Photo Credit: "Upper Lake Cachuma" by Robert Almy, SBCERS Retired Member | |
YOUR OPINION IS NEEDED! SBCERS OPEN HOUSE | MEET YOUR NEW DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN ADVISOR FROM EMPOWER RETIREMENT | IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL MEMBER SERVICES APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE | | | |
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Also in this edition...
- 2023 COLA Tracker
- February 2023 Investments Results
- February 22, 2023 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
- March 22, 2023 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
- CareCounsel Information
- RESBC Membership Information
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YOUR OPINION IS NEEDED! SBCERS OPEN HOUSE
We want your opinion! SBCERS staff is planning an Open House event in the late Spring/early Summer to welcome members to our new office space in Goleta.
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| Which day of the week would you prefer to attend an Open House at the new SBCERS office? | | |
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MEET YOUR NEW DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN ADVISOR FROM EMPOWER RETIREMENT | |
Meet your dedicated and local retirement plan advisor for your County of Santa Barbara Deferred Compensation Plan, CJ Burlingame.
CJ is available to provide you one-on-one counseling with personalized account services, such as:
- Enrollment
- Contributions
- Retirement readiness
- Investment choices
- Account review
- Comparison of retirement plans
- Rollovers - Consider all your options, their features, and fees before moving money between accounts.
Your local retirement plan advisor is a salaried professional with one goal: to help prepare you for retirement. To set up a one-on-one appointment with CJ, click here to view his availability and sign up for a time slot that is most convenient for you.
CJ Burlingame, CPRC
Retirement Plan Advisor
Email: cj.burlingame@empower.com
Mobile: 657-402-0388
Employees of Santa Barbara County can find out more about the County’s Deferred Compensation Plan by visiting www.empower-retirement.com directly.
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IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL MEMBER SERVICES APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE | |
SBCERS Member Services Representatives are available for in-person and virtual meetings.
Locations:
- SBCERS Goleta Office: 130 Robin Hill Road, Suite 100, Goleta, CA 93117
- SBCERS Santa Maria Office: 2236 South Broadway, Suite D, Santa Maria, CA 93454
- Zoom or Phone
Members may choose between 20-minute or 60-minute appointments.
Some examples of 20-minute appointment topics for active members include discussing service purchase of medical leave or extra help time, or divorce. For retired members, a 20-minute appointment may be useful to help with tax withholding changes, Health Reimbursement Claims, direct deposit changes, or insurance questions.
60-minute appointments for active members include pre-retirement or retirement counseling sessions. Retired members should book a 60-minute appointment for topics such as death benefit claims or continuance onboarding.
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February 2023 Investment Results
The Total Fund returned -1.54% for the month of February 2023. Since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2022, the Fund has returned 2.84% generating over $108 million for SBCERS retirees and beneficiaries.
Read the full February 2023 Investment Flash Report.
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February 22, 2023 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
At the February 22, 2023 Board of Retirement meeting, Board Chair Vidal appointed Trustees Lavagnino, Tan, Vidal, and Daly to the Operations Committee. The Board received quarterly reports from Public Markets, Private Real Estate, Private Real Returns, and Private Equity consultants. The Board also received annual strategic plans for the Private Real Return and Private Equity portfolios from Hamilton Lane. The Board adopted a 3% COLA rate and COLA bank increases (4.5% and 5.5%, depending on plan) as set forth in Cheiron’s Cost-of-Living Adjustment report. Plan 2 members do not receive a COLA. The Board also authorized the CEO to enter into a written contract with Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corporation to perform independent auditing services for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The Board also voted to create an investments ad hoc committee in order to conduct an onsite due diligence visit to its General Investment Consultants office.
Click here to read the draft February 22, 2023 Minutes.
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March 22, 2023 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
The next Regular Board of Retirement meeting will be held in the SBCERS Board Room located at 130 Robin Hill Road, Goleta, CA 93117.
Members of the public who would like to make a public comment may do so via Zoom or in-person at the meeting location. Please email clerkoftheboard@sbcers.org for instructions. The Board of Retirement meeting will also be livestreamed via YouTube at https://www.sbcers.org/board-of-retirement/watch-live/.
Click HERE to access agendas and board materials on our agenda management website.
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WANT HELP WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE INQUIRIES & CONCERNS? | |
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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 Providers
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RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY (RESBC) | |
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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, 130 Robin Hill Road, Suite 100, Goleta, CA 93117, 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!
Want to look at prior newsletters?
Click HERE to visit the SBCERS Newsletter Archive.
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