Referendum Notice for Eligible Canyons School District Employees
Important Dates:
- Nov. 4, 2009 (6:30pm – 8pm) – Social Security Vote Information Meeting at Brighton High School
- Nov. 10, 2009 (6:30pm – 8pm) – Social Security Vote Information Meeting at Jordan High School
- VOTE: Wednesday Dec. 9, 2009
Voting will take place at each school and both District Offices. At schools, voting will be open from the start of first lunch until 30 minutes after contract time. At the District Offices, voting will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At which time the following proposal will be voted upon by employees of the Canyons School District now under the Utah Retirement Systems:
“Shall the Canyons School District enter into an agreement with the Utah State Social Security Agency for the purpose of providing Social Security coverage for the employees of Canyons School District who are covered under the present public employee retirement system?”
< Click on calculaotr to download the Social Security Investment Calculator{slide=Q: Why is the vote necessary? }
A: If you work for a government entity that participates in a retirement system, that entity must have in place what is a called a Section 218 Agreement in order to pay into Social Security. Since Canyons School District is a new entity, we have not established such an agreement. Therefore it becomes necessary for all current employees participating in the Utah Retirement Systems to vote on the issue of participating in Social Security.
{/slide}{slide=Q: How is the outcome determined?}
A: A majority of eligible voters must vote one way or the other to determine the outcome of this referendum. In other words, a majority of eligible voters must show up and vote the same way to have a valid election. For example, if the Canyons School District had 60 eligible voters, 31 of those votes would have to vote the same way to have a valid outcome. If only 45 eligible voters show up and vote, you would still need 31 of those voters to vote the same way to have a valid outcome.
{/slide}{slide=Q: Have any governmental entities voted not to participate in Social Security?}
A: Some entities, including Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Riverton and the United States Congress, have voted not to participate in Social Security.
{/slide}{slide=Q: Will the vote on Social Security affect my participation in the Utah Retirement Systems, 401k, or Medicaid?}
A: No. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, there will be no affect on your Utah Retirement Systems participation, 401k plan or Medicaid.
{/slide}{slide=Q: Where and when can I vote?}
A: Voting will take place at each school and both District Offices. At schools, voting will be open from the start of first lunch until 30 minutes after contract time. At the District Offices, voting will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voting locations within each building will be determined by a building administrator.
{/slide}{slide=Q: Who is allowed to vote?}
A: Only employees who are members of the Utah Retirement Systems on the date that the notice of referendum is issued (Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009) are eligible to vote on the election day, which can be held no sooner than 90 days after the date of referendum. Approximately 2,650 employees are eligible to vote. The planned date for the vote is Dec. 9, 2009.
{/slide}{slide=Q: Where do I vote if I work in more than one location?}
A: Employees who work in more than one location will vote in the building where they receive their paychecks.
{/slide}{slide=Q: What are the voting protocols?}
A: The names of eligible voters will be printed on a list at each polling location (school or District Office). Voters must sign their names and show a school I.D. or driver’s license. Ballots will be tallied by the State Division of Finance.
{/slide}{slide=Q: How can I get an absentee ballot?}
A: Eligible employees can access absentee ballots by contacting Canyons CFO and General Counsel Keith Bradford at (801) 501-1006, or keith.bradford@canyonsdistrict.org. Absentee ballots will require an employee’s printed name, signature and Social Security
Number for verification. Ballots must be returned to the State Division of Finance, postmarked no later than Dec. 9.
{/slide}{slide=Q: Can another election be held if we do not like the outcome of the first election?}
A: If the outcome of the first vote is to participate in Social Security, then no additional election can be held. The decision to participate in Social Security is permanent and cannot be changed. If the decision is not to participate in Social Security, then another vote can be held after a minimum one-year waiting period and upon approval of the Board of Education. {/slide}{slide=Q: What will happen if employees vote to participate in Social Security?}
A: If the decision is to continue in Social Security, there will be no change. The district will continue to contribute its 6.2% of the employees’ salary to Social Security, and the employees will continue to have 6.2% of their salary withheld from their paycheck and submitted to Social Security.
{/slide}{slide=Q: What will happen if the decision is not to participate in Social Security?}
A: If the outcome of the election is to not participate in Social Security, then the 6.2% of the employees’ salary that had been withheld and contributed to Social Security will no longer be withheld and the employees will receive that additional amount in their paycheck. Based upon a resolution passed by the Board of Education on June 16, 2009, the 6.2% of employer’s share will be placed in the employees’ 401k with the Utah Retirement Systems.
{/slide}{slide=Q: How could I learn more about how the outcome of this election may affect me personally?}
A: The district will schedule employee meetings during the months of October and November to provide information and answer questions. Additional information also can be accessed at the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Web site, www.ssa.gov, or the following links: www.ssa.gov/retire2/wep.htm and www.ssa.gov/retire2/gpo.htm.{/slide}{slide=I can’t find my Social Security Statement. How can I order one?}
A: Visit the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Web site, https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/isss/main.html, for instructions on how to request your Social Security Statement.{/slide}
Social Security Resources:
Disability Benefits Social Security- Government Pension Offset
- Retirement Benefits Social Security
- Sample Social Security Statement
- Snapshot of Social Security
- Social Security Q&A
- Social Security Update 2009
- Substantial Earnings Table
- Survivors Benefits
- Understanding the SS Benefits
- Windfall Elimination Provision
- Your Retirement Benefit-How SS is Figured
Disability Benefits Social Security
