If you do not want to receive this newsletter, you can unsubscribe by clicking on the link at the bottom of this email.
In this Edition:
- Poll Workers Needed for March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election
- Board of Retirement Special Election Results for 3rd General Member
- 2019 COLA Results
- November & December 2019 Investment Results
- December 11, 2019 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
- January 22, 2020 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda
- CareCounsel Information
- RESBC Membership Information
|
|
Poll Workers Needed for March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election
|
|
The Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters office is looking for volunteers to serve as poll workers for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election.
Community participation is key to staffing the nearly 170 precinct boards for the election. Retired Santa Barbara County employees are important members of the Election Day team. As to why people should volunteer, Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor & Registrar of Voters said, “Poll workers are on the frontline of democracy; without them voting does not happen.”
Poll workers who work at a polling place receive a stipend of $180 to $240 for Election Day and to attend training. Each polling place has one or more Precinct Boards comprised of one inspector and two to four clerks. Each polling place has a coordinator and if needed, a traffic clerk. To be a poll worker, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a registered voter in the State of California or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, as specified, and who is otherwise eligible to register to vote, except for their lack of United States citizenship.
- Be able to follow written and verbal instruction.
- Be available to serve Election Day (March 3) from approximately 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until all of the closing procedures have been completed.
- Must be available to attend a mandatory training class.
|
|
Board of Retirement Special Election Results for 3rd General Member
|
|
Xiaoli Zhang-King was elected as 3rd General Elected Member of the Board of Retirement.
|
|
We estimate that the Los Angeles Area Inflation has averaged 3.06% over the 2019 calendar year.
County Employees Retirement Law provides that inflation should be rounded to the nearest half percent and limits COLA increases to 3.0% annually. As a result, a 3.0% COLA is anticipated to be considered by the Santa Barbara County Board of Retirement at its February 26, 2020 meeting. The approved COLA will take effect on May 1, 2020.
Click
HERE
or on the chart above to see monthly inflation figures compared to last year.
Want to track the COLA on your own? On the 15th of each month, the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor statistics releases CPI data for Los Angeles. Click
HERE
to read the current Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
|
|
November & December 2019 Investment Results
|
|
The Total Fund returned 0.86% for the month of November and 1.80% for the month of December, net of fees
.
For the current fiscal year through December 31, 2019, the portfolio has returned 5.08%, generating approximately $161 million for our beneficiaries.
Click
HERE
to read the full November 2019 Investment Flash Report or
HERE
to read the full December 2019 Investment Report.
|
|
December 11, 2019 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
|
|
At the Board of
Retirement's December 11, 2019 meeting, the Board received the June 30, 2019 Actuarial Valuation and T
riennial Experience Study and directed staff to make recommendations regarding the most appropriate way to transmit information and values for members who are working less than full time in a modified valuation at the January 22, 2020 Board of Retirement meeting. The Board also received quarterly Private Real Estate, Private Equity, Private Real Return, and Public Markets reports. Finally, the Board approved Wellington Management to manage SBCERS' Emerging Market Debt allocation.
Draft minutes for the December 11, 2019 regular Board of Retirement meeting can be found
HERE
.
|
|
January 22, 2020 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
|
|
The next Regular Board of Retirement meeting is on January 22, 2020 in the Coastal Room at Employees' University.
Click
HERE
to access the Board M
aterials on our agenda management website.
|
|
Want help with your Health Care Inquiries and Concerns?
Looking for a stress-free solution to your healthcare inquiries and, or concerns?CareCounsel is our health advocacy partner and is a service offered as part of your benefit package. CareCounsel works independently from your insurance carrier and is a completely confidential resource.
It’s easy, call: (888-227-3334), or email
staff@carecounsel.com
Monday through Friday 6:30 am to 5:00 pm PST. After hours, you can leave a message and they will get back to you the next business day.
A few examples of why you should contact CareCounsel:
- Education
- Making Sense of Medicare
- Benefits and Coverage Questions
- Claims and Billing Assistance
- Eligibility Status
- Quality Concerns
- Grievances and Appeals
- Assistance with Locating Healthcare Provider
|
|
RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY (RESBC)
RESBC
is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of county retirees by providing information on critical retirement issues and offering educational/cultural social opportunities. Membership in RESBC is $2.50 monthly. Dues are deducted from the member’s Santa Barbara County pension payment. County employees may join RESBC by completing the RESBC Membership Deduction Authorization form at the time of their retirement exit conference.
Retirees may join at any time by requesting a membership form from SBCERS, 3916 State Street, Suite 100 Santa Barbara, CA 93105, 1-877-568-2940 or, by clicking
HERE
and sending the completed form to
benefits@sbcers.org
.
RESBC Membership benefits include:
- 4 issues of the RESBC newsletter per year
- 4 subsidized luncheon meetings per year held at various county locations
- Opportunities to participate in subsidized day trips and special events
- Attendance at special presentations on critical issues such as health insurance, pension litigation, pension-related court decisions, etc
- Opportunity to socialize and have fun with former co-workers and friends
|
|
Have a question about an item in this newsletter?
Call a Benefit Representative at 1-877-568-2940. We are ready to help you!
|
|
Want to look at prior Newsletters?
Click
HERE
to visit the SBCERS Newsletter Archive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
