Members
New to SBCERA?
Welcome to the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA). We look forward to serving you during your membership with SBCERA.
We hope you find this information helpful. As always, if you have additional questions, feel free to contact us at memberservices@SBCERA.org or (909) 885-7980. We’re here for you and wish you the best of luck in your journey to retirement!
Presentation
New Member Orientation 2023 - Presentation
New Member Orientation 2023 - Packet
Your Contributions
Contributions to the SBCERA pension fund are made by you and your employer. These contributions are held in trust by SBCERA and invested for the long-term.
Beneficiary Resources
A beneficiary is the person the member has named in writing to receive such benefits provided by SBCERA upon the member’s death. The Primary Beneficiary is the first-named person or persons who would receive these benefits from SBCERA. The Alternate Beneficiary is the person or persons who would receive these benefits from SBCERA if there are no living primary beneficiaries on the date of the member’s death.
Planning Your Service Retirement
Choosing to retire is a big decision. Knowing when you are “ready” to retire versus when you “can” retire are often two different decisions. You may be ready to retire, but unsure whether it’s the right time or if you can afford it. Retirement requires careful consideration and planning. Below are some things you should consider when deciding to retire.
Life Events
Throughout your time as an active member of SBCERA use the list below to assist you in determining what steps to take should any of the following life events occur.
Death Benefits
If you die before you retire, there are various death benefit options available for your beneficiary or beneficiaries based on the type of beneficiary you have and how many years of service credit you have.
Disability Retirement
If you become permanently incapacitated because of employment with an SBCERA employer, you may be eligible for a Disability Retirement. Permanently incapacitated means you are physically or mentally incapacitated from performing the usual duties of your job. It can also be described as the substantial inability to perform your usual job duties, although, it is not necessary for you to be physically or mentally incapable for performing each and every duty or task that might arise within your job classification.
Other Retirement Options & Considerations
Your Retirement Benefit Payment
Your SBCERA retirement benefit will be paid once a month on the last business day of the month. You may not receive your first benefit payment for one to two months after your retirement. However, your first benefit payment will be prorated based on your effective date of retirement.
At retirement, you will be required to sign up for direct deposit and designate where your benefit payment should be deposited. This information can be updated at any time during retirement.
Deferred Members
Upon termination of employment with a participating SBCERA employer, you can choose to “defer” your retirement and go on deferred membership status if: