Public Sector Benefits News Articles - Releases and Announcements

Social Security Releases 2015 COLA and Benefit Amounts 10/22/2014

Social Security benefits increase 1.7%, and the taxable Wage Base for 2015 is $118,500.

IRS Announces 2015 Limits 10/24/14

IRS Annual Compensation Limit increases to $265,000 for 2015.

2015 PEPRA Compensation Limits are $117,020 and $140,424

The 2015 PEPRA Compensation limits are $117,020 and $140,424, based on a nonbinding calculation by the California Actuarial Advisory Panel (CAAP).

Recent Presentations by Bartel Associates

Topics include CalPERS changes and GASB 68, 73, 74, and 75

John Bartel to speak at 2014 CALPELRA Conference

John Bartel will speak at sessions on CalPERS pension contributions.

Bartel Associates To Present at GASB Hearing

Bartel Associates invited to present comments at Government Accounting Standards Board public hearing

PEMHCA Retiree Health Rules

Rules for providing health care to retirees through PEMHCA. It includes the Equal and Unequal Methods, the Vesting schedule (State or 90/100 Vesting), and use of a Cafeteria Plan

GASB OPEB Exposure Draft Comments

Bartel Associates submitted a comment letter to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board on their Exposure Drafts of new Statements on accounting for OPEB benefits.

PEPRA Summary for '37 Act Counties

Provisions, Issues, and comparison of benefits

PEMHCA Administration Fee Rate for 2014/15 Published by CalPERS - 6/26/14

The CalPERS Board of Administration set the PEMHCA administration fee, as a percentage of total premiums, to 0.34%

100/90 Annuitant Contribution Rates for 2015 Approved by CalPERS - 6/18/14

At its June 2014 meeting, the CalPERS Board approved the 2015 PEMHCA 100/90 State Annuitant Rates

2015 and Historical CalPERS Medical Premiums

CalPERS Pension and Health Benefits Committee approved proposed 2015 healthcare premiums

GASB Approves New OPEB and Pension Accounting Exposure Drafts

New accounting standards requiring recognition of unfunded OPEB and pension liabilities released as Exposure Drafts.

New Actuarial Standards Will Increase OPEB Liabilities for PEMHCA Benefits

GASB 45 Liabilities for retiree medical benefits from large community-rated plans like CalPERS to increase 3/31/2015 per new actuarial standards.

GASB Announces Drafts of New OPEB Accounting Standards

New accounting standards requiring recognition of unfunded OPEB liabilities will be released as Exposure Drafts in June 2014.

Bartel Associates to speak at WR IPMA-HR Conference in San Francisco

A session on "Pension and Health Care - Building a New Bridge to Retirement" will be presented by John Bartel, Mary Beth Redding and Deanna Van Valer on Thursday May 1st at the Western Region IPMA-HR conference in San Francisco.