MI-SERA

Chair Talk

March 2024

By Bob Kopasz

SERA has been busy the past 5 or 6 months on 2 issues that affect all retirees. Those issues are:

Regaining SERA’s ability to receive contact information of new retirees.
About 3 years ago we were no longer receiving lists of new retirees from ORS. Apparently, the AG’s office determined that that information should be private and should no longer be shared with SERA. Without the lists of new retirees, it has severely curtailed our ability to recruit new members.

Currently we are working with Senator John Cherry to introduce legislation that we could get the legal right to obtain this contact information again. We had been receiving this information since the mid 70’s.

Removing the $300 cap on State Retiree Pensions (COLA). Mary has been working with Senator Sarah Anthony and her staff to get legislation introduced to eliminate the $300 cap on our pensions. A Lansing Chapter member (R. Cole Bouck) has started a grassroots letter campaign to bring this problem to the attention of State Legislators in Michigan. Mr. Bouck has been doing a terrific job in the letter writing campaign. The next step we are seeking is to get an actuarial study to determine a cost to eliminate the $300 cap. Retirees have not had an increase in their pensions since 1987.

I have invited Anthony Estell, Director of the Office of Retirement Services to present a program at our May 3, 2024 Coordinating Council meeting.

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.


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March 2024 By Bob Kopasz SERA has been busy the past 5 or 6 months on 2 issues that affect all retirees. Those issues are: Regaining SERA’s ability to receive contact information of new retirees. About 3 years ago we were no longer receiving lists of new retirees from ORS. Apparently, the AG’s office determined that that information should be private and should no longer be shared with SERA. Without the lists of new retirees, it has severely curtailed our ability to recruit new members. Currently we are working with Senator John Cherry to introduce legislation that we could get the legal right to obtain this contact information again. We had been receiving this information since the mid 70’s. Removing the $300 cap on State Retiree Pensions (COLA). Mary has been working with Senator Sarah Anthony and her staff to get legislation introduced to eliminate the $300 cap on our pensions. A Lansing Chapter member (R. Cole Bouck) has started a grassroots letter campaign to bring this problem to the attention of State Legislators in Michigan. Mr. Bouck has been doing a terrific job in the letter writing campaign. The next step we are seeking is to get an actuarial study to determine a cost to eliminate the $300 cap. Retirees have not had an increase in their pensions since 1987. I have invited Anthony Estell, Director of the Office of Retirement Services to present a program at our May 3, 2024 Coordinating Council meeting. 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.
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