MESSAGE FROM REAVC PRESIDENT – REDDY PAKALA
I want to start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hoping that 2026 brings you good health, happiness, and memorable moments with loved ones. As we welcomed a fresh start this January, I’m grateful for the continued support and engagement of our REAVC members. Your involvement is what makes our organization strong and vibrant, and together we can look forward to another year of meaningful activities and advocacy.
Two of our Board members have decided to resign for personal health reasons and also to enjoy more time with their families and friends. This leaves us with two vacancies on the REAVC Board.
Tom McEachern served on the Board for more than ten years. He was Chair of the REAVC Scholarship Committee. In this position, he guided the committee to select from ten to fifteen high school students annually for scholarship awards. He was instrumental in seeing the Committee review every application with fairness and compassion.
Jacqui Richardson was our representative to the California Retired Employees Association (CRCEA). This is important because being a member of CRCEA makes REAVC’s voice much more powerful in protecting retirees’ rights. Jacqui travelled to regional conferences to represent REAVC. Jacqui also provided several beautiful hand-made gift baskets as door prizes at our luncheons.
I want to recognize both Tom and Jacqui’s dedication and hard work to REAVC. They will be greatly missed. We do wish them all the best as they focus on their health and more time with their families and friends.
That leaves us with two vacancies on our Board. We are looking for two good people to fill these vacancies. I strongly encourage you to consider joining the REAVC Board and helping us in any capacity that feels comfortable to you. If you are interested, ask any Board member listed on the front of this newsletter. You may also send an email to info@reavc.org. One of us will get back to you to provide details and answer any questions about the Board’s responsibilities and level of commitment.
I do want to emphasize that joining the Board is a rewarding opportunity that directly contributes to REAVC’s mission. Board members play an essential role in planning events, advocating for retirees’ interests, and ensuring our organization remains a strong and supportive community. Your unique experience and perspective can help shape our future initiatives and make a positive impact on fellow members. Please consider stepping forward—your involvement is genuinely valued and appreciated.
On another note, REAVC’s litigation on behalf of many county retirees regarding VCERA’s pension reduction impacts is expected to be heard by the California Supreme Court in early 2026. It is possible the oral arguments may be heard in Los Angeles. As the matter proceeds, we will continue to update our members through our newsletter or our website (REAVC.ORG).
Again, best wishes for a safe, healthy, and happy 2026!
Dear Retirees and Friends:
REAVC’s most important issue at this time is protecting VCERA retirees from potential pension reductions for those who retired on or after January 1, 2013. VCERA insists that these reductions are required by the California Supreme Court’s Alameda decision (effective September 1, 2020). So far, after litigation filed by VCERA, the Superior and Appellate Courts have said that while VCERA MUST apply the requirements of Alameda to employees who retire ON OR AFTER September 1, 2020, they only MAY apply the required changes on or after beginning August 2020 for those who retired January 1, 2013, or later. VCERA still claims going back to those who retired on or after January 1, 2013 is required. We do not agree on what pay items need reduction or elimination, and certainly not to retirees since 2013. This is based on legal advice, union opinions, and the opinions of other 1937 Act Counties. The main focus of reductions at this point are elimination of some vacation buydown from final compensation; callback and standby pay (and similar), and for more recent retirees, removal of Flex Credit from final compensation. In fact, we do not agree that these reductions are required by law at all.
REAVC’s primary duty is to protect retirees’ pensions, especially for those already retired. We take this responsibility very seriously, first to be sure that VCERA only reduces pensions for those that retired on or after September 1, 2020, NOT those who retired on or after January 1, 2013, as they currently plan to do. Just as importantly, we want to be sure that the actions follow the true requirements of the law.
We have tried to work with VCERA, appearing at every Board meeting for more than a year, providing documents to prove our case. Seeing no opening for discussion, REAVC hired an attorney on your behalf. We have supported the ongoing litigation by the unions. In doing this, we have been working with another group, also working for all of us. That group consists of a retired CEO, a retired elected official, a retired member of County Counsel, retired department heads, and retired division heads. They have been admitted as “Friends of the Court.” They have also appeared before the VCERA Board and the courts, as needed.
Any of you who are interested in volunteering or serving as a Board member, please let any of our current Board members know. You may also leave a telephone message for us at (805) 644-7814 or write an email and send it to info@reavc.org. You can also visit our website at reavc.org. There you will find links to past newsletters, minutes of Board meetings, and information about upcoming events posted on the website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact any REAVC officer or Board member.
REAVC CALENDAR FOR 2026 – Every plan is made to be changed but failure to plan is to plan to fail. HUH? Anyway, our current calendar for 2026 can be found by clicking here. CLICK HERE!! 2026 – REAVC Calendar Just remember, the calendar is subject to change despite our best efforts.
