PARRA Report
October 2021 Report
Submitted by Jim Dolgonas, President, PARRA
PARRA, the President's and Regents Retirement Association, representing retirees of Office of the President and the offices of the Regents, has adjusted and reduced activities because of the pandemic.
Membership and Recruitment
PARRA continues to struggle to obtain from UCOP timely and correct information about new retirees. The new UCRP system was supposed to improve the flow of information but instead up until now the flow of information from the UCRP has essentially stopped. The President of PARRA has raised this issue to the VP of HR and will continue to press this issue, though support from CUCRA will be appreciated as well.
Association Activities
PARRA's held two zoom sessions instead of the normal luncheons with speakers. Both sessions were well attended. Previously conducted food bank volunteer activities have been suspended until it is safe to resume them.
PARRA mailed the 2020 survey report to executives at the Office of the President.
Association Member Benefits
The Berkeley Retirement Center has extended to UCOP/Regents retirees benefits available to campus retirees, except for access to some library privileges.
A major benefit PARRA provides to retirees is advocacy on their behalf. Since the last report there have been several instances where PARRA was asked to advocate for a retiree and in other cases PARRA has raised issues to UCOP on behalf all retirees.
Plans for the Future
When the pandemic subsides, PARRA will continue to offer multiple speaker luncheons and volunteer activities each year. Importantly PARRA will continue to advocate for equity in health insurance rates for retirees; for continued choice in health insurance plans, including the continuation of PPO plans; and, for clear and complete communication of health insurance choices.
UCOP retirees receive health care facilitator support from the RASC, unlike other locations which have dedicated staff. Based on concerns that the RASC is not able to fulfill this responsibility to the level desired, PARRA has requested that UCOP provide funding to the Berkeley campus to add resources to enable provision of such support from the campus.