated Representatives: Executive Director
Unrepresented Employees: All Commission employees other than Executive
Director
2018 Classification and Compensation Study Recommendations and Fiscal year
2018/19 Organization Recommendations
There were no reportable actions from the Closed Session.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no other items to be considered, the Executive Committee meeting
adjourned at 9:19 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Mobley
Clerk of the Board
AGENDA ITEM 5
Agenda Item 5
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
DATE: June 13, 2018
TO: Executive Committee
FROM: Beth Gutierrez, Human Resources Administrator
Theresia Trevino, Chief Financial Officer
THROUGH: Anne Mayer, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Summary of California Public Employee Retirement System Contracts and
Related Benefits
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for the Committee to receive and file the summary of California Public Employee
Retirement System (CalPERS) contracts and related benefits.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
At the April 11 Executive Committee meeting, staff committed to provide a report regarding the
Commission’s retirement benefits. This report is a summary of the retirement benefits under
defined benefit plans, health benefits, and postemployment benefits other than pensions
(OPEB); financial disclosures regarding the funding of these benefits; pending legislation that may
impact these benefits; and potential issues for future consideration.
Attachment 1 provides an overview of the history, governance, and investments and fund
management of and benefits provided by CalPERS.
Retirement Benefits under Defined Benefit Plans
CalPERS administers a defined benefit plan that provides public employee retirement benefits
based upon a contractual agreement with the Riverside County Transportation Commission
(RCTC). Under this plan, retirement benefits are calculated using a member's years of service
credit, age at retirement, and final compensation (average salary for a defined period of
employment), and the retirement formulas as outlined in the contract between CalPERS and
RCTC.
RCTC provides all regular and probationary employees with retirement benefits through CalPERS.
The California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), which became effective in January
2013, changed the application of CalPERS retirement and health benefits. As a result, there are
two types of memberships dependent upon the employee’s original hire date:
Agenda Item 5
• Classic Members include any new employee enrolled into the CalPERS system prior to
January 1, 2013, and who does not have more than a 6-month break from membership if
moving between PERS employers.
• PEPRA or New Members include a new employee brought into the CalPERS system for
the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any
California public retirement system. A new hire would be considered a New Member if
they held prior California public retirement system membership but had a break in service
greater than six months.
RCTC has contracted for retirement benefits through CalPERS since September 3, 1977. Over the
years, the Commission has executed minor amendments to the contract in order to remain
current with Public Employee Retirement Law (PERL) as well as PEPRA. The benefits for both
memberships are outlined below:
Classic Member Benefits PEPRA or New Member Benefits
Retirement Formula 2.7% @ 55 (earliest retirement at
age 50 with a prorated formula).
2% @ 62 (earliest retirement at
age 57 with a prorated formula).
Final Compensation Period Highest average calculation over
the last 12-month period.
Highest average calculation over
the last 36-month period.
Cost of Living Allowance
(COLA)
Up to a 3% COLA: Based upon Consumer Price Index and paid in May of
the 2nd year of retirement.
Pre-Retirement Death
Benefit
The surviving spouse of a member who has attained the minimum age
for voluntary service retirement in his or her last employment preceding
death may elect to receive an allowance equal to the amount that the
member would have received in retirement.
1959 Survivor Post-
Retirement Allowance
(Level Three)
The surviving spouse of a member continues to receive an allowance
equal to the amount that the member received in retirement.
Unused Sick Leave Credit A member may convert his or her unused sick leave to service credit at a
rate of 8 hours per day.
Industrial Disability
Retirement
Any local member incapacitated for the performance of duty as the
result of an industrial disability shall be retired for disability regardless of
age or amount of service.
PEPRA caps the annual pensionable compensation used to calculate final compensation for New
Members. This cap is tied to a compensation cap set by the Internal Revenue Service for Social
Security Benefits, referred to as the 430(b) limit. Adjustments to the caps are permitted annually
based on changes to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Member contributions
will stop when the member’s actual earnings reach the contribution limits.
Member Retirement Contributions
Member contribution rates are set by statute and can vary by membership category
(miscellaneous or safety) and by benefit formula. Member contribution rates can change based
on legislative law changes; however, the rise and fall of the contribution percentages does not
Agenda Item 5
affect member-accrued retirement benefits that are guaranteed by law. RCTC employees, as
miscellaneous employees, contribute a percentage of their salary throughout their active
membership. Currently, RCTC Classic Member employees contribute 8 percent of their annual
salary, and PEPRA or New Members contribute 7.25 percent of their annual salary representing
50 percent of the total normal cost of the benefit plan in which they participate.
Employer Retirement Contributions
On average, schools and other public agencies contribute 12.7 percent of payroll for their
employees' retirement benefits; however, the rates can increase if CalPERS' investments perform
unfavorably and decrease if CalPERS' investments perform favorably. According to CalPERS, "The
School Pool contribution rate is affected by the investment return of a given fiscal year in the
second year that follows" and "Local public agency contribution rates are affected by the
investment return of a given fiscal year in the third fiscal year that follows". CalPERS' earnings
and losses are averaged over 15 years to prevent extreme changes in employers' contribution
rates.
Employers’ contributions and stated unfunded liabilities are calculated using the actuarial
present value and an assumption that the fund will continually grow at 7.5 percent. However, if
an employer seeks to leave CalPERS, it will be required to immediately payoff the undisclosed
current market value of the unfunded liabilities, which only assumes 2.56 percent growth.
The employer normal cost contribution rates as a percentage of annual salaries for Fiscal Year
2016/17 compared to FY 2017/18 are presented in the following table:
Employer Contribution Rates
Classic Members PEPRA or New Members
FY 2016/17 14.012% 7.283%
FY 2017/18 14.053% 7.262%
FY 2018/19 14.719% 7.654%
Pension Plan Financial Disclosures
The Commission’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) includes notes to the financial
statements regarding the CalPERS pension plan.
Annual required contributions consist of (1) normal cost applied to reported payroll and (2) the
employer payment toward the unfunded accrued liability (UAL) based on an amortization
Agenda Item 5
schedule; the employer payments toward the UAL includes interest paid on the UAL balance or
principal. The UAL represents the net pension liability1, which is calculated as:
Total Pension Liability Based on an actuarial valuation performed at least every
two years, this represents the present value of projected
benefit payments to be provided by the plan to current
active and inactive employees that is attributed to those
employee’s past period of service.
Less: Pension Plan’s Fiduciary Net Position Represents plan’s market value of assets
Net Pension Liability (or UAL) Represents the plan’s unfunded pension liability or
principal balance owed, similar to bonded indebtedness.
Contributions made during FY 2016/17 and the net pension liability as of June 30, 2017, are
presented in the following table:
FY 2016/17
Contributions $1,238,891 (Employer)
$432,377 (Employee)
Net Pension Liability $7,639,639
An additional disclosure in the notes to the financial statements is the sensitivity of the
proportionate share of the net pension liability to changes in the discount rate used to measure
the total pension liability. The total pension liability of $7,639,639, based on a June 30, 2015
actuarial valuation, used a discount rate of 7.65 percent. A one percent decrease in the discount
rate to 6.65 percent results in a net pension liability of $11,481,801, while a one percent increase
in the discount rate to 8.65 percent results in a net pension liability of $4,464,283.
The CAFR also includes required supplementary information regarding the Commission’s
proportionate share of the net pension liability and pension contributions (Attachment 2). As of
June 30, 2017, the plan is 74 percent funded.
Health Benefits
Since March 1, 1978, RCTC has provided employees access to group health insurance through the
Public Employee’s Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA). The CalPERS Board of
Administration administers the PEMHCA health benefits program and determines the benefits
design, including any co-pays and deductibles, providers, and premiums. RCTC pays the cost of
1 The net pension liability of employers to employees for the defined benefit plan is now recorded as a liability on
the Commission’s government-wide financial statements in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards
Board (GASB) Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions—An Amendment of GASB
Statement No. 27. Prior to the required implementation date for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2014 (FY
2014/15 for the Commission), government employers did not record this liability but disclosed it in the notes to the
financial statements—creating accountability and transparency issues. As a result of the recession, public awareness
and debate are heightened regarding the underfunding of most public defined benefit pension plans and strain on
government budgets due to increased contribution costs.
Agenda Item 5
medical insurance to CalPERS at the rate approved by the Executive Committee and as set forth
in a resolution adopted in accordance with Government Code Section 22892(a). RCTC has
provided $600 as its monthly employer contribution toward employee’s health premiums since
March 2005 (Resolution No. 05-004). At the April meeting, the Executive Committee approved
an increase in the monthly employer contribution to $750 effective September 1, 2018. At the
June Commission meeting, adoption of Resolution No. 18-004 related to the monthly employer
contribution increase is the subject of a recommendation included in the adoption of the
FY 2018/19 budget.
CalPERS currently offers health maintenance organization (HMO) and preferred provider
organization (PPO) medical plans. RCTC employee participation in the medical plans is
summarized below:
• 71 percent of RCTC employees are enrolled in HMO plans administered by Blue Shield of
California, Anthem Blue Cross, United Healthcare, Health Net, and Kaiser Permanente.
• 18 percent of RCTC staff are enrolled in PPO plans called "PERS Select," "PERS Care," and
"PERS Choice," which are administered by Anthem Blue Cross.
• 11 percent of RCTC staff are not enrolled in medical plans through RCTC/CalPERS.
OPEB
RCTC provides retirement health benefits based upon the PERL Vesting Schedule G.C. 22893. To
be eligible for retirement health benefits, an employee’s retirement from RCTC must be effective
within 120 days of the employee’s separation from employment with RCTC and the employee
must be receiving a retirement allowance from CalPERS resulting from the employee’s service
with RCTC. To determine the monthly amount RCTC will pay toward an employee’s medical
premium, the retiree must have at least ten years of CalPERS membership and at least five of
those years of service must have been performed entirely at RCTC. Retired employees who
satisfy the preceding requirements are eligible to continue health coverage offered by CalPERS.
The level of benefits varies depending upon the employee’s date of employment with RCTC.
The benefit for these retirees will be determined, in part, by the retiree’s years of service with a
CalPERS employer and, in part, by a contribution level based on a weighted average of the
premiums of the four largest medical benefit plans offered by CalPERS. The amount paid by RCTC
toward the employee’s monthly health premium is determined by the 100/90 State Annuitant
Contribution schedule as follows:
Agenda Item 5
Credited Years
of PERS Service
Applicable
Percentage
10 50
11 55
12 60
13 65
14 70
15 75
16 80
17 85
18 90
19 95
20 or more 100
For 2018, the 100/90 State Annuitant Contribution towards retiree medical premiums is:
Contribution Rates by Premium Tier
Employee Only Employee + 1 Family
$725 $1,377 $1,766
Attachment 3 provides a history of the 100/90 State Annuitant Contribution rates and percent
change.
In 2007, the Commission entered into an agreement with the California Employers’ Retiree
Benefit Trust (CERBT) administered by CalPERS to establish a trust to fund the Commission’s OPEB
benefits. Previously, the Commission paid OPEB obligations on a pay-as-you-go basis.
OPEB Financial Disclosures
The Commission’s CAFR also includes notes to the financial statements regarding RCTC’s OPEB.
Annual required contributions are based on an actuarially determined contribution comprised of
normal cost and amortization of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability, or net OPEB liability2;
the employer payment toward the net OPEB liability includes interest paid on the liability balance
or principal. The net OPEB liability is calculated as:
2 The net OPEB liability of employers to employees for the OPEB plan is now recorded as a liability on the
Commission’s government-wide financial statements in accordance with GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and
Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions. In FY 2016/17, the Commission early
implemented GASB No. 75 prior to its required implementation date for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2017.
Before implementation, government employers did not record this liability but disclosed it in the notes to the
financial statements—creating accountability and transparency issues similar to those noted regarding public
pension plans.
Agenda Item 5
Total OPEB Liability Based on an actuarial valuation performed at least every
two years, this represents the present value of projected
benefit payments to be provided by the plan to current
active and inactive employees that is attributed to those
employee’s past period of service.
Less: OPEB Plan’s Fiduciary Net Position Represents plan’s market value of assets
Net OPEB Liability Represents the plan’s unfunded OPEB liability or principal
balance owed, similar to bonded indebtedness.
Contributions made during FY 2016/17 to the OPEB plan trust and the net OPEB liability as of
June 30, 2017, are presented in the following table:
FY 2016/17
Contributions $666,000 (100% Employer)
Net OPEB Liability $676,000
An additional disclosure in the notes to the financial statements is the sensitivity of the
proportionate share of the net OPEB liability to changes in the discount rate and the healthcare
cost trend rate used to measure the total OPEB liability. The following table summarizes the
impact of a 1 percent change in these rates.
Discount Rate Healthcare Trend Rate
% Net OPEB Liability % Net OPEB Liability
1% Decrease 5.00% $1,595,000 5.5%-6.5% ($98,000)
Current Rate 6.00% $676,000 6.5%-7.5% $676,000
1% Increase 7.00% ($68,000) 7.5%-8.5% $1,623,000
The CAFR also includes required supplementary information regarding the Commission’s
proportionate share of the net OPEB liability and OPEB contributions (Attachment 2). As of
June 30, 2017, the plan is 89 percent funded.
Pending Legislation
At the June Commission meeting, staff will provide information on Assembly Bill 1912 (AB 1912).
This bill would make member agencies of a joint powers authority (JPA) jointly and severally liable
for JPA public retirement obligations.
• It would prohibit CalPERS from contracting with a JPA unless member agencies agree to
be liable.
• It entitles CalPERS to place a lien on assets of the JPA and member agencies.
• It specifies if the parties do not enter into an agreement, the member agencies would
assume JPA retirement obligations.
Agenda Item 5
Due to deep concern over the financial liability AB 1912 poses to the Commission, as well as
potential harmful impacts on the Commission’s bond marketability and its credit rating, staff is
recommending an “oppose” position on AB 1912.
These are additional Senate bills (SB) currently under consideration that may impact the
Commission’s retirement benefits:
• SB 1031 proposes to permit employers to freeze COLAs for retirees if the plan is not 80
percent funded 3.
o This bill would prohibit a public retirement system from making a COLA to any
allowance payable to, or on behalf of, a person retired under the system who
becomes a new member on or after January 1, 2019.
o It would eliminate the benefit to any survivor or beneficiary of that retired
member for the unfunded actuarial liability of that system if greater than
20 percent.
o It would require that the determination of unfunded actuarial liability be based on
a specified financial report and would apply the prohibition on COLAs, if any, to
the calendar year following the fiscal year upon which the report is based.
• SB 1032 proposes to make it easier for employers to exit CalPERS without paying
termination fees4.
o This bill would authorize a contracting agency to terminate its contract with the
board at the agency’s will and would not require the contracting agency to fully
fund the board’s pension liability upon termination of the contract.
o It would authorize the board to reduce the member’s benefits in the terminated
agency pool by the percentage of liability unfunded.
o It would authorize a contracting agency who terminates its contract with the
board to transfer the assets accumulated in the system to a pension provider
designated by the contracting agency.
• SB 1033 proposes to shift the burden of increased pension costs to the last employer that
hired the employee 5.
o This bill would require that an agency participating in CalPERS who increases the
compensation of a member previously employed by a different agency bear all
actuarial liability for the action, if it results in an increased actuarial liability beyond
what would have been reasonably expected for the member.
• SB 1149 proposes to offer employees the option of choosing a more portable 401(k) plan
and opt out of Cal PERS6.
o This bill would create a new optional defined contribution plan for new public
employees who first begin employment in a miscellaneous or industrial
3 Karol K. Denniston, “Pension Pain”, The Bill is Due: Now What? Infrastructure, Pensions and the Environment,
April 24, 2018
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
Agenda Item 5
classification on or after January 1, 2020, and who were not members of any public
retirement system prior to that date.
The California Rule
Finally, PEPRA represents an initial major effort in California related to pension reform, and it was
primarily limited to new hires with no vested rights. Certain elements related to PEPRA have
been challenged in the state courts. These cases are now pending before the California Supreme
Court, and it is possible that the “California Rule” related to individual vested rights may be
modified.
As a result of various prior state court rulings, including the Long Beach decision in 1955, it has
been the prevalent belief that a pension benefit offered upon hire becomes a vested right that is
protected by contract law. Therefore, it cannot be reduced unless it is offset by a comparable
new benefit that would eliminate any cost savings. This limitation has been an impediment to
legal pension reform urged by many groups in order to mitigate the public pension crisis and
impact on government services. Trial and appellate courts that have heard the cases pending
before the state Supreme Court have found that current employees have a vested right to a
“reasonable pension” and not the one offered upon hire. Should the high court affirm the lower
court decisions, the “California Rule” would likely be reshaped via legislative changes and there
would be no significant pension funding relief in the short-term.
Potential Issues for Future Consideration
As noted earlier, the proposed FY 2018/19 budget will be presented at the June Commission
meeting for adoption. Although the Commission’s toll operations are a service, the budget
continues to demonstrate that the Commission is a project-driven agency. Unlike its member
cities and the County of Riverside, personnel costs are insignificant in the FY 2018/19 budget of
approximately $881 million as noted in the table below:
Amount % of Budget % of Personnel Costs
Total Personnel Costs $10,354,700 1.17% 100%
Benefit Costs included in Personnel Costs:
Retirement 1,553,500 0.20% 15.00%
Health 635,000 0.07% 6.13%
OPEB 549,000 0.06% 5.30%
As a special district, the Commission is not currently faced with the same financial pressures as
its members; however, staff is keenly aware of the statewide pension sustainability conversation
taking place as well as pending legislative and legal issues as they may have a direct and/or
indirect impact on the Commission in the long-term. Some of the issues that staff is monitoring
and may present to the Executive Committee for strategic planning at a future meeting are as
follows:
Agenda Item 5
• The 2009 Measure A is the major source of funding for the Commission’s projects and
programs, and it expires on June 30, 2039. Should the County’s electorate not approve
another transportation sales tax measure, the Commission may need to reduce the staff
size due to a change in its operations. However, the Commission’s obligations to fund
retirement and OPEB benefits will continue. In recent years there has been increased
attention to smaller special districts or governmental agencies that have had to terminate
their contracts with CalPERS at a very high cost. These terminations have been related to
loss of funding sources or inability to sustain required contributions. As a result, retirees
receiving retirement benefits have been impacted by reduced payments.
• Among many factors, retirement plan contributions are affected by the amortization of
the UAL or net pension liability. The amortization schedule over time includes an interest
charge on the net pension liability; therefore, the sum of the employer payments toward
the UAL consists of amortization of the net pension liability principal balance and the
interest or finance charge. The Commission could pay off the net pension liability balance
or it can apply a “fresh start” to the amortization schedule for the UAL related to the
Classic Members plan 7. This “fresh start” would collapse all the amortization bases into
a single base to reamortize the UAL. Some of the “fresh start” options are presented
below:
7 Per the 2016 actuarial valuation, there are 93 Classic Members (consisting of active, transferred, separated, and
retired employees) compared to 4 New Members. The amortization of the New Members’ UAL is not material to
the analysis.
Agenda Item 5
Staff will continue to maintain an awareness of matters that impact the Commission’s ability to
fulfill its benefit obligations and present updates to the Executive Committee.
Fiscal Impact
This report is intended as a summary of retirement and health benefits provided by the
Commission. Staff is not proposing any actions by the Executive Committee; however, legislative
developments and other issues for future strategic consideration that may have a financial
impact may be presented to the Executive Committee at a later date.
Attachments:
1) PERS Overview
2) Financial Information Related to Net Pension/OPEB Liabilities and Pension/OPEB
contributions
3) 100/90 State Annuitant Contribution Rates
California Public Employee’s Retirement System
The California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) is an organization that provides
numerous benefits to its more than 1.9 million members. As of 2018, the agency has over $360
billion in assets, and is under-funded by an estimated $150 billion, with current assets below 70%
of what is necessary to provide for liabilities. In an effort to reduce this shortfall, at the end of
2016 the board lowered their expected annual rate of return on investments from 7.5% to 7.0%,
increasing the costs California cities must pay toward their workers' pensions.
History
Retirement payments to California State Employees began in 1932 and was called the "State
Employees' Retirement System" or (SERS). In 1939, the state Legislature passed a bill that
allowed local public agencies (such as cities, counties, and school districts) to participate in SERS.
In 1967, SERS name was changed to the "Public Employees' Retirement System".
Governance
The legal authority for the activities of PERS is in the constitution, laws, and regulations of the
State of California, including:
•California Constitution, Article XVI, Section 17, under which (as amended by Proposition
162) the retirement board of a public pension or retirement system shall have plenary
authority and fiduciary responsibility for investment of moneys and administration of the
system;
•California Government Code, Title 2, Division 5, Parts 3-8 (i.e., Sections 20000-22970.89).
Among other parts, Part 3 covers the administration of the retirement system including
membership, contributions, and benefits; and Part 5 covers the Public Employees'
Medical and Hospital Care Act on health benefits; and
•California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Division 1, Chapter 2, Sections 550-559.554.
Board of Administration
A 13-member Board of Administration, whose members are elected, appointed, or ex officio,
oversees PERS:
•Six are elected from PERS members (two by all PERS members, one by active State
members, one by active PERS school members, one by active PERS public agency
members, and one by retired members of PERS);
•Three are appointed (two by the Governor, one by specified leaders of the Legislature);
and
•Four are ex officio (California State Treasurer, California State Controller, Director of the
California Department of Human Resources, and designee of the California State
Personnel Board).
ATTACHMENT 1
Investments and Fund Management
After the financial crisis of 2008, many cities in California came under financial stress due to a
combination of factors, which led to three high-profile municipal bankruptcy filings by Vallejo,
Stockton and San Bernardino that received nationwide attention. During the proceedings, some
creditors accused PERS's increased post-crisis employer payments and future unfunded liabilities
as a cause of insolvency and sought to have PERS employer contributions reduced. PERS
vigorously opposed this.
With the inception of the pension reform laws (PEPRA), the PERS Board of Administration heard
employer’s concerns about the pressures of increased pension costs. Therefore, a thorough
review of any additional risks in the market that may affect the overall investments to reduce
vulnerability during an economic turndown. The new asset allocation was redistributed as
follows:
• 50% in Global Equity
• 28% Fixed Income
• 13% Real Assets
• 8% Private Equity
• 1% Liquidity
Disability Retirement and Industrial Disability Retirement
PERS offers two types of retirement benefits if a worker is disabled. For an "industrial disability
retirement," the "disability is due to a job-related injury or illness"; in contrast, "disability
retirement" implies that the disability was not necessarily caused by employment. The specific
benefits vary by employer, by the contract between PERS and the employer, and by the
employee's occupation.
Death Benefits
If a PERS member dies before retirement, PERS may provide death benefits (Pre or Post
Retirement Survivor Allowance) to certain beneficiaries. The benefits can include one-time
payments and/or monthly payments, but "depend on the member's age, years of service, job
classification, employer's contract with PERS, eligible beneficiary, date of separation from
employment, and whether or not they were eligible to retire at the time of death".
Health Benefits
Under the "Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act" (PEMHCA), PERS provides more
than $7.51 billion in health benefits "for nearly 1.4 million active and retired state, local
government, and school employees and their family members." Therefore, it is the nation’s
second largest public purchaser of health benefits, behind the Federal Employee Health Benefits
Plan, which covers about 8 million federal employees, retirees, and their dependents. Of the
enrollees, 61% are state employees and 39% are local government and school employees; 74%
are working and 26% are retired.
Long-Term Care Benefit Option
California's "Public Employees' Long-Term Care Act," as passed in 1990 and amended in 1996, led
to PERS' administering a Long-Term Care Program for "California public employees and retirees,
as well as their spouses, parents, parents-in-law, adult children and adult siblings between the
ages of 18 and 79." Described as the largest self-funded program of its kind, the program provides
nursing home care, residential assisted living, home health care, homemaker services and adult
day care. The program is funded by participant premiums and by proceeds from investments in
the PERS Long-Term Care Fund.
2017 2016 2015 1
Measurement Date Fiscal Year 2016 2015 2014
Proportion of the net pension liability/(asset)0.08829%0.09176%0.08559%
Proportionate share of the net pension liability/(asset)7,639,639$ 6,298,052$ 5,325,565$
Covered payroll (measurement year)5,287,151$ 4,792,270$ 4,316,567$
Proportionate share of the net pension liability/(asset) as percentage of covered payroll 144.49%131.42%123.38%
Plan fiduciary net position as a percentage of the total pension liability 74.06%78.40%78.21%
See notes to required supplementary information
June 30, 2017
1 Fiscal year 2015 was the first year of implementation, therefore, only three years are shown. Represents most recent data available.
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Schedule of Proportionate Share of Net Pension Liability
Last Ten Fiscal Years1
Fiscal Year
80
ATTACHMENT 2
2017 2016 2015 1
Contractually required contribution (actuarially determined)1,211,922$ 1,101,641$ 1,044,018$
Contributions in relation to the actuarially determined contributions (1,238,891) (1,132,393) (1,125,317)
Contribution deficiency (excess)(26,969)$ (30,752)$ (81,299)$
Covered payroll 5,536,781$ 5,287,151$ 4,792,270$
Contributions as a percentage of covered payroll 22.38%21.42%23.48%
Valuation date 6/30/14 6/30/13 6/30/12
Actuarial cost method Entry age normal cost method
Amortizations method Level of percentage of payroll
Remaining amortization period 19 years as of valuation date
Asset valuation method 15 year smoothed market
Inflation 2.75%
Projected salary increases 3.30% to 14.20% depending on age, service, and type of employment
Discount rate 7.50% (net of administrative expenses)
Retirement age 55 years
Mortality RP-2000 Healthy Annuitant Mortality Table
See notes to required supplementary information
1 Fiscal year 2015 was the first year of implementation, therefore, only three years are shown. Represents most recent data available.
Fiscal Year
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Schedule of Pension Contributions
Last Ten Fiscal Years1
June 30, 2017
81
72
2017 1
Measurement date fiscal year 2016
Total OPEB liability
Service cost 437,000$
Interest 338,000
Benefit payments (155,000)
Net change in total OPEB liability 620,000
Beginning total OPEB liability 5,291,000
Ending total OPEB liability 5,911,000$
Plan fiduciary net position
Employer contributions 634,000$
Net invesment income 86,000
Benefit payments (155,000)
Administrative expense (2,000)
Net change in plan fiduciary net position 563,000
Beginning fiduciary net position 4,672,000
Ending fiduciary net position 5,235,000$
Ending net OPEB liability 676,000$
Plan fiduciary net position as a percentage of the total OPEB liability 88.56%
Covered payroll (measurement year)5,287,151$
Net OPEB liability as a percentage of covered-employee payroll 12.79%
See notes to required supplementary information
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Schedule of Changes in the Net OPEB Liability and Related Ratios
Last Ten Fiscal Years1
June 30, 2017
Fiscal Year
1 Fiscal year 2017 was the first year of implementation, therefore, only one year is shown. Represents most recent data available.
82
Fiscal Year
2017 1
Actuarially determined contribution 494,000$
666,000
Contribution deficiency (excess)(172,000)$
Covered payroll 5,536,781$
Contributions as a percentage of covered-employee payroll 12.03%
Valuation date:
Actuarial cost method
Amortization method
Amortization period
Asset valuation method
Inflation
Healthcare cost trend rates
Salary increases
Investment rate of return
Retirement age
Mortality
See notes to required supplementary information
Contributions in relation to the actuarially determined contribution
1 Fiscal year 2017 was the first year of implementation, therefore, only one year is shown. Represents most recent data available.
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Schedule of OPEB Contributions
Last Ten Fiscal Years1
June 30, 2017
Actuarially determined contribution rates are calculated as of June 30, two years prior to the end of the fiscal year in which contributions are reported.
Entry age normal - level percentage of payroll
Level percentage of payroll
Eight years
Mortality projected fully generational with Scale MP-14
Classic employees: 50 - 55
Public Employees' Pension Reform Act: 52 - 62
Methods and assumptions used to determine contribution rates:
Investment gains and losses spread over five-year rolling period
3.00%
Non-Medicare: 7.0% for 2017, decreasing to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in 2021 and later years
Medicare: 7.2% for 2017, decreasing to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in 2021 and later years
3.00% aggregate
6.75%
83
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Notes to Required Supplementary Information
June 30, 2017
Pension Plan
Schedule of Proportionate Share of Net Pension Liability – The schedule provides the proportion
(percentage) of the collective net pension liability, proportionate share (amount) of the collective net
pension liability, the Commission’s covered-employee payroll, proportionate share (amount) of the
collective net pension liability as a percentage of Commission’s covered-employee payroll, and the
pension plan’s fiduciary net position as a percentage of the total pension liability.
Schedule of Pension Contributions – The schedule provides the Commission’s actuarially determined
contributions to the pension plan, the Commission’s actual contributions, the difference between the
actual and actuarially determined contributions, and a ratio of the actual contributions divided by
covered-employee payroll.
Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions
Schedule of Changes in the Net OPEB Liability and Related Ratios – The schedule provides the schedule
of changes in the net OPEB liability, the plan fiduciary net position as a percentage of the total OPEB
liability, the Commission’s covered-employee payroll, and the net OPEB liability as a percentage of
covered-employee payroll.
Schedule of OPEB Contributions – The schedule provides the Commission’s actuarially determined
contributions to the OPEB plan, the Commission’s actual contributions, the difference between the
actual and actuarially determined contributions, and a ratio of the actual contributions divided by
covered-employee payroll.
PEMHCA100/90 State Annuitant Contribution RatesR6/20/20172009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Single478 00$493 00$542 00$566 00$622 00$642 00$655 00$705 00$707 00$725 00$RatesSingle478.00$ 493.00$ 542.00$ 566.00$ 622.00$ 642.00$ 655.00$ 705.00$ 707.00$ 725.00$ Two Party909.00936.001,030.001,074.00 1,183.00 1,218.00 1,246.00 1,343.00 1,349.00 1,377.00Family1,167.001,202.00 1,326.00 1,382.00 1,515.00 1,559.00 1,605.00 1,727.00 1,727.00 1,766.002010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Percent Change3.1% 9.9% 4.4% 9.9% 3.2% 2.0% 7.6% 0.3% 2.5%3.0% 10.0% 4.3% 10.1% 3.0% 2.3% 7.8% 0.4% 2.1%3.0% 10.3% 4.2% 9.6% 2.9% 3.0% 7.6% 0.0% 2.3%6/20/2017ATTACHMENT 3
CalPERS Contract and
Benefits Summary
Beth Gutierrez, HR Administrator
Theresia Trevino, Chief Financial Officer
1
CalPERS is a “Defined Benefit Pension Plan”
What is a Defined Benefit Pension Plan?
It’s called 'defined' because the benefit formula is defined and
known in advance
The employer promises a specified payment, lump-sum (or
combination thereof) at time of retirement rather than individual
investment returns.
Pension amount is predetermined by a formula based on:
Employee earning history
Tenure of service
Age
2
RCTC Retirement Contract with CalPERS
3
Classic PEPRA/New
Retirement Formula 2.7% @ 55 2% @ 62
Employee Contribution 8%7.25%
FY 2017/18 Employer
Contribution 14.053%7.262%
•Began September 3, 1977
•Two Tier Membership
Health Benefits
•Began March 1, 1978
•HMO/PPO Plan Options
4
Employees Non-Vested
Retirees
Vested
Retirees
Current Employer
Monthly Contribution $600 $600
PERL
Schedule
Proposed Employer
Monthly Contribution
(pending Commission
approval on 6/13/18)$750 $750
PERL
Schedule
Health Benefits –Vested Retirees
PERL Vesting Schedule
•Based on retiree’s years of service
o Must have at least 10 years in PERS
o At least five (5) years with RCTC
o Retirement must be from RCTC and within 120 days of separation
5
Financial Disclosures
6
FY 2016/17 PERS OPEB Plan Trust
Employer Contributions $1.2 million $0.7 million
Employee Contributions $0.4 million $0
Net Liability $7.6 million $0.7 million
% of Total
Liability Funded 74%89%
The ‘California Rule’
•Created in 1955
•A California Supreme Court constitutional doctrine
o Protects public employee pensions and amounts already accrued
o Gives right to earn pension benefits on terms no worse than those in
effect at hire date
o Employee obtains vested contractual rights
•Pending court challenges
o Employee’s vested right to a ‘reasonable pension’ rather than pension
at hire date
7
PERS Impact on RCTC Budget
8
Amount
% of FY 2018/19
Budget
% of Personnel
Costs
Total Personnel Costs $10,354,700 1.17%100%
Benefit Costs included in Personnel Costs:
Retirement $1,553,500 0.20%15.00%
Health $635,000 0.07%6.13%
OPEB $549,000 0.06%5.30%
9
Future Considerations
•AB 1912
o June Commission Meeting
action
•Proposed Legislation
o SB 1031
o SB 1032
o SB 1033
•Measure A Expiration
•Amortization Schedule Options
10
Any Questions for Us?