Bev Johns sent me this remarkable letter from CMS, the management firm that runs the Teacher Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP).
Letter, 4 pages printed on both sides of two legal size pieces
of paper, is from CMS and HMS Employer Solutions
in Jeffersonville, Indiana.“FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THIS VERIFICATION
LETTER WILL RESULT IN THE REMOVAL
OF YOUR DEPENDENT(S) FROM THE TEACHERS’
RETIREMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM.”The first paragraph:
“To ensure that only eligible dependents are covered
under Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP),
the Illinois Department of Central Management Services
(CMS) has retained the services of HMS Employer
Solutions (HMS), an independent firm, to conduct a
dependent eligibility verification audit.”REQUIRED DOCUMENTS by October 25, 2013:
“REQUIRED DOCUMENTS – All Required Documents
MUST [underlined] include date and/or year, employee
name, and dependent’s name.
“A copy of the front page of your 2012 federal tax return
transcript** identifying this dependent as your spouse; AND
a document dated within the last 60 days showing current
relationship status such as a bank, mortgage or credit
card statement listing both names, or a Property Tax
Statement issued within the past 12 months listing both names.”**NOTE: Review FAQ #13 for information on how to obtain a
federal tax return transcript at no cost to you.”“Q13: How do I get a federal tax return transcript?
You must provide a copy of the front page of your federal tax
return TRANSCRIPT [emphasis added] ….” Then it states
how to contact IRS to get the transcript in 7 to 10 days.Enclosed is prepaid postage “Business Reply Mail” to HMS
in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Apparently CMS has hired HMS to make sure us old folks aren’t trying to pull some stuff.
First of all, your spouse better be living with you. None of that she’s painting in Paris and I’m writing a novel in Kankakee. And your bank accounts better be joint ones. And if you women teachers think you can have your own private credit card. Think again.
But the amazing thing about receiving this letter on September 30 is that you have 7 to 10 days to get a federal tax transcript from the IRS.
There’s a probable federal government shut-down midnight tonight.
Good luck with that.
Fred Klonsky 
Fred, I trust you know that CMS really stands for “Can’t Manage S***.”
A friend that works for the federal courts was told for the up coming shut down to identify “essential” staff. He told them they were all essential. They said “You can’t do that.” He said why not? In the last 3 years he had to layoff 450 people. That what he has is “essential” staff or else they would have been laid-off already. Stupid never sleeps!
Why is the State of Illinois contracting with a firm in Indiana to check on State of Illinois Employees and Retirees? Jobs are too precious and could very well be funded in our State. Why is the State is sending tax money across to our wealthy neighbors in Indiana?
What is really going on?
Why is Illinois and CMS investigating the marital status of TRIP members by demanding proof that they live together, share bank accounts, joint credit card accounts and federal tax filing transcripts during a federal government shutdown? Who gives a rat’s behind what state the investigators are in?