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In this Edition:
- Meet the Team: Nicolas Nocker, CPA
- MySBCERS Online Portal Available Now
- 2020 COLA Tracker
- January 2020 Investment Results
- January 22, 2020 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
- February 26, 2020 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda
- CareCounsel Information
- RESBC Membership Information
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Meet the Team: Nicolas Nocker, CPA
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Nicolas Nocker, CPA is a Financial Systems Analyst II and a senior member of the SBCERS Finance team. He began his County career in 2002 as an Accountant-Auditor in the Internal Audit Division of the Auditor-Controller's office. Nic held several positions in the Auditor-Controller's office over the 15 years he was there, until 2017 when he joined SBCERS staff.
What are your responsibilities at SBCERS? What do you want more people to know about regarding their retirement?
Most of my duties at SBCERS involve accounting for operations, financial reporting and cash flow analytics. My most important role is to help with the coordination of monthly pension disbursements to our retirees. With over 4,600 members receiving monthly pension disbursements (and growing), there is a lot of accounting to do to ensure everyone gets paid correctly and on schedule. Cash flow forecasting analysis is also an important function to ensure that we can meet our obligation to Pensioners and deliver on the promise.
Most people don’t look into the specifics of their benefit until very close to retirement; I would encourage active employees to review their benefits or meet with a Member Services Representative early to get a good understanding of their options, and be able to take advantage of their earned benefits as early as possible. As a former investment advisor, I also encourage people to explore the County’s 457 plan as a way to supplement your SBCERS retirement benefit. You can never start planning for retirement to soon.
Where did you work before the County of Santa Barbara?
My first post high school job was in the U.S. Marine Corps. I enlisted right after high school in the Infantry. I served as a Light Armored Vehicle Crewman serving all over the world including the Far East, Combat Operations to oust Noriega from Panama in 1990, and participated in an integral part of Operation Desert Storm and the Liberation of Kuwait in 1991. Prior to joining Santa Barbara County I was a registered investment
advisor
.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My hobbies include motorcycle riding, wake boarding, and spending time with my family and friends, especially outdoors in Santa Barbara. My family’s favorite activity together is traveling; our kids are already experienced world travelers at a young age and we enjoy discovering new places together with them. I am most proud of my daughters and watching them excel at their interests which include dancing at fiesta, and being involved in our community. Raised in Santa Barbara County, I love that I am able to pursue my career here and watch my daughters grow into young adults.
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MySBCERS Online Portal Available Now
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As an Active Member, you will be able to:
- View your member information and verify your beneficiary
- Estimate your benefit
- Download and complete forms
- View and register for upcoming seminars
As a Retired Member, you will be able to:
- View your payment history and receipts
- View tax withholding and other deductions
- View your personal information
- View your tax withholding and direct deposit information
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Please note that we will not call you about your
MySBCERS
account. All communications regarding signing up for a
MySBCERS
account will be sent via our email newsletters and U.S. mail. Don’t ever hesitate to call us at 1-877-568-2940 if you want to confirm that you are communicating with an authorized SBCERS representative.
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For January 2020, Los Angeles Area Inflation (year over year) was 3.08%.
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.
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January 2020 Investment Results
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The Total Fund returned -0.34% for the month of January net of fees
.
For the current fiscal year through January 31, 2020, the portfolio has returned 5.00%, generating approximately $158 million for our beneficiaries.
Click
HERE
to read the full January 2020 Investment Flash Report.
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January 22, 2020 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
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At the Board of
Retirement's January 22, 2020 meeting,
Trustee Hagen swore in 2nd General Member Rob Adam Perry, 3rd General Member Xiaoli Zhang-King, 5th Appointed Member Michael Vidal, 7th Safety Member Frederick Tan, and 7th Alternate Safety Member Ryan Sullivan. T
he Board approved the revised June 30, 2019 Actuarial Valuation, OPEB Valuation, and T
riennial Experience Study, received the June 30, 2019 Comprehensive Annual Valuation Report, and received an investments market update as of December 31, 2019. The Board also received education about
investment portfolio rebalancing.
Draft minutes for the January 22, 2020 regular Board of Retirement meeting can be found
HERE
.
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February 26, 2020 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
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The next Regular Board of Retirement meeting is on February 26, 2020 in the Coastal Room at Employees' University.
Click
HERE
to access the Board M
aterials on our agenda management website.
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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
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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
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Have a question about an item in this newsletter?
Call a Benefit Representative at 1-877-568-2940. We are ready to help you!
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Want to look at prior Newsletters?
Click
HERE
to visit the SBCERS Newsletter Archive.
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