PERAC Memo #16 - 2000: National Conference of Public Employees Retirement Systems (NCPERS)

National Conference of Public Employees Retirement Systems (NCPERS)

Summary

This memo clarifies PERAC's guidance on board member and staff attendance at the 2000 NCPERS annual conference, addressing confusion about the appropriate use of retirement funds for related travel expenses. While boards retain discretion to approve conference attendance and expenditures in advance, they must ensure that any personal or extended travel (e.g., through MACRS travel offers) is not paid for with retirement system funds—such costs must be segregated and borne directly by the individual. Boards should communicate this expectation to attending members and staff before approving conference-related expenses.

Full Text

PERAC MEMO #16/2000 M E M O R A N D U M TO: All Retirement Boards FROM: Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director RE: National Conference of Public Employees Retirement Systems (NCPERS) DATE: February 28, 2000 As many of you know the annual conference run by the National Conference of Public Employees Retirement Systems is scheduled to be held April 30th through May 5th of 2000. It has come to the attention of the Commission that some confusion exists relative to both the attendance and the appropriateness of any expenditure of retirement funds by fiduciaries and staff relative to this conference. The Commission encourages attendance by board members and staff at educational seminars and events which have an impact on their day to day responsibilities. As you know, all decisions relative to expenditures and attendance at such conferences remains the discretion of the board once the board has in fact made such a determination prior to the conference. The Board and staff should be reminded however, that it would be an inappropriate expense to engage in additional travel either prior to, or after the actual conference, ostensibly extending the trip due to the conference. Consequently, any board member or staff member wishing to participate in the travel offer by the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems (MACRS), or any other such plan may do so, by making arrangements to segregate all additional costs from the actual conference. These costs would obviously be paid for directly by the individual. We hope that the foregoing is of assistance to you and should you have any questions, please feel to contact James Waldman at 617-666-4446 at extension 925.