Senate approves increase in retirement fund contributions

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a unanimous 13-0 vote, senators approved last Friday in final reading a new Senate bill, increasing the contribution rate for both government and employees to the ASG Employees Retirement Fund (ASGERF).

Meanwhile, the Administration has submitted the names of three local veteran educators for confirmation to serve on the American Samoa Department of Education Certification Board, as ASG has already implemented a salary reclassification for public school teachers.

RETIREMENT BILL

The new Senate retirement legislation sponsored by Sen. Magalei Logovi’i, adds a “3% increase” to ASG’s contribution from the current 8% while the members’ contribution goes up from 3% to “5%”.

And the bill, which was only introduced in the Senate on Aug. 3rd, doesn’t identify a funding source for the hike in the ASG contribution. Senate Retirement Committee chairman Sen. Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono says the committee has already held a hearing on issue.

A similar Senate bill was introduced last month by Sen. Utu Sila Poasa and seeks a “1% increase” to be added to the government’s contribution rate for “over a period of 5 years. The contribution rate shall be capped at 13 percent at the end of 5 years.” For the employees, the bill adds 2% beginning Oct. 1, 2021. Utu’s bill remains pending in committee.

The new Senate approved bill is identical in wording, to the one endorsed by the Fono in the First Regular Session, but was vetoed in April by the governor, who informed Fono leaders that the legislation does not identify a funding source for the increase in the government contribution and, in addition, the raises in government and employee contributions “are too high.”

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga recommend a 1% increase for the Government contribution and a 1% increase for the Members’ contribution.

CERTIFICATION BOARD

Under local law - A.S.C.A 16.1001 — titled Classification-Certification — the governor shall appoint the three-member ASG Department of Education Certification Board subject to confirmation by the Legislature. The board shall oversee the licensing and certification of all teaching personnel within the public school system.

In an Aug. 3rd letter to Fono leaders, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga submitted for confirmation the names of Mrs. Evelyn Lili’o-Satele, Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau and Mrs. Saouila Fanene Kava to the board.

Lili’o-Satele, a long time local educator, is current director of the Territorial Administration on Aging; Vaitinasa is a former Education director between 2013 to 2016, and Kava is a retired educator.

The nominees were introduced in the Senate last Friday and the Senate Education Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for all three nominees later this week.

The Certification Board, according to local statute, is responsible for enforcing the teacher certification program adopted by the local Department of Education and set forth in regulations promulgated by the Education director as authorized by this title.

Other provisions of the law state that no person may be employed as a member of the teaching personnel in any public school who is not of good character, in good health, and in possession of a teacher’s certification granted by the Certification Board.

Furthermore, teaching personnel shall be classed as teachers, principals, vice principals, counselors, supervisors, education specialists, and such other classes as may be prescribed by the Education director.