State of California

  M E M O R A N D U M

  REFERENCE CODE:
  2004-053

  DATE:
  October 1, 2004

  TO:
  Accounting Officers
  Budget Officers
  Employee Relations Officers
  Personnel Officers

  FROM:
  Department of Personnel Administration
  Labor Relations Division

  SUBJECT:
  2004-2005 1959 Survivors Benefits, 5th Level

  CONTACT:
  Julie Chapman, Assistant Chief, Labor Relations Division
  (916) 324-9420
  FAX: (916) 322-0765 
  Email: juliechapman@dpa.ca.gov


  This is to notify departments of the change to the 1959 
  Survivor Benefit Program, 5th Level, for the 2004/05 fiscal 
  year.  The 1959 Survivor Benefit provides a monthly amount 
  to the survivor(s) of an employee who dies while actively 
  working for a State agency and the employee does not 
  participate in the Federal Social Security program.  
  
  In May 2004, the CalPERS Board of Administration approved 
  an increase to the fiscal year 2004/05 premium level for 
  the 1959 Survivor Benefit Program, 5th Level.  
  
  The monthly premium level for fiscal year 2004/05 will 
  increase from $8.00 (2003/04 premium level) to $10.40 per 
  eligible employee.  The current bargaining unit agreements 
  provide for an employee premium contribution of $2.00 per 
  month.  The difference of the $8.40 monthly premium will be 
  the responsibility of the departments which employ the 
  eligible employees.
  
  The monies for this benefit are transferred from the 
  individual department's funds by the State Controller's 
  Office using the accounting transfer process.  This process 
  is typically completed the month following the end of the 
  fiscal year.  
  
  Julie Chapman
  Assistant Chief, Labor Relations Division