Plan Administration (Retirement Board and Advisory Committee)
Contributions To The Retirement Plan
Health Insurance
Retirement Video
Brown Bag Information Meetings

Plan Administration - The Plan is governed by a five member board appointed for six year terms by the Mayor of the City and County of Denver. In addition, a three person nonvoting advisory committee is elected by the Plan membership for three year terms. The Executive Director, Steven Hutt, is employed by the Retirement Board to administer the Plan subject to the policies set by the Board and the Revised Municipal Code of the City and County of Denver.

Retirement Board: Cheryl Cohen-Vader, Irving S. Hook, Bonney Lopez, Tom Migaki, Robert F. Strenski

Advisory Committee: Mike Aleksick, Adeniyi Kelani, Ph.D., Erma D. Zamora

Contributions to the Retirement Plan - As of January 1, 2010, the City and County of Denver and DHHA contribute 8.5% of the employee’s total gross salary to the trust fund, and the employee contributes 4.5% of his or her total gross salary. The contribution made by the employee is on a pretax basis through payroll deduction. For example, if the employee’s gross salary per pay period is $1,500, the deduction per pay period would be $67.50 ($1,500 x .045 = $67.50). The employer’s contribution per pay period would be $127.50. Together, the employer and employee contributions, plus income from investments, fund the retirement benefits for employees and their beneficiaries.

If an active employee terminates employment prior to being vested (ineligible for a retirement benefit), his or her accumulated employee contributions, plus 3% interest, will be refunded in a lump sum. As an alternative, the terminated employee may roll over this accumulated contribution and 3% interest to a qualified retirement plan account. Upon the acceptance of a refund, the terminated employee forfeits all years of service and any future retirement benefit eligibility. However, the terminated employee who returns to employment will receive credit for the years of service forfeited by repaying the original refund, plus interest.

If an active employee terminates employment and is vested (eligible for a retirement benefit) the contribution shall not be refunded. Instead, the contribution will be used to fund his or her future retirement benefit.

Together, the employer and employee contributions, plus income from investments, fund the retirement benefits for employees and their beneficiaries.

Health Insurance - The Plan developed a health insurance premium reduction benefit to help members with the cost of health insurance. This benefit pays a portion of members' monthly health insurance premiums, provided the member is enrolled in group insurance offered through the Plan. The monthly amount the Plan contributes toward health insurance is established by the Board based on credited service with the City/DHHA (excluding purchased governmental service credits). The Plan also offers a Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement for its out-of-state members who are under age 65. Contact the Plan for more information.

Retirement Video - Members may check out our new comprehensive retirement video for additional information. To check out a video, contact the Plan at 303-839-5419 or e-mail to mbrsvs@derp.org.

Brown Bag Information Meetings: Denver Employees Retirement Plan will be holding a Brown Bag Retirement Information Meeting every month. The next meeting will be held Friday, March 12, 2010.

Location: The Webb Building
201 West Colfax
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Room 4.F.6.

2010 Brown Bag Meeting Schedule:

Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
December: none

Join the Plan for lunch, and learn more about your retirement!

Active members may also schedule an individual appointment with a Membership Service Representative to go over any specific questions about retirement.

©2010 Denver Employees Retirement Plan
777 Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80203-3717