Nearing retirement? Congratulations! You’ve worked a long time to reach this day. Before it happens, there are many things to attend to. Communicate with MSRS about your pension benefits. Only they can answer detailed questions pertaining to your benefits. Attending one of their retirement presentations will also provide you with many good ideas. Here are some that I find interesting. Retirees should have at least 10 things to do a week. Cost of health insurance for 65: $95,000 to $165,000 If alive at age 65, 50% chance of living to age 90; 25% chance of living to age 98. ... Read More >>
Activity/Organization updates
MGEC Dues Increase
The MGEC Board has approved a dues increase for full members. Starting with the March 13 pay period, dues will be $16.54. We don’t increase dues without great consideration. Current MGEC full member dues are $15.68 per pay period. They have been that amount since 2020. The dues increase is equal to the wage increase MGEC employees received in their most recent contract. The first increase of $0.86 (5.5% to $16.54) will take place no earlier than the March 13, 2024, pay period. A second increase of $0.74 (4.5% to $17.28) will take place no earlier than the July 3, 2024, pay ... Read More >>
No Longer with MGEC – How Do I Get my Backpay?
If you separated/changed from State service after 7/1/23 you are entitled to backpay for the increased rate of pay effective retroactively to 7/1/23. This would include those that retired or were promoted out of the MGEC bargaining unit. To get your backpay, contact your prior human resources representative. You won’t receive your backpay without reaching out to request it. ... Read More >>
Why Didn’t My Pay Change?
MGEC Contract Implementation Update We are receiving a deluge of communications from the MGEC membership about the date of the payroll implementation of the new contract. We hear you! Here’s what we know: Communications from MMB to MGEC as well as all agency payroll staff advised that all of the negotiated changes - including the 5.5% effective 7/1/23 - as well as all of the other benefits would be implemented 12/20/23. That pay cycle started 12/20/23 and ended 1/2/24; The 12/20/23 change should be reflected on the upcoming paycheck to be paid 1/12/24, which is visible in the ... Read More >>
Two State Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
MGEC has been approached by MMB with two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) seeking our agreement. The first MOU is about Sick and Safe Time and the second concerns a potential Federal government shutdown. The Sick and Safe Time MOU brings into alignment gaps in the current contract with the Sick and Safe Time law passed this last session. As you may have heard, the legislature greatly expanded access to paid time off for all public and private employees in the state, guaranteeing time off for illnesses for employees and their families. Because MGEC members already have paid sick time, ... Read More >>
Public Employee Pension Committee Update
The multi-union collation known as the Public Employee Pension Committee (PEPC) met on Friday, September 15th to hear updates and develop an action plan for the upcoming legislative session. The Legislation Commission on Pensions and Retirement (LCPR), which the PEPC informs and is comprised of a bipartisan group of legislators to decide pension issues, has also conducted a meeting in Duluth on October 30th to hear directly from active pension participants as well as retirees. The goal of getting a broad pension bill out of the Legislature is underway. Notwithstanding the fact that it ... Read More >>