CSU-ERFA

What is CSU-ERFA and What Does It Do?

The CSU-ERFA was created in 1985 in response to attempts to reduce or eliminate CSU retirees’ rights. It is a statewide not-for-profit corporation and its exclusive purpose is to address the concerns and protect the rights of retired CSU faculty and staff. CSU-ERFA represents our interests before the California legislature, the federal government, various state and federal agencies, CalPERS, and the CSU Chancellor’s Office. You may browse the ERFA website by clicking or entering this website address: http://csuerfa.org

It is important for retired faculty and staff to join the state-wide CSU Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association, hereafter CSU-ERFA, and the local CSUS Faculty and Staff Emeritus Association. Many of us think that when we retire, our pension through the Public Employee Retirement System, and benefits, are set and secure and there’s nothing more to worry about! This is not the case.

The following list cites some of the major accomplishments of CSU-ERFA:

1. CSU-ERFA provided the leadership in convincing the CSU Board of Trustees to adopt resolution RFSR 06-89-03 which established that "the .... emeritus faculty shall be deemed to be continuing members of the academic community" and shall have privileges "on the same basis as are enjoyed by the general faculty." CSU-ERFA works with campus affiliates to ensure that the intent of the Trustees' resolution is fully implemented.
   
2. CSU-ERFA has been active in protecting retirement funds. For example, in 1992 the Governor attempted to balance the state budget by using about $2 billion of retirement funds. Working with other California public employee organizations, Proposition 162 was approved, which provides protection against the use of retirement funds for general budget purposes.
   
3. Our Legislative Affairs Committee protects the interest of all CSU retirees by analyzing and tracking legislation in both the California State Legislature and the United States Congress that would affect retiree benefits. CSU-ERFA representatives participate in legislative and public agency hearings to present and defend the interest of CSU retirees.
   
4. CSU-ERFA was instrumental in working with the Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to establish the CalPERS Long-Term Care Insurance Program. Several features of the program, including its flexibility, consumer protection standards and the partnership option were influenced by CSU-ERFA involvement.
   
5. CSU-ERFA staff members and volunteers have extensive experience working with the various CalPERS health plans. This experience is useful in assisting individual members who encounter problems with their health insurance or with medical and health facilities.
   
6. CSU-ERFA supported federal legislation that eliminated the source tax for retirees who reside in a different state than the state which provides their retirement income. Because of these laws, retirement income of CSU retirees who live outside California is subject only to the state income tax of their state of residence.
   
7. CSU-ERFA provided assistance and representation for members participating in the Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP) when they were threatened with layoffs during past periods of financial exigency.
   
8. CSU-ERFA informs members about impending changes in health plans. In recent years, the association has been especially active working with CalPERS to control the costs of medical plans and pharmaceuticals.
   
9. CSU-ERFA provides assistance and support to CSU campus retiree associations. A portion of each CSU-ERFA member's dues are remitted annually to the retiree association at the campus from which he or she retired. Each affiliated campus organization is represented on the CSU-ERFA State Council. Currently, 17 campus organizations are affiliated with CSU-ERFA.
   
10. CSU-ERFA has implemented a Grant Awards Program to provide support for research projects on matters of importance to CSU retirees. Grants are awarded annually.
    
11. CSU-ERFA representatives discovered that legislation preventing 1992 retirees who accepted the "Golden Handshake" option from working in any compensated capacity in the CSU system was no longer in effect a decade later. Faculty who retired in 1992 are now able to be compensated for any CSU appointments.
    
12. After years of effort, CSU-ERFA was successful in achieving voting membership for a retired faculty member on the CSU Academic Senate. The CSU-ERFA State Council appoints the retired faculty member who serves on the CSU Academic Senate.
    
13. The Association has developed a Survivor's Guide that identifies details which should be considered in advance of death. A copy of the Guide is provided to each new member and additional copies are available for a nominal fee.
    
14. The CSU-ERFA Reporter is published and distributed to members four times annually, members are informed about important pending legislation, governmental agency actions, CSU decisions that affect retirees and news about members. A web site at http://csuerfa.org provides current information of interest to members.
    
15. The Association supports and works on behalf of consumer protection legislation deemed to be in the best interests of retired faculty. Advocacy for reforms that would improve CalPERS Long-Term Care programs have been of special interest in recent years.

Item 16 is specific to Sacramento State retirees:

16. The Sacramento State Emeritus Association partners with CSU-ERFA in the effort to safeguard retirement and health care benefits.

Sacramento State ERFA members:

• serve as chairs of the CSU-ERFA Legislation and Health Benefits committees and are members of the CSU-ERFA executive committee,

• work cooperatively with State Council of Retired Emplyees,

• closely monitor legislation that may affect our life-time pension and health care benefits, and

• represent CSU-ERFA before the Public Employees Retirement System board of directors.

The CSU-ERFA and Sacramento State Webmasters:

• routinely post benefit updates to keep members informed, and

• given their ability to conduct membership surveys within 48 hours, are playing a vital role in protecting member benefits.

This list of accomplishments cites some, but not all, of the ways in which CSU-ERFA (and the Sacramento State Emeritus Association) has been an effective voice for CSU retired faculty and staff since 1985.

Revised January 2007
CSU-ERFA Membership Committee

Revised August 2010
Sacramento State Membership Committee

 

Who May Join CSU-ERFA and How Much Does it Cost?

CSU-ERFA was founded to protect the health benefit and retirement rights of CSU faculty. However, if staff at a given University may join the local emeritus association, then CSU-ERFA accepts their membership as well. Dues for ERFA are pegged to a retiree’s gross monthly retirement benefit and range from $5 - $9 per month; they are deducted from our PERS check, making membership virtually painless! A portion of these dues are returned to the member’s home campus emeritus association.

 

How Do I Join CSU-ERFA?

Click on this link to the CSU-ERFA membership page. Download the application form. http://csuerfa.org/membership.html