Newsletter Archive

3 Board of Retirement Seats up for Election

SamCERA will hold elections for a General member seat on the Board of Retirement, a Safety member seat, and the Safety alternate.

General Member Second Position Seat: Candidates must be active SamCERA General members. Each candidate for the general member position shall be nominated by a petition signed by not less than ten (10) active general members.

SamCERA’s New CEO

Scott Hood has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the San Mateo County Employees’ Retirement Association (SamCERA), effective Nov. 9, 2014. He succeeds David Bailey, who will retire in early 2015.

Since 2002, Hood served as SamCERA’s Assistant Executive Officer (AEO), managing the benefits, finance, information technology, communications and administrative staff of the association. Prior to becoming AEO, he served as SamCERA’s Information Technology Manager for two years.

Most Retirees to Receive 2% Cost of Living Adjustment for 2014

2014 COLA is 2% for Most Retirees and Beneficiaries

Because of a modest inflation rise in 2013, nearly all SamCERA retirees and beneficiaries will receive a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) this year. The COLA applies to eligible retirees and beneficiaries retired on or before April 1, 2014. The amount of the COLA is the same for most retirement plans, except for Plan 3, which does not provide a COLA.

All COLAs will be paid beginning with the April 2014 benefit payments.

Make the Most of Retirement with SamCERA’s Free Webinar

Make sure you’re on track for a comfortable and secure retirement with SamCERA’s free online webinar—from the comfort of your own home! Our popular classes are taught by financial experts and seats fills up fast—so sign up now! Many of our more popular offerings are fully booked in less than a week.

Inflation Triggers Cost of Living Adjustment for 2013

Because of a modest inflation rise in 2012, nearly all SamCERA retirees and beneficiaries will receive a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) this year. The COLA applies to retirees and beneficiaries retired on or before April 1, 2013, and the amount of the COLA will depend on the retirement plan. The COLA for Plans 1 and 2 is 2.5%, while the COLA for Plans 4, 5 and 6 is 2.0%. Plan 3 provisions do not provide for a COLA.

All COLAs will be paid beginning with the April 2013 benefit payments.

Take a Free Estate Planning Class Online or in Redwood Shores

SamCERA is offering two free estate planning classes in December. These popular classes are taught by financial experts and seats fill up fast—so sign up now! Many of our more popular offerings are fully booked in less than a week.

Plus, with our Free Online Class on December 10, you’ll be able to learn from the comfort of your own home.

As always, our classes are free of charge for SamCERA retirees and their spouses or partners.

COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR RETIREES AND BENEFICIARIES

Because of a modest inflation rise in 2011, nearly all SamCERA retirees and beneficiaries will receive at least a 2.0% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) this year. The COLA applies to retirees and beneficiaries retired on or before April 1, 2012, and the amount of the COLA will depend on the retirement plan. The COLA for Plan 1 and Plan 2 is 2.5%, while the Plan 4 COLA is 2.0%. Plan 3 provisions do not provide for a COLA.

All COLAs will be paid beginning with the April 2012 benefit payments