NON-CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN
March 28, 2012
I NVE STME NT RE PORT
Volume 50
COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT’S INVESTMENT
PRESENTATION AS OF DEC. 31, 2011:
Jim Wilkinson of Columbia Management began his quarterly presentation by
reminding us that 2011 ended with a trend-like growth in the second half.
Wilkinson also stated that many global problems have shaped the markets in
2011, the Euro debt crisis led by PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and
Spain), the constant unrest in the Middle East and Africa, and the shocking news
of earthquake/tsunami in Japan that provoked a Chernobyl flashback has caused
many supply chains to become challenged globally.
Locally, the United States has made little to no progress in its budget deficits,
thus resulting in the U.S. government receiving a credit rating below AAA,
interest rates continue to remain low and are expected to remain so until 2014,
the unemployment rate is trending downward to 8.3 percent in January but we
are still at levels never experienced before, and although the economy grew 2.5
percent in 2011 the recovery is still very slow. The feds unveiled new policy
measures which included $400 billion in sales of short-dated treasuries to
purchase the equivalent in long-dated treasuries.
The plan has increased from $55,747,339 to $59,213,450 in the fourth
quarter of 2011. The fund’s portfolio continues to have a 60/40 mix with 42
percent of the funds invested in fixed income and the rest in equities. This plan
is designed as a long-term investment vehicle and the diversification in the
portfolio has worked extremely well for this plan in the past. As of Jan. 31, 2012,
the plan’s value is around $61M which is an increase of another 3.7 percent. For
the quarter the plan was up 7.79 percent (benchmark is 7.21 percent) and 2.13
percent (benchmark 2.86 percent) year-to-date.
NCERP COMMITTEE’S EXECUTIVE SESSION
RESULTS – JAN. 24, 2012
An overwhelming interest in raising the contributions rates for NCERP
participants and STLCC was the topic of discussion during the executive
session. The executive session took place Jan. 24 at the Cosand Center, and
concluded with a unanimous decision to review the aspect of increasing the
contribution rates annually in a special October meeting that will be held prior
to the presentation of the annual actuarial report at the November meeting. Both
of the plan’s actuaries; Don Schisler and Julia Hupperts were in attendance of the
previously scheduled event. The decision was reached after a thorough discussion
of the following issues:
A. Comparisons between NCERP and four other state pension retirement
funding levels, their contributions rates and the retirement benefits of
each. The comparison included the following: NCERP, SURS (IL), PEERS
(MO), KPERS (KS) and PERF (IN).
B. Increase in health care benefits of the classified and professional staff
C. The length of time that it would take to increase retirement benefits and
the implementation of increased contribution rates.
D. NCERP’s funding levels were identified as the best funded pension plan
among all those compared to both in current and future funding levels.
There will certainly be more to come on discussing this important issue,
as the committee plans a thorough discussion in October of each year prior to
presentation of the NCERP annual actuarial report.
NCERP COMMITTEE APPROVES REQUEST FOR
LAPTOP PURCHASE:
The Plan Coordinator has suggested the purchase of an NCERP laptop to
enhance his monthly campus visits. This would enable the Plan Coordinator to
provide access to foundation of the Brio-Portal which will enable access to the
benefit calculator. An estimate of benefits and requested changes can be
conducted immediately with the help of a laptop. The committee unilaterally
agreed to purchase the laptop and felt it was a great idea to enhance the Plan
Coordinator’s campus visits.
ACTUARIAL REPORT:
There weren’t any significant actuarial reporting provided to the NCERP
Committee during this quarter.
THE QUARTERLY UPDATES
Previous quarter ending December 31, 2011, there were three (3) new
participants were added to the plan and five (5) employees were separated from
the college. Those that separated have received their returned contributions and
interest; the combined amount totaled $24,401.25.
During the same time there were six (6) who retired of which (1) one opted
for the 50 per cent annuity/50 percent lump sum option, and the total amount of
those who selected the lump sum benefit totaled $820,716.19. It is with regret to
announce that Rosie L. Lindsay, one of the plan’s retiree receiving annuity pension
for life, passed away. She worked at the Forest Park campus.
NCERP’S ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
The fiscal year budget report as of December 31, 2011, includes the following:
• Total budget for FY 2011: $398,431.00
• Total invoices paid at the end of quarter was; $171,774.67
• Balance of budget as of December 31, 2011, after all bills paid: $226,656.33
RETIREMENT INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
If employees would like an estimate of their retirement benefits, attend any of
the campus visits made by James Hayden, plan coordinator, ext. 5217. Please call
at least one week before the scheduled visit to ensure the retirement assessment
is complete. Every participant is encouraged to contact Hayden at any time to
obtain a retirement benefit assessment.
NCERP COORDINATOR’S PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF
CAMPUS VISITS
Date:
April 5, 2012
April 12, 2012
April 19, 2012
Location:
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
Time:
12 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
May
May
May
May
3, 2012
10, 2012
17, 2012
24, 2012
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
Cosand Center
12 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
June 7, 2012
June 14, 2012
June 21, 2012
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
12 p.m
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
July
July
July
July
5, 2012
12, 2012
19, 2012
26, 2012
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
Cosand Center
12 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
August 2, 2012
August 9, 2012
August 16, 2012
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
12 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
Sep. 6, 2011
Sep. 13, 2011
Sep. 20, 2012
Sep. 27, 2012
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
Cosand Center
12 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
Oct. 4, 2012
Oct. 11, 2012
Oct 18, 2012
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
12 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
Nov
Nov
Nov
Nov
1, 2012
8, 2012
15, 2012
22, 2012
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
Cosand Center
12 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
Dec 6, 2012
Dec 13, 2012
Dec 20, 2012
Forest Park
Florissant Valley
Meramec
12 p.m
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
UNOFFICIAL
Frank Ruzicka of Cornerstone Mortgage, Inc., from his monthly newsletter shares
his “5 Mistakes that HurtYour Credit Score” he lists his points of view below:
Mistake # 1: Closing the wrong credit card accounts. Hold on to
your cards that you’ve had the longest.
Mistake # 2: Carrying high balances on your credit. High balances
signal that your debt ratio is too high.
Mistake # 3: Making late payments. Thirty – day late payments can
drop our score by a whopping 60 to 100 points.
Mistake # 4: Opening store accounts to save on store purchases.
Doing so means a hard inquiry which can shave 5 or
more points off your credit score.
Locations are:
Meramec, BA-106; Florissant Valley, Training Center, TC-109; Forest Park,
VP Academic Affairs’ Conference Room; Cosand Center, Room 208.
S
M
T
W
T
NCERP COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
F
S
Mistake # 5: Not enough credit. Insufficient credit signals an
unimpressive track record and implies that you might
not be able to handle more credit.
The quarterly NCERP Committee meetings now are being rotated from
various campus locations. The tentative date, place and time are as follows:
May 9, 2012, Forest Park, SC 25, 9:15 a.m.
August 8, 2012 Meramec, 9:15 a.m.
November 14, 2012, Forest Park, 9:15 a.m.
February 13, 2013, Cosand Center, 9:15 a.m.
BENEFICIARY ACCURACY
Make sure beneficiary information on file for NCERP retirement contributions is
accurate. Failure to do so could result in retirement contributions being paid to the
employee’s estate versus having the contributions going to loved ones. If there are
questions or concerns, contact James Hayden, plan coordinator, at ext. 5217.
This newsletter is designed to summarize and explain basic changes in the Non-Certificated
Employees Retirement Plan and provides updates on other related matters. Since it is only a
summary, this newsletter does not cover the plan's provisions in detail.Therefore, if there is any
conflict between this newsletter and the plan document itself, the plan document will always
govern. An official copy of the plan is available for inspection in the Human Resources department
at the Joseph P. Cosand Community College Center, 300 South Broadway, St. Louis, Mo. and in
each campus’ library during regular business hours.
IMPORTANT POINTS OF CONTACT:
Any suggestions for improvements, questions, comments or other concerns
about the retirement plan may be directed to any of the NCERP Committee
representatives. Any proposed agenda items may be sent to James Hayden or
the employee representative 10 days prior to the meeting date.
Board of Trustees Appointment
Calla White
6688 Chesapeake Drive
Apartment C
Florissant, MO 63033
Phone: 314-355-9112
Term expires: BOT’s pleasure
Board of Trustees Appointment
Ruth Lewis
10455 Litzsinger Road
St. Louis, MO 63131
Telephone: 314-567-7098
Term Expires: BOT’s pleasure
Unit Representative
Kevin White
FP - Media Services
Phone: 314-644-9213
E-mail: kwhite@stlcc.edu
Term expires: June 30, 2013
Physical Plant
Mike Wibbenmeyer - Vice Chair
MC – Utilities/HVAC
Phone: 314-984-7749
E-mail: mwibbenmeyer@stlcc.edu
Term expires: Oct. 30, 2013
Non-Unit Representative
Vicki Lucido - Chair
FV - VP Academic Affairs office
Telephone: 314-513-4214
e-mail: vlucido@stlcc.edu
Term expires: June 30, 2014
Individuals with speech or hearing impairments
may call via Relay Missouri by dialing 711.
Any suggestions for improvements,
questions, comments or other concerns
about the retirement plan may be directed
to any of the NCERP Committee
representatives.
Any proposed agenda items may be sent
to James Hayden or the employee
representative 10 days prior to the meeting
date.
ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
St. Louis Community College makes every reasonable effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
If you have accommodation needs, please contact the Access office at the campus where you are
registering at least six weeks before the beginning of the class. Event or other public service
accommodation requests should be made with the event coordinator or applicable location nondiscrimination officer at least two working days prior to the event or public service. Documentation may
be required.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
St. Louis Community College is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunities in its
admissions, educational programs, activities and employment regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information or status as a disabled or
Vietnam-era veteran and shall take action necessary to ensure non-discrimination.
In furtherance of the college’s commitment, grievance procedures for the prompt and equitable
resolution of complaints are set forth in the college’s designated Administrative Procedures.
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