Chair Talk
August 2013
CSC Vision Benefit Plan
In early July, the JEC recommends that Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan be awarded the contract for the CSC Vision Benefit Plan in the amount of $22,000,000.00. There were 6 other bidders: Davis Vision, Inc., EyeMed Vision Care, LLC, Humana Insurance
Company, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Mutual Eye Claim Audits, Inc. and National Vision Administrators, LLC.
Pension Tax Lawsuit Filed
A Pension Tax Lawsuit was filed against the State of Michigan in the Ingham County Court of Claims on July 9, 2013. The Lawsuit was filed by Gary Supanich an appeals attorney in Ann Arbor, MI. Mary Pollock and I met with Mr. Supanich on Thursday, August 1st to discuss the lawsuit and offer our assistance in whatever way possible. Mr. Supanich is seeking other State/School retirees to add as plaintiffs. Since Mary’s News of the Day e-mail we have received numerous phone/e-mail inquiries about the lawsuit. A Press Conference was held on Tuesday, August 6th on the Capitol steps in Lansing. Along with Mary and myself, Attorney Supanich and Tom Okrie (MPSERS retiree and Plaintiff) there were several SERA Lansing Chapter members.
This Lawsuit is different than the Advisory Opinion that was issued in 2011. This suit is based on the non-constitutional ground of Breach of Contract. Mr. Supanich believes that this case does not deal with constitutional issues but is about the Breach of Contract violations.
I will be asking the SERA CC to provide some monetary support towards the costs of the lawsuit.
Information about this lawsuit can be found at: www.michigan-appeal-attorney.com.
We are also seeking copies of the Retirement Guidelines through the past 30-40 years as evidence of the implied contracts. If you still have copies of the guidelines please contact me at 810-240-8380 or bobkopaszserachair@gmail.com.
Editor’s note: Bob Kopasz is Chair of the Michigan SERA Council. He may be reached at P.O. Box 692, Mt. Morris, MI 48458; phone 810/240-8380.