The University of California President’s Task Force on Post-Employment Benefits is holding forums on October 22 and 23 to give faculty, staff and retirees the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the immediate and long-term effects of fiscal pressures on the University’s pension and retiree health programs. The forums include a presentation on the issues, followed by time for participants to ask questions.
Local forums scheduled are:
| Thursday, October 22 |
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Noon to 1:30pm at Toland Hall Auditorium, 533 Parnassus Avenue – All Faculty. |
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3:00pm to 4:30pm – Laurel Heights Auditorium, 3333 California Street – Retired Faculty and Staff. |
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| Friday, October 23 |
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Noon to 1:30pm – Toland Hall Auditorium, 533 Parnassus Avenue – All Staff. |
If you are unable to attend the forum designated for your category, you are free to attend one of the others. Please note that the focus will be directed toward that group and we will be unable to concentrate on your questions.
The Task Force has been charged with developing options for balancing the long-term costs of these benefits with the need to provide competitive total compensation to faculty and staff. The Task Force will study the issues, weigh input from the UC community, and then make recommendations to UC President Mark Yudof on ways to change the funding and policies for post-employment benefits.
Executive Director Randy Scott and Director Gary Schlimgen from the Office of the President Human Resources department will make the presentation and be joined by a panel comprised of several representatives from the Task Force who will answer questions and listen to your input.
By the numbers UC spends roughly $1.5 billion annually in pension benefits, and the retirement plan accrues an additional $1.3 billion in pension liability each year for its current employees. The funded status of the UC Retirement Plan is expected to decline from 95 percent to 61 percent by 2013, even with the restart of contributions in April, 2010.
In 2010, the University will pay approximately $250 million for retiree health benefits. That expense, which is paid for from operating revenue, is projected to increase by about $37 million per year. By 2013, UC will be spending $373 million annually and by 2018, the figure will have climbed to an estimated $610 million.
The University’s long-term liability for retiree health benefits for current and future retirees is also projected to increase, from $13 billion today to nearly $26 billion by 2018. In other words, the liability is increasing at a rate of more than $1.5 billion per year. Governmental accounting regulations now require UC and other employers to include this liability in their financial statements. Such a significant liability could affect UC's credit rating when borrowing money for campus buildings, hospitals and other projects.
To learn more about the mission and charge of the Task Force, visit the
Future of UC Retirement Benefits website.
