American Military University
click here for more information: http://www.amu.apus.edu/index.htm
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NBFAA to Award Scholarships to Children of Police, Firefighters
Irving, Texas, Oct. 9, 2006 – The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) has begun accepting applications for the 2007 Youth Scholarship Program which will award $10,000 in scholarships to two children of active duty police officers and firefighters. The first place winner will receive $6,500 to put towards their college education and the second place winner will receive $3,500.
Since the NBFAA Youth Scholarship Program was created in 1996, the association and its affiliated Chartered State Associations (CSA) have donated more than $ 250,000 in scholarship funds to students whose parents are police and fire officials.
“The men and women that serve this country each and every day as police officers or firefighters are heroes and national treasures,” said NBFAA President George Gunning. “The work they do in protecting our communities can never be appreciated enough. This scholarship is one of the ways we can thank our deserving public safety partners.”
Eligible students must be between 15 and 20 years old, a graduating high school senior and have been accepted for admission to an accredited college or university. Each eligible student must have a father, mother or natural guardian who is a full-time police officer or fire fighter. Students will be required to write an essay titled, What it Means to ME to have my parent or guardian involved in securing our community.
Students residing in a state with a participating NBFAA Chartered State Association must enter through their state-level scholarship program to be considered for the national awards. The winners from each state are automatically considered for the national scholarship. Students who reside in a state without an NBFAA chapter or in a non-participating state should submit their applications directly to NBFAA.
Awards are based on a combination of academic achievement, national test scores, extracurricular participation and the essay. The deadline for submitting applications is March 30, 2007. For complete scholarship rules and a list of participating states visit NBFAA’s Web site at www.alarm.org/info_ctr/security-scholar.html.
About NBFAA
NBFAA, a non-profit 501(c) 6 trade association, is the nation's oldest and largest organization dedicated to representing, promoting, and supporting the electronic life safety, security, and systems industry. Member companies specialize in a wide spectrum of services to commercial and residential consumers, including security and fire alarms, video surveillance, access control and monitoring. In cooperation with a federation of state associations, NBFAA provides government advocacy and delivers timely information, professional development tools, products and services that members use to grow and prosper their businesses. The NBFAA may be reached at (888) 447-1689 or on the Web at www.alarm.org.
Posted November 8, 2006
Metro Governments Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Everyone needs help from time to time dealing with life's challenges. Often it's not the unexpected that catches us off guard. It's more likely to be the predictable events and transitions in our lives - things like starting a new career, marriage, the birth of a child, the challenges teenagers present, or buying a house - that find us unprepared. Whether you want help dealing with a situation that's troubling you or are looking for information and referrals, Magellan can help. Magellan is Metro Governments Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and is available to you, your spouse, dependents, and those who reside in your household at no cost to you. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days per week from wherever you are. Trained clinicians answer the phone or you can set up counseling sessions with master degreed counselors around the Metro area. You can also log onto their website for interactive tools such as self-help programs on a wide range of mental health and personal development issues, including: anxiety, substance abuse, relationships, grieving, depression, communication, stress, work/life balance and more. Names are never reported to Metro Government, so the service is confidential.
1-800-588-8143 Dedicated Metro Government 24/7 phone line or
www.magellanhealth.com to access their web site with all of the valuable information
Another important source of help at LMPD are the Chaplains. They are also there for us, as someone to talk to, to help.
Posted September 6, 2006
KACo Seminar 8/15/06
Highlights
by Ed Davis
Retirement Seminar:
- The High 3 years and 2.5% for hazardous retirement are NOT going away, contrary to rumors.
- CERS non-hazardous members participating on or after August 1, 2004 will have a Benefit Factor of 2.0% at retirement.
- Free military service credit. If you are called up to active service during employment and return to work within 2 years of an honorable discharge, you can receive FREE credit for that active service. Send a copy of your DD-214 to the KY Ret Sys along with your social security number to receive this credit towards your retirement.
- Interest rates for The KY Ret Sys Installment Payment Plans have lowered from 8.1% to 7.75%. Payment Plans can be financed for up to 5 years while still working.
- Non Qualified time (Air or ghost time) can NOT be purchased by members NOT participating before July 15, 2002.
- After retirement, file a Schedule P with your KY income tax return. The first $41,110 of retirement income is exempt from KY state income tax. The $41,110 is now a set number and NOT connected to inflation!
- As of July14, 2000, in cases of divorce, benefits are not subject to division by a qualified domestic relations order, but are considered in the division of marital property under KRS 403.190(4).
- For members participating after July 1, 2003, their Health insurance benefit will be determined by the number of years of service over 10 years. Non-hazardous members will get $10 benefit per month for every year of service over 10 years. Hazardous members will receive $15 benefit per month for every year of service over 10 years.
- Members over 65 and still working must have Medicare part A & B before they retire to be eligible for the retirement systems supplemental health insurance plan.
- For best retirement planning, you should start getting retirement estimates about 2 years before you plan on retiring.
- Every member now has a PIN for their retirement account, it was on your annual statement, you should have recieved the first of September. There will be a copy of the Summary Plan Discription for Active Members mailed to you with the next news letter from the Ky. Ret. Sys.
Posted 7-11-06
Governor Ernie Fletcher's Communications Office
Governor Fletcher Announces $136.5 Million Budget Surplus for Fiscal Year 2006
Governor directs part of budget surplus to state retirement systems
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced a $136.5 million General Fund surplus for Fiscal Year 2006, which ended June 30.
To ensure the state’s financial stability, the Governor directed $112.5 million of the surplus to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, generally known as the “rainy day fund.”
Governor Fletcher also exercised his authority under the recent budget bill to transfer $24 million divided into equal shares to the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) and the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System (KTRS) Medical Insurance Fund.
“This surplus – our third consecutive surplus – is the result of deliberate, tough fiscal management and of a strong economy,” said Governor Fletcher. “Maintaining a strong budget reserve allows us to continue improving our bond rating while at the same time putting money aside for possible emergencies. Adding funds to our retirement systems will help our state fulfill long-standing commitments to public employees and give comfort, stability and assurance to retired teachers and public servants. Strong fiscal responsibility is crucial in our efforts to move Kentucky forward, and today’s announcement is another indication of how we are doing just that.”
“A strong budget reserve is important to all areas of state government because it helps us maintain funding in the event of a financial downturn,” said Sen. Dan Kelly (R-Springfield). “I am also pleased we are continuing to address the funding concerns of our pension systems.”
“This is tremendous good news for the people of Kentucky,” said Rep. Jeff Hoover (R-Jamestown). “This administration is continuing to look at ways to save money and manage government efficiently. I applaud Governor Fletcher this administration for their fiscal responsibility.”
“It is very wise to put this money into the retirement systems,” said Sen. Ed Worley (D-Richmond). “I understand the Governor’s commitment to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, so I think this is a fair balance for the distribution of the money.”
Under the current budget bill, the only allowable uses for the General Fund surplus are limited to the retirement systems and the rainy day fund, which includes Necessary Government Expenditures.
The transfer of $112.5 million to the rainy day fund brings the amount to $231.5 million or 2.8 percent of projected FY07 General Fund revenue. The commonwealth’s statutory target for the fund is 5 percent of General Fund Revenue.
“The Governor has made a very prudent decision regarding the budget surplus,” said Sen. Tom Jensen (R-London). “He is shoring up the retirement funds for teachers and state employees while at the same time adding to our rainy day fund, which will help us maintain a good bond rating. I think this is an excellent decision on the Governor’s part.”
The Governor’s budget office attributes the General Fund surplus, in part, to revenue growth of $731 million largely due to Kentucky’s robust economy. The unexpected portion of this revenue growth, when adjusted for unbudgeted expenses, comprises the FY06 General Fund surplus.
In May, 2006, which is the last month for which seasonally adjusted employment data is available, Kentucky employment reached an all-time high of 1,845,700.
“This surplus goes to show the great efforts Governor Fletcher and his administration have made in running state government efficiently,” said Sen. Gary Tapp (R-Waddy). “The money being added to the retirement systems shows this administration’s dedication to continuing the commitments made by past administrations and the general assembly.”
In FY07 Executive Branch employer contributions to KERS are estimated to be $120 million from all funds. Governor Fletcher’s transfer of $12 million to this fund is intended to increase the FY07 employer contribution by 10 percent.
Governor Fletcher’s transfer of $12 million to KTRS Medical Insurance Fund will relieve financial pressures on the KTRS pension system which have arisen from increased health insurance costs.
“I speak for the board in saying we are absolutely delighted to receive an additional $12 million in funding – an approximate 10 percent increase in what the governor and legislature appropriated to the Kentucky Retirement system in the last general fund budget,” said Bill Hanes, executive director of the Kentucky Retirement Systems. “We compliment the Governor for recognizing the funding issues at the state retirement systems and for making this contribution to the Kentucky Retirement System.”
“Transferring these funds to KTRS is a wonderful thing for Governor Fletcher to do for our retired teachers,” said Gary Harbin, executive secretary of the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System. “This money will go into our medical insurance fund, helping defray the cost of retiree health care.”
The state’s separate Road Fund achieved a surplus of $37.5 million. The Road Fund surplus was entirely attributable to reductions in expenditures totaling $38.7 million. Under Kentucky law, the entire Road Fund surplus will be used for state highway construction.
“From the outset, our priorities have been efficient management of government services and the growth of Kentucky’s economy,” stated Governor Fletcher. “In the first two fiscal years of my administration, our strategies have paid off with significant budget surpluses without tax increases.”
Posted 7-3-06
Federal Perkins Student Loan Cancelation
It appears that any sworn employee who took out a Federal Perkins (NDSL) student loan for college expenses can qualify for up to 100% cancellation of the loan since you serve full-time as a qualifying law enforcement officer for a local agency. Attached is the form to complete to start the process rolling with your school. I would like to thank Detective Brimm for doing the legwork on this one.
Click here to download the Request Form cancelperkins1
Posted 6-14-06
F Y I
Retirement/Benefits
Vol #1
These are some of the things the Lodge thinks you should know and be aware of. Brothers Steve Schweitzer & Ed Davis will be the contributors. Please check this page out occasionally for new or additional information!
You are members of the Kentucky Retirement Systems (CERS Hazardous), and should receive a statement every August that is for the previous fiscal year ending June 30th of that year. You should keep these annual statements in a retirement folder at your home. They are great reference materials when making purchases and preparing for retirement. The Kentucky Retirement Systems has a Web site, kyret.com, that you can find very helpful information. One of the best is the PLAN SUMMARY DESCRIPTION! You can look it up on the web site and/or print it out for quick reference.
Ed and I used this many times in our dealings with the retirement system. Equally important is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) with the Retirement System. You can get this by going to the web site and then forms and downloading the Request for PIN. Fill it out and send it back, the address is on the form. When you get your PIN, the counselors will give you any information you request.
Remember, it is your retirement and the more YOU know about it now, will better prepare you for when the big day comes. More information will come as we put together these articles. If you have questions, call or email the lodge, and we will try to get the answers. Stay safe!
A Creeping Concern - Employee pensions
Please click on this link to read the article in the Cinncinati Post http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006606120381
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