Photo Credit: "Mount Kenya" by Fray A. Crease | |
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SAVE THE DATE: RETIREE OPEN ENROLLMENT
BOARD OF RETIREMENT ELECTIONS UPDATE
UPCOMING OFFICE CLOSURES
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Also in this edition...
- 2025 COLA Tracker
- June and July 2025 Investment Results
- June 25, 2025 Board of Retirement Meeting Draft Minutes
- August 27, 2025 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
- CareCounsel Information
- RESBC Membership Information
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SAVE THE DATE: RETIREE OPEN ENROLLMENT | |
Retiree Open Enrollment takes place from September 24 - October 31. All change forms must be received by SBCERS by Friday, October 31. Forms and Open Enrollment books for the 2026 calendar year will be available to view online on September 30 at www.sbcers.org/openenrollment.
Do you plan on making changes to your health insurance for the 2026 calendar year? Prepare by...
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Confirming you have a mySBCERS account. Go to mysbcers.org to register, if you haven’t already. You can securely submit change forms electronically through your account via the “Message Center”.
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Attending an in-person or virtual health fair. Speak directly with representatives from health plan providers and SBCERS.
- September 24, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Open Enrollment Health Fair in Santa Maria
- September 26, 9:00 am - 11:00 am Open Enrollment Health Fair in Goleta
- The virtual health fair will be held October 20 - October 26
Questions? Email info@sbcers.org or call 1-877-568-2940.
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BOARD OF RETIREMENT ELECTIONS UPDATE | |
Board of Retirement Elections begin on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 and end Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
- The candidate receiving the most votes in the regular General 2nd Member election will serve a three-year term from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
- The candidate receiving the most votes in the special General 3rd member election will serve the remaining term of the vacancy from November 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026.
- The candidate receiving the most votes in the Safety 8th member election will be declared the voting member. The runner-up in a different safety category (i.e., law enforcement or fire) will be declared the alternate. Both seats will serve three-year terms from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
Only active General members are eligible to vote in the General member elections. Only active Safety members are eligible vote in the Safety election.
If you have not already, please enroll in mySBCERS in order to receive your ballot via email this September. This is the fastest, most efficient way to ensure your vote is counted.
- Go to https://mysbcers.org/Enroll.aspx to request a PIN.
- Once you have your PIN, finish enrollment. Please make sure to use your personal email address, not your work email.
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SBCERS will be closed on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. | | | | |
June and July 2025 Investment Results
For the month of June, the Total Fund returned 2.14% and for the Month of July, the Total Fund returned 0.23%. Since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2025, the Fund has returned 0.23% generating over $10 million for SBCERS retirees and beneficiaries.
Read the June 2025 Investment Report
and July 2025 Investment Report.
| | WANT HELP WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE INQUIRIES & 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 Providers
| | 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, 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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