Treasurer Diossa Announces Pension Advisory Working Group Members

Published on Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Providence, RI – Today, Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa announced the members of the Pension Advisory Working Group. As passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly and enacted under R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-10.2-11, the working group is tasked with reviewing and analyzing the impact of the Rhode Island Retirement Security Act of 2011 on the state’s public retirement system. The group will then prepare a report containing the findings and proposed options for consideration by the governor, speaker of the house and president of the senate by March 1, 2024.

“As General Treasurer, it is my duty to protect Rhode Island’s assets and strengthen the state’s financial position, beginning with the $10.5B in assets in our pension system. This working group will review the impact of the Retirement Security Act of 2011 and ensure that we continue to protect Rhode Island retirees, public employees, and taxpayers going forward,” said General Treasurer Diossa. “I am grateful to the individuals who have stepped up to lead this working group and look forward to a transparent and engaging process for the public.”

Collectively, the Pension Advisory Working Group will meet six times as a full body on the dates below. The meetings will take place at 4:00 P.M. in the State House and are open to the public. Meeting dates, times, and location are subject to change. The current schedule as of now is as follows:

November 2, 2023

November 30, 2023

December 14, 2023

January 17, 2024

January 31, 2024

February 21, 2024

The Working Group consists of the following members:

Ernie Almonte, CPA – President of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns

Eric Atwater, FSA – Partner, Aon PLC

Patrick Crowley – Secretary Treasurer of the AFL-CIO

Michael DiBiase – President and CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council

Thomas Huestis – Senior Managing Director at Public Resources Advisory Group

John P. Maguire – Active Teacher Representative, Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island Board

Alicia Munnell – Director at Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. Laura Quinby, Ph.D., Senior Research Economist at Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research, will serve as Ms. Munnell’s designee

George Nee – President of the AFL-CIO

Edinaldo Tebaldi, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics and Economics and Director of Strategic Planning & Institutional Effectiveness at Bryant University

Jonathan Womer – Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration