The source of contributions to the Fund is the employer, such as the County of Suffolk and other municipalities. Contributions are provided at an annual rate, prorated bi-monthly, on behalf of each covered employee. In accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the various governing agreements, the contributions are used to provide benefits for the covered employee and eligible dependents and to finance the cost of administration. The Fund has no requirement that employees contribute in order to become eligible for its benefits. In addition to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and other agreements governing the operation of the Fund, the Fund is subject to a large body of statutory law designed to protect the beneficiaries of the Fund. Under this body of law and under the various agreements, the Fund is mandated to submit its books to audit by certified public accountants. Copies of the Fund’s annual reports are reviewed by the Association of Municipal Employees and the County of Suffolk. All of the benefits provided by the Fund are self-insured and, as a result, the Fund maintains benefit accounts at various banks and investments in other institutions.

Staff

The Funds are governed by a joint Board of Trustees comprised of eight members, four of whom are designated by the Union, and four of whom are designated by the County, according to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust by which the Funds were created.

The Board of Trustees employ personnel who are responsible for the daily functioning and operation of the Fund, foremost of which is the processing of claims.

The Fund Administrator is officially designated as agent for service of legal process on the Fund.

All decisions of the administrator and the staff are subject to appeal in writing to the Board of Trustees.