The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund and fund investors will be held February 11 and 12 at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California.
This has been confirmed by members of the Fono who will be attending the meeting where fund advisors will present reports on the fund investments.
Members of the Board of Trustees are Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Freuan, Toloai Ho Ching, Loa Tuimavave Laupola, Tony Togiai, Faoa Aitofele Sunia and Dr Jean Hollister-Mareko. Fuiavailili Keniseli Lafaele is still a member of the Board however he has effectively been excluded from board meetings per a resolution that was approved by the board.
Members of the Senate Retirement Committee confirmed to attend the meeting are Senators Sii Noaese, Misaalefua Hudson and Tuanaitau Malaki who is already off island.
Committee Chairman Senator Tuialuuluu Vaimili and Vice Chairman Senator Togiola Tulafono are not attending. Another committee member Senator Olo Uluao Letuli is off island but it’s not known if he would make the meeting. The Senate President is attending as the chairman of the Retirement Fund Board of Trustees, as is the Senate Legal Counsel Mitzie Jessop Taase, who is counsel to the Board.
According to information from the Senate President’s Office airfares and per diems for senators attending the meeting are being paid by the Senate. And the Retirement Fund Office will provide stipends for senators who attend. Usually the Retirement Fund pays for all expenses for the trip however the decision to have the Senate cover costs is because ASG owes unpaid employer contributions of about $18.5 million to the Fund.
House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale will not be attending the Retirement Fund meeting but will be represented by Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu. Speaker Savali told KHJ News that 10 of the 12 members of the House Retirement Committee will attend the meeting. Committee members who wont be attending are Rep Vailoata Amituanai and Faimealelei Anthony Allen. The members attending are Committee Chair Trude Ledoux-Sunia, Vice Chairman Sauasetoa Ho Ching, Manumaua Wayne Wilson, Ape Mike Asifoa, Tapai Benjamin Vaivao, Shaun Va’a, Luaitaua Gene Pan, Avagafono Vaimaga Maiava, Tiaoalii Fauagiga Sai and Manavaalofa Tutuila Manase. With two committee members not able to attend the Speaker said Rep Dr Vaasa Simanu has been added to the list of attendees. The Speaker confirmed that all travel expenses and per diem are paid by the House.
