Photo Credit: "Winter in Maine" by Jim Pfleging | |
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TRUSTEE VIDAL RE-APPOINTED TO BOARD OF RETIREMENT
PLANNING TO RETIRE? SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT 7 DAYS PRIOR TO DESIRED MEETING DATE
PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOP WEBINAR FOR ACTIVE & DEFERRED MEMBERS
OFFICE CLOSURE DATES
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Also in this edition...
- 2025 COLA Tracker
- October 2025 Investment Results
- October 22, 2025 Board of Retirement Meeting Draft Minutes
- December 10, 2025 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
- CareCounsel Information
- RESBC Membership Information
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TRUSTEE VIDAL RE-APPOINTED TO BOARD OF RETIREMENT | |
The Board of Supervisors re-appointed Trustee Michael Vidal to serve the Board of Retirement for an additional three-year term ending December 31, 2028. Trustee Vidal has served as the Appointed Sixth Member of the Board of Retirement since January 2016.
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PLANNING TO RETIRE? SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT 7 DAYS PRIOR TO DESIRED MEETING DATE | |
To ensure we can accurately calculate your benefit and prepare your options, appointments must be scheduled at least 7 days in advance of meeting. Calculating your retirement benefit options is a detailed process that requires thorough preparation. We need time to:
- Review your complete earnings and service credit history
- Verify employment records from reciprocal agencies (if applicable)
- Research marriage dissolutions or divorce waivers
- Identify potential service buyback opportunities (extra-help or medical leave time)
- Ensure all documentation is accurate and complete
What Happens at Your Retirement Appointment
Meetings with SBCERS are confidential. Your employer will be notified only after you have signed your retirement contract. During your retirement counseling session, we'll conduct a comprehensive review that includes:
- Historical earnings and timesheet data verification
- Service credit calculations
- Beneficiary designation review
- Discussion of payment options
- Review of all factors affecting your final benefit amount
Timeline for April 1 Retirement for the Cost-of-Living Adjustment
If you want to retire by April 1 to receive the cost-of-living increase in the May 1 benefit payment, please schedule your retirement counseling appointment by February 1.
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PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOP WEBINAR FOR ACTIVE & DEFERRED MEMBERS | SBCERS is hosting an online Pre-Retirement Workshop Webinar for Active and Deferred Members on Wednesday, December 17 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. The workshop will discuss topics such as reviewing the retirement process, best practices for retirement readiness, understanding the COLA, and more. | |
If you are unable to attend this workshop, SBCERS will be hosting future pre-retirement workshops. Upcoming workshop dates are listed below:
- Wednesday, January 21st at 12:00 PM in the Goleta SBCERS Office
- Thursday, January 22nd at 12:00 PM in the Santa Maria Board of Supervisors Hearing Room
- Thursday, February 26th at 12:00 PM hosted virtually
Questions? Email info@sbcers.org or call 1-877-568-2940.
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SBCERS offices will be closed on the following dates:
- Thursday, December 11th for Staff Development.
- Wednesday, December 24th at 12:00 p.m. through Friday, January 2nd for the Family Friendly Office Closure. The office will re-open on Monday, January 5 at 8:00 a.m.
During the Family Friendly Closure, staff are available virtually. Contact SBCERS by emailing info@sbcers.org or calling 1-877-568-2940.
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2025 COLA Tracker
Due to the government shutdown, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics could not collect October 2025 reference period survey data and is unable to retroactively collect these data. BLS will publish the November 2025 CPI news release on December 18, 2025. This news release and database update will not include 1-month percent changes for November 2025 where the October 2025 data are missing.
For September 2025, Los Angeles Area Inflation (year over year) was 3.51%. The average monthly increase for 2025-to-date is 3.20%.
View 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.
Read the current Bureau of Labor Statistics 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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