Life Times, Winter 2010

Newsletter by IPERS about Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System news for retirees.

Iowa Workforce Monthly, October 2009, Issue 9

Highlights: * After learning the local food pantry was almost out of food, the staff at the Creston Workforce Center decided to team together and collect food to donate....pg. 2 * The Kossuth Area Employers’ Council (ECI) will host a training session for businesses on “Writing Employee Handbooks and Job Descriptions”....pg. 2 * Iowa Workforce Development is reminding Iowans that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month....pg. 2 * This story was submitted by Veteran Representative Kate Bearce. She was moved after working to help a veteran.....pg. 3 * New Painting hangs at the VA Hospital New Mental Health Unit.....pg. 3

IPERS 2005 to 2009 Experience Study, June 2010

It is a pleasure to submit this report of our investigation of the experience of the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System for the period of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2009. The set of assumptions recommended as a result of this study will be used in the June 30, 2010 actuarial valuation of IPERS which will be used to analyze the funding status of the system, calculate the actuarial and statutory employer contribution rates, and disclose employer liabilities for financial statements. The purpose of this report is to communicate the results of our review of the actuarial methods and assumptions to be used in the completion of the upcoming valuation. Our recommendations represent changes from the prior methods or assumptions, which are intended to better anticipate the emerging experience of the System. Actual future experience, however, may differ from these assumptions. In preparing this report, we relied without audit on information supplied by IPERS staff. In our examination, we have found the data to be reasonably consistent and comparable with data used for other purposes. It should be noted that if any data or other information is inaccurate or incomplete, our calculations might need to be revised. We would like to acknowledge the help given by IPERS staff in the preparation of this report. We hereby certify that, to the best of our knowledge and belief, this report is complete and accurate and has been prepared in accordance with generally recognized and accepted actuarial principles and practices which are consistent with the principles prescribed by the Actuarial Standards Board (ASB) and the Code of Professional Conduct and qualification Standards for Public Statements of Actuarial Opinion of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Resource Guide For Job Seekers, November 2009

A Step-by-step guide to dealing with a job loss, starting a new job and everything in between.

Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System An Annual Summary for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011, FY 2011

Report on the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) for the year ended June 30, 2011

Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System Member Handbook Supplement, July 2010

In 2010, the state legislature and the governor approved changes to the IPERS plan. Important changes will apply to most IPERS members, but the changes are not effective until July 1, 2012. A few changes were effective immediately but did not affect most IPERS members. Because most of the IPERS plan is unchanged, IPERS published the law changes as a supplement to the IPERS Member Handbook. The IPERS Member Handbook remains effective until July 1, 2012. View the supplement as an addendum to the IPERS Member Handbook dated May 2009.

Simply IPERS: Special Edition, Summer 2010

Newsletter by IPERS about what is happening in this department. The changes that have taken place in the guideline and policies.

IPERB, October 2008

The IPERB newsletter is published by the Public Employment Relations Board. The opinions expressed should not be considered official opinions of the Iowa PERB.

IPERB, July 2009

The IPERB newsletter is published by the Public Employment Relations Board. The opinions expressed should not be considered official opinions of the Iowa PERB.

IPERB, March 2010

The IPERB newsletter is published by the Public Employment Relations Board. The opinions expressed should not be considered official opinions of the Iowa PERB.

IPERB, May 2010

The IPERB newsletter is published by the Public Employment Relations Board. The opinions expressed should not be considered official opinions of the Iowa PERB.

Union power, minimum wage legislation endogenous labor supplies and production

The objective of this work is to study the impact of the unions' bargaining power on production and wages. We present a model where a competitive final good is produced through two substitutable intermediate goods, one produced by unskilled labor and the other by skilled labor. Potential workers decide at their cost to become skilled or unskilled and, thus, labor supplies are determined endogenously. We find that the reallocation of the labor supplies due to changes in the unskilled (or skilled) unions¿ bargaining power may have a positive impact on the final goods production. At the same time, total labor earnings increase with the unskilled unions¿ bargaining power if the final goods production increases too. We also show that the minimum wage legislation has efects similar to an increase in the bargaining power of the unskilled unions.

Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System Member Handbook, September 2011

The IPERS Member Handbook summarizes the retirement plan that is provided for most employees of Iowa’s schools, cities, counties, townships, state agencies, and other governmental units. This publication explains the rights and benefits of IPERS membership in as clear and useful a manner as possible; however, it is not intended to be a complete presentation of the IPERS law and policies. Benefits provided under IPERS differ for Special service members—sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and those working in other protection occupations, such as firefighters, police, correctional officers, and conservation officers. This publication explains what these differences are. To help you find information that applies only to you, IPERS also publishes a variety of booklets and brochures to guide you through IPERS benefits at specific stages of your career, from membership enrollment to retirement. These educational resources are available for viewing or printing from our website at www.ipers.org. You may also contact IPERS and request a free printed copy. Alternative formats containing the information in this publication are available upon request. Note: This publication reflects the law as of July 2011. Some provisions will become effective at later dates, as noted. Any inconsistencies or inadvertent omissions will be resolved in favor of the law.

FY2008 Annual Summary July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008

It’s really quite simple. IPERS is a sure thing. IPERS benefits carry a lifetime guarantee. A bad economy and declining stock market do not decrease your benefits. Instead, your benefit amount is determined by a pre-established formula that replaces a percentage of your pre-retirement wages. How close your benefits get to the maximum of the IPERS plan—replacing 65 percent of pre-retirement wages or 72 percent for public safety personnel—is mostly up to you. Current employees don’t have to worry about where to invest or what to do when there is a slump in the stock market. Retirees don’t have to worry that a down market will reduce their monthly payments, and they never have to worry about outliving their IPERS benefits. Disability payments and death benefits act as a safety net for members and their families.

IPERS Employer Handbook, May 2006

As an Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) employer, it’s important for you to understand your organization’s role in managing and administering IPERS benefits for your employees. This IPERS Employer Handbook is designed to provide the information you need to take on this critical responsibility.