Retired Public Employees Council of WA Working to protect and enhance the pension and health care benefits of Washington retired state, county and local government employees
RPEC Weekly Newsflash, May 12, 2023
Governor Inslee Signs Plan 1 COLA Bill
On the afternoon of Tuesday, May 9, Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5350, providing a one-time 3% cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) to PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees not to exceed $110 per month. The bill also directs the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP) to study and recommend an ongoing COLA proposal to the State Legislature. PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees will see their monthly pension amounts increase by 3% or $110 (whichever is less) at the end of July 2023.
2023 Leadership Training for All Chapter Leaders
With most chapter elections wrapping up, it is time for new leaders, re-elected leaders, and those who may be considering taking a leadership position in the future to come together and participate in our annual Leadership Training. We will be providing the tools, information, and resources for you to be a successful and supported chapter leader.
The training will be held in two parts: Part A on Monday, June 26 for all chapter leaders, and Part B on Friday, June 30 for all chapter leaders involved with chapter finances. Part A will be hosted and led by the Council Office. Part B will be hosted and led by the Auditing Department at AFSCME.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://rpecwa.org/2023-leadership-training/. Registration closes Monday, June 5th.
Monthly Leadership Calls are Full of Information!
The RPEC Monthly Leadership Calls are opportunities for members and leaders alike to participate in engaging discussions regarding topics such as leadership development, skill building, member engagement, and recruitment. After skipping the April Monthly Leadership Call in lieu of the Strategic Planning Listening Session, the Monthly Leadership Calls are returning starting May 19th.
For the May Monthly Leadership Call, we will dive into topics regarding how to effectively garner new member participation, identify and cultivate future chapter leaders, utilize council resources to aid in recruitment and retention, and follow a retention schedule to encourage new members to be fully engaged in council and chapter activities.
Join us on May 19th at 1:00 PM on Zoom for an exciting discussion that aims to equip members and leaders with the tools and knowledge to effectively retain and engage new members recruited from the mass influx of the blind mailings.
Computer/Tablet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85437458246?pwd=ZFpERk94WmRPMTlFTjkyd2xmdlpPZz09
Meeting ID: 854 3745 8246
Passcode: 035244
Phone:
253 215 8782 US
Meeting ID: 854 3745 8246
Passcode: 035244
If you have any ideas of topics for future Monthly Leadership Calls, contact RPEC Membership Coordinator Jakob Canup at jakob.canup@rpecwa.org or (360) 352-8262 ext. 106.
Health Care Authority’s (HCA) Virtual and In-person Listening Sessions and virtual public forums wrap up this month
All RPEC leaders and members who receive their healthcare benefits from the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) are asked to register to take part in virtual and in-person listening sessions hosted by HCA. All stakeholder engagements will conclude this month. There is still space available in all sessions. Register here.
Retirees and their spouses or partners who are covered under UMP Classic, Kaiser Permanente NW Senior Advantage, Kaiser Permanente WA Medicare plans, Premera Blue Cross Medicare Supplement Plan G, UnitedHealthcare PEBB Balance, or United Healthcare PEBB Complete are eligible to participate. The listening sessions and public forums are your opportunities to share insights with HCA staff about your healthcare plan and the quality of services you receive from HCA. All virtual and in-person listening sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. HCA will follow up with registrants via email and provide the questions, background information, and Zoom login information (for the virtual sessions) and/or the location/directions (for in-person sessions).
Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Meetings
To learn more about the state’s healthcare plans, consider attending the June and July meetings of the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month. Visit https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/public-employees-benefits-board-pebb-program/meetings-and-materials for more information.
Upcoming meetings are as follows:
- June 8, 2023
- June 29, 2023
- July 12, 2023 9 a.m. to noon
- July 19, 2023 9 a.m. to noon
- July 26, 2023 9 a.m. to noon
Upcoming Events:
Please refer to our calendar page for more information about each event, including links to Zoom meetings, if available.
- May 15 – Senior Lobby (10:00 am)
- May 16 – Select Committee on Pension Policy Meeting (10:00 am)
- May 17 – WSARA Town Hall with Dr. Kijakazi, Acting Social Security Commissioner
- May 19 – Monthly Leadership Call (1:00 pm)
- May 23 – Executive Board Meeting (10:00 am)
- May 25 – Healthcare Workgroup Meeting (3:30 pm)
- May 29 – Council Office closed, Memorial Day
- June 2 – Monthly Legislative Update Call (2:00 pm)
- June 8 – Healthcare Workgroup Meeting (3:30 PM)
- June 9 – Political Action Committee Meeting (10:00 am)
- June 9 – Monthly Leadership Call (1:00 pm)
Health Care Authority Listening Sessions & Public Forums
- May 16 – HCA In-person Listening Session, Bothell (10:00 am)
- May 17 – HCA Virtual Public Forum (10:00 am)
- May 18 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 24 – HCA Virtual Public Forum (10:00 am)
- May 25 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 30 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 31 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
