District representative informs retirees about legislation

STEUBENVILLE -- Members of a public employee retirement advocacy group's local chapter Wednesday heard from its district representative, who discussed legislation that could affect their retirement benefits.

As a member of the board of trustees, Jim Range represents District 9 of Public Employee Retirees Inc., an agency that advocates for members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. Ohio is divided into 11 eight-county districts, with District 9 containing Coshocton, Gurrnsey, Belmont, Jefferson, Harrison, Carroll, Tuscarawas and Holmes counties.

Range was the guest speaker at the February meeting at Froehlich's Classic Corner. Chapter members are current, retired or the spouses of public employees in federal, state, county or municipal government, and the PERI organization is dedicated to preserving OPERS benefits for members, while communicating benefit changes and providing education on the system.

"I really enjoy coming down and enjoy your meetings," Range said.

"It's so wonderful for me to come down here. You have one more officer than most chapters have because you have a co-president. ... You guys are doing well."

Range shared information he received from PERI's state board of trustees meeting regarding the state of legislation and other developments that could affect members or their benefits.

On a state level, Range quoted PERI's legislative counsel, Greg Bennet, saying that this is a "bizarre time" for the Ohio Legislature. With 2024 being an election year and a primary approaching on March 19, many politicians are busy campaigning rather than passing legislation, Range said.

"We're paying these guys and they're not doing a whole lot at the present time," Range said, claiming that only 12 bills -- as opposed to resolutions -- were passed by the Legislature in 2023, the lowest number since 1955.

The Ohio House of Representatives did pass Concurrent Resolution 6 with an 85-0 vote. The resolution, which now moves to the state Senate, expresses the House's approval of repealing the federal Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset.

Range explained that, with the establishment of Social Security law, states could opt in or out of having their public employees pay into Social Security, with Ohio opting out. Thus, the federal government added the WEP, which says that individuals who didn't pay into Social Security will be penalized by receiving a reduced amount, even if they have enough Social Security credits to receive full benefits.

With his previous employment, Range himself fell into that category, having full credits to receive full Social Security benefits and being eligible to collect a pension from OPERS. However, the WEP limited his Social Security because he receives a public pension and didn't pay into Social Security because of his public pension job.

Range noted that the GPO functions similarly to the WEP, though it specifically affects widows and dependents of Social Security recipients.

Federal repeal efforts are being discussed in the House of Representatives and Senate, with House Bill 82 and Senate Bill 597 respectively. In spite of a large co-sponsorship showing for the House legislation, Range said that a full repeal is unlikely due to the anticipated cost, according to PERI's legislative counsel.

Separately, Range said OPERS "had a pretty good year in 2023 as far as investments," with the pension fund investments increasing 11.34 percent -- much higher than expected -- and health care fund investments increasing 13.96 percent.

Range also reported that PERI is enacting various cost-cutting efforts and taking from certain investments, without hurting their principals, to help offset financial losses, which are down from 2023.

At the chapter level, the insurance and benefit supplemental provider AMBA will help PERI gain more membership and increase engagement by paying for 1,000 mailing services for individuals who can't come to meetings, Range said. AMBA also will pay a year's worth of PERI membership for anyone who joins.

On another note, Range said that the resignation of U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson has left Ohio's 6th Congressional District without representation, as his seat is unable to have a new appointment and won't be filled until the June 11 special election. Johnson resigned in January to become president of Youngstown State University.

Range noted upcoming events that PERI members are invited to attend, including a District 9 meeting at Wagner Field's newly constructed press box in Cadiz on May 9, with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting starting at 10:30 a.m. Admission to the catered meeting is $15, and there will be close parking and public restrooms available at the press box.

A free joint seminar between PERI and AMBA, regarding how to avoid the financial impact of a critical medical diagnosis, will be on Tuesday at 4 p.m., with the seminar taking place online -- registration is available at operi.org. Additional free seminars will be in person, taking place in Canton on March 12 and Youngstown on March 28.

Range himself was a prosecuting attorney in Tuscarawas County for more than 30 years. He became involved with PERI at the encouragement of his mother, a public library employee and PERI member. He first became involved with PERI in 2017 and has been the District 9 representative for almost three years.

The chapter's next meeting will be at 11 a.m. on March 13 at Froehlich's.