IN-PERSON POP UP APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE | UPCOMING BOARD OF RETIREMENT ELECTIONS | 2022 ANNUAL PHOTO COMPETITION - WINNERS ANNOUNCED! | | | |
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Also in this edition...
- 2022 COLA Results
- May 2022 Investments Results
- May 25, 2022 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
- June 22, 2022 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
- CareCounsel Information
- RESBC Membership Information
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IN-PERSON POP UP APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE | |
SBCERS Member Services Representatives are available for in-person "Pop Up" appointments in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara:
- Friday, July 15 - Santa Barbara
- Wednesday, July 20 - Santa Maria
- Thursday, July 28 - Santa Barbara
- Tuesday, August 2 - Santa Maria
All upcoming pop up dates are updated at www.sbcers.org/pop-up.
Member Services Representatives are also available for virtual appointments on Zoom or over the phone on other dates.
SBCERS asks that members please wear a mask and practice social distancing during their in-person appointment. Masks will be available at each pop up location if needed.
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Members may choose between 20-minute or 60-minute appointments.
Example 20-Minute Topics:
- Service purchase of medical leave or extra help time
- Divorce
- Tax withholding changes
- Health reimbursement claims
- Direct deposit changes
- Insurance questions
Example 60-Minute Topics:
- Pre-retirement or retirement counseling sessions
- Death benefit claims
- Continuance onboarding
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UPCOMING BOARD OF RETIREMENT ELECTIONS
Elections will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2022 – Wednesday, October 12, 2022, to select three voting members and an alternate voting member of the Board of Retirement:
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General 2nd Member elected by active General employees (filling a vacancy from December 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023),
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General 3rd Member elected by active General employees (full 3-year term from January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025), and
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Safety 7th Member and Safety Alternate 7A Member elected by Safety employees (full 3-year terms from January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025). The receiver of the most votes is the voting member and the runner-up is the alternate.
| Members who are eligible to vote will be able to cast their ballot ONLINE or by PAPER BALLOT beginning Wednesday, September 14, 2022, through the closing of the election on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. The online voting system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during the voting period. | | | |
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SBCERS PHONE NUMBERS
Phone calls to SBCERS old phone numbers will no longer forward to the new number. Please note the new direct phone numbers below.
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Mail Phone Line: 1-877-568-2940
Fax Number: 805-695-2755
North County Member Services Representatives:
Scott Dunlap, Member Services Team Lead: 805-730-0055
Jenny Labastida, Member Services Specialist: 805-730-0727
South County Member Services Representatives:
Barbara Gordon, Member Services Specialist: 805-770-1254
Ruth Narez, Member Services Specialist: 805-730-0808
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2022 ANNUAL PHOTO COMPETITION - WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
SBCERS is excited to announce the winning entries for our first-ever annual photo competition. We are grateful for the 40+ submissions received, and are thrilled share the names of the winning 16 entries:
- Springtime at Santa Barbara Botanical Garden
- The Gentle Shore, Hendry’s Beach
- Yosemite
- Lake Cachuma and the San Rafael Mountains
- Cascade Fall in the Smokey Mountains
- Day’s End
- Santa Ynez Morning
- Solimar Sunset
- At Day’s End
- Leadbetter Point
- Dominican Republic Waterfall
- Mac with Tennis Ball
- Near Tunnel Canyon Trail
- Upper Lake Cachuma
- Tahoe Angora Ridge
- The Rock
Our next step will be to have the winning entries printed to wrapped canvas (sizes may vary from 16” x 20” to 18” x 24”) and hung throughout the SBCERS Lobby and meeting spaces. We are looking forward to inviting our membership to tour our offices and view the gallery once we have reopened in the coming months.
Here is a sneak peek at the winning entries. We are so grateful to our membership for their enthusiastic participation and contributions to our Gallery, and hope you find it a welcoming addition to your experience when you visit us!
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May 2022 Investment Results
The Total Fund returned 0.96% for the month of May 2022.
Since July 1, 2021, the portfolio has returned 3.58%, generating over $138 million for our beneficiaries.
Read the full May 2022 Investment Flash Report.
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June 22, 2022 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
The next Regular Board of Retirement meeting will be held in Shepard Hall at the Santa Maria Public Library on June 22, 2022.
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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