Date: | 09/29/2020 |
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Referenced Sources: | PERAC Website |
PERAC Memo #29, 2020
Date: | 09/29/2020 |
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Referenced Sources: | PERAC Website |
PERAC Memo #29, 2020
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
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M E M O R A N D U M
TO: All Retirement Boards
FROM: John W. Parsons, Esq., Executive Director
RE: Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training – 4th Quarter 2020
DATE: September 29, 2020
Chapter 32 mandates retirement board members to complete training during each year of service on the retirement board. This requirement has two elements: 18 credits over the course of the member’s term and at least 3 credits in each year of the term. Failure to meet either of these statutory standards will prohibit the member from serving beyond the conclusion of the term for which the training requirement was not met. We urge board members to utilize the full array of training choices in order to remain eligible to serve. All classes, webinars, seminars, and conferences listed will earn three credits each, unless otherwise noted.
Due to ongoing social distancing guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all offerings this quarter are virtual as we continue to prioritize safety while trying to balance educational opportunities.
Ways to receive your credits:
The Commission would be remiss if we did not thank all the members of the retirement boards who, in spite of other pressing duties, and especially during such unprecedented circumstances, are making a good faith effort to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
I. Training Schedule Dates (pre-registration is required)
Date | Topic/Organization | Location / Registration Information |
October 6 | Open Meeting Law | Webinar |
6:30 p.m. | Offered by: Office of the MA Attorney General |
Register: https://tinyurl.com/MA-OML-1 |
October 6 | COVID 19 - Investment Opportunities in Fixed Income for Public Plans* | Webinar |
1:00 p.m. | Offered by: NCPERS |
Register: https://tinyurl.com/CV-19-NCPERS |
October 12-15 | 98th Annual NCTR Conference | Virtual Conference, Cost: $450-$600 |
Offered by: NCTR | Register: nctr.org | |
October 20 | Discussion of Proposed Changes to the HELPS Tax Benefit | Webinar |
1:00 p.m. | Offered by: NCPERS | Register: https://tinyurl.com/NCPERS-helps |
October 21 | Ethical Decision Making: Introduction | Webinar |
12:00 p.m. | Offered by: CFA Institute | Register: https://tinyurl.com/CFA-EDM-intro |
October 22 | Accidental Disability: Remands & Medical Panels* | Webinar |
10:00 a.m. | Offered by: PERAC | Register: PROSPER |
October 27 | Open Meeting Law | Webinar |
9:30 a.m. | Offered by: Office of the MA Attorney General |
Register: https://tinyurl.com/MA-OML-1027 |
October 29 |
Financial Statement Fraud | Webinar – Deadline to register: 10/22 Cost: $49.00 |
8:30 a.m. | Offered by: Office of the Inspector General | Register: https://tinyurl.com/MCPPO-FRAUD |
November 19 | Buybacks: Interesting Calculations* | Webinar |
10:00 a.m. | Offered by: PERAC | Register: PROSPER |
December 3 | Conflict of Interest Seminar** | Webinar |
10:00 a.m. | Offered by: State Ethics Commission | Register: https://tinyurl.com/SEC-COI |
December 10 | Recent Cases of Interest & PERAC Memos* | Webinar |
10:00 a.m. | Offered by: PERAC | Register: PROSPER |
* Indicates live event will be recorded and available to view on demand at a later date
** Board members must complete the Conflict of Interest Law training once every two years. A certificate of completion is required to receive credit for the Conflict of Interest training.
II. PERAC Produced Online Training (available on demand)
Topics |
PERAC 2020 Emerging Issues Forum |
Options on Retirement and Beneficiary Selection |
Functioning During the State of Emergency |
Chapter 32 in a Nutshell |
Cases of Interest – November 2019 |
Audit Process Revisions |
An Introduction to the Annual Statement |
III. Other Pre-Approved Online Training (available on demand)
Organization | Topic | How to find webinar: |
FINRA | Financial Crimes, Trends, and Responses in the Midst of the Pandemic | https://tinyurl.com/y6o579ab |
FINRA | Virtual Conference Panel: Diversity and Inclusion | https://tinyurl.com/y4kg3obq |
Nat’l. Conf. on Public Employee Retirement Systems | Please see PERAC’s website for a list of seven pre-approved NCPERS webinars | https://www.mass.gov/service-details/webinars Each video is three educational credits |
State Ethics Commission | Conflict of Interest Law* select either State and County or Municipal links | https://go.usa.gov/xpPxD and view appropriate webinar |
Office of the Inspector General | Inspector General Videos You must watch all three videos |
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/webinars |
Office of the Attorney General | Open Meeting Law Training You must watch all six videos |
https://go.usa.gov/xpPx5 |
National Council on Teacher Retirement | Please see PERAC’s website for a list of the 13 pre-approved NCTR webinars (3 credits each) | https://www.mass.gov/service-details/webinars Each video is three educational credits |
National Crime Prevention Council | Investment Fraud Prevention Program | https://tinyurl.com/NCPC-peracDownload and review all five pdf presentations |
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services | Cybersecurity | https://go.usa.gov/xpu4Q |
PRIM Available for credit until 12/31/2020 |
Executive Director Q1 2020 Market Commentary |
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/q1-2020-market-commentary |
Links to all of the above webinars can be found on PERAC’s Education page at https://www.mass.gov/perac-education.
* Board members must complete the Conflict of Interest Law training once every two years.
A certificate of completion is required to receive credit for the Conflict of Interest training.
IV. Other Opportunities to Obtain Educational Credit
The Commission is willing to approve educational credits for a variety of events sponsored by “…local, state, regional and national organizations recognized by the Commission as having expertise in retirement issues of importance to retirement board members or other entities…” Additionally, the Commission has approved education credit for participating in webinars. In 2020, we will again entertain requests for credit in relation to relevant webinars provided that such a request is made well in advance of the session.
Approval for credit must take place well in advance of the date of the event or webinar. This will enable the Commission to analyze the program and provide a general notice to other retirement board members to maximize participation. Once approved, you must complete the Training Affidavit in PROSPER to ensure proper credit. Board members experiencing Extenuating Circumstances in meeting educational requirements should review Memo 15 of 2019 and contact PERAC with any questions. The following list of local and national organizations provide additional educational opportunities that may be relevant for retirement board members:
Philip Y Brown, Esq., Chairman
Auditor Suzanne M. Bump
Kathleen M. Fallon
Kate Fitzpatrick
James M. Machado
Robert B. McCarthy
Jennifer F. Sullivan
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
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