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Background |
| This VEBA Trust was created in 1983 to provide school districts in the State of Washington a method to provide employees supplemental benefits; particularly post-retirement medical savings accounts.
The Trust is a non-profit benefit plan operated for the benefit of public employees in the State of Washington.
Three school employees associations jointly endeavored to create this VEBA Trust. The three sponsoring organizations are the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), and the Washington Association of School Business Officials (WASBO).
Each sponsoring organization appoints two member school employees as Trustees to manage all aspects of the VEBA Trust Plans.
In 1997 legislation was passed to permit employees of community and technical colleges to participate in a medical expense plan funded with retirement sick leave cash-out.
In 1998, legislation was passed to permit employees in state general government agencies and higher education institutions to participate in a medical expense plan funded with retirement sick leave cash-out.
On March 19, 1999, the VEBA Trust signed a Personal Services Contract with the State of Washington Department of Personnel.
The VEBA Trust has provided benefits to over 27,000 Washington school employees since its inception. Of the 296 Washington school districts, over 245 have offered a VEBA Plan. Thirty community and technical colleges are participating. As of December, 2007, 86 state agencies are participating in the Plan. The Trust pays over 1,000 benefit claims a month and pays the monthly insurance premiums for over 1,000 retirees. |
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Plan Service |
| Two firms provide daily service to Trust participants and employees. These firms are the third-party administrator, REHN & ASSOCIATES of Spokane, Washington, and the plan consultant, the VEBA Service Group, LLC.
REHN & ASSOCIATES is an experienced employee benefits administrator specializing in the administration of VEBA health reimbursement plans. Individual participant account management and benefit payment services for this VEBA Trust are provided by REHN & ASSOCIATES.
All specific account questions, claim questions, account statement inquiries, supply orders, etc. should be directed to REHN & ASSOCIATES.
The VEBA Service Group, LLC provides the Trustees consulting advice and assists in the coordination of all of the Trust's activities. In addition, the VEBA Service Group has a regional office in Eastern Washington and Western Washington with full-time service representatives to provide employers and participants access to personalized local service.
Questions regarding how to enroll, plan benefits, scheduling of local meetings, etc. should be directed to your regional VEBA Service Group, LLC office.
The Trust's legal counsel, Russell Greenblatt of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, is nationally recognized as a leader in the employee benefits field of VEBAs and HRAs. His experience brings the VEBA Trust participants, and participating employers the highest level of legal expertise to ensure the Trust and Plan are operating in compliance with complex federal tax regulations.
VEBA Trust hired Arnerich Massena & Associates, Inc. in 2006 as the Trust's investment consultant. The firm is located in Portland, Oregon and assists the Board of Trustees with investment selection, review, and monitoring of the individual fund options and portfolios. Arnerich Massena currently represents over $8 billion in client assets, and Jayson Davidson is the consultant assigned to the Trust.
The Stable Value fund manager, Dwight Asset Management Company of Burlington Vermont, is a highly regarded investment advisory firm. Jeff Clark is the portfolio manager assigned to the Trust.
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Trustees |
| The current Trustees are:
AWSP
Dave Bouge - Central Valley S.D.
Paula Bond - Tacoma S.D.
WASA
Dr. Polly Crowley - West VAlley S.D. #363
Dr. Steve Rasmussen - Issaquah S.D.
WASBO
John Knutson - Kent S.D.
Wayne Leonard - Mead S.D.
The Trustees employ a contract claims administrator, legal counsel, consultants, and an investment manager. The Trustees are fiduciaries and have a duty to act prudently and in the best interest of all plan participants and beneficiaries.
The Trustees meet periodically throughout the year with their professional advisors to review plan status, investments, changes in regulations, etc. Updates are sent to the Trust sponsors to keep them informed of the Trust's activities.
Each year the Trust is audited by a certified public accounting firm and the Trust's investment consultant provides in-depth reviews of the Trust's investments. |
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Sponsors |
| The following organizations sponsor the VEBA Trust and each appoints two of the six trustees who govern the Trust.
Association of Washington School Principals
The mission of the Association of Washington School Principals is to support principals and principal ship in the education of all students.
The Association of Washington School Principals services for their members include professional development, research and information, legislative support, publications, legal assistance, and more. You may contact the Association of Washington School Principals for further information regarding their services.
Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
1021 8th Ave. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1-360-357-7951
1-800-562-6100
Fax 1-360-357-7966
E-Mail: awsp@awsp.org
Website: www.awsp.org
Gary Kipp, Executive Director
Washington Association of School Administrators
The Washington Association of School Administrators is a professional association representing more than 1,300 members including superintendents, central office administrators and other administrators in Washington state. Major services and benefits include professional development, legislative advocacy, career advancement, leadership opportunities, publications, member assistance and contract services.
Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA)
825 5th Ave. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
1-360-943-5717
1-800-859-9272
Fax 1-360-352-2043
E-Mail: admin@wasa-oly.org
Website: www.wasa-oly.org
Paul Rosier, Executive Director
Washington Association of School Business Officials
The Washington Association of School Business Officials is a professional organization dedicated to providing quality service to the membership. Through innovative leadership, WASBO offers opportunities for professional development, certification, networking and communication with peer organizations, political entities and the education community.
The Washington Association of School Business Officials is a non-profit organization of school employees whose responsibilities include the business affairs of public and non-public schools.
Members may be wholly or partially responsible for budgeting, school finance, accounting, purchasing and supply management, payroll, maintenance and operation, data processing, school plant planning and construction, school food service management, transportation and any other major areas of school business administration.
Washington Association of School Business Officials (WASBO)
202 Central NE, Suite 140
Olympia, WA 98506
1-360-528-2025
1-800-524-4706 (WA State only)
Fax 1-360-528-2028
E-Mail: wasbo@wasbo.org
Website: www.wasbo.org
Kris Van Gorkom, Executive Director |
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Trust Mission Statement |
| The VEBA Trust provides high-quality, tax-advantaged, health reimbursement plans for public employees in Washington. |
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Trust Belief Statements |
- Plan offerings are supplemental to basic benefits
- The Trustees provide effective leadership reflecting well reasoned and prudent decisions in the best interest of all members
- The Trust is compliant with regulatory requirements
- Members receive excellent service
- Trustees utilize professional service providers because of their expertise, experience and cost effectiveness
- Members claims and insurance payments are processed quickly and efficiently
- Members have reasonable choice of investments to reflect their personal preferences
- Administrative costs are competitive
- Trust growth is managed advantageously for members
- Trustees seek feedback from members
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