Photo Credit: "Busy Bee" by Ron Husted | |
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2026 BENEFIT PAY SCHEDULE
TRUSTEE LAVAGNINO RE-APPOINTED TO BOARD OF RETIREMENT
ONLINE PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOP FOR ACTIVE & DEFERRED MEMBERS
OFFICE CLOSURE
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Also in this edition...
- 2025 COLA Tracker
- November and December 2025 Investment Results
- December 10, 2025 Board of Retirement Meeting Draft Minutes
- January 28, 2025 Board of Retirement Meeting Agenda Available
- CareCounsel Information
- RESBC Membership Information
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2026 BENEFIT PAY SCHEDULE | Retiree benefits are paid at the beginning of the month for the previous month's benefits. For tax reasons, the December benefit is dated the first business day of the new year. Checks will be delivered to the post office on the mailing day. Direct deposits will be sent to the bank with the settlement date provided below, please contact your financial institution to see when funds are placed in your account. | To ensure accurate deposits, please turn in any direct deposit change forms by the 15th of each month. | | | |
TRUSTEE LAVAGNINO RE-APPOINTED TO BOARD OF RETIREMENT | |
At the January 13, 2026 Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Lavagnino was re-appointed to the Board of Retirement for the remainder of his term ending December 31, 2026. Trustee Lavagnino has served as the Appointed 6th Member of the Board of Retirement since January 2019.
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ONLINE PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOP FOR ACTIVE & DEFERRED MEMBERS | |
SBCERS is hosting an online Pre-Retirement Workshop for Active and Deferred Members on Thursday, February 26 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.
Whether you’re just beginning to learn about your SBCERS retirement benefits or planning to retire in the near future, this session will help you feel confident and prepared. The workshop will discuss topics such as reviewing the retirement process, best practices for retirement readiness, understanding the COLA, and more.
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SBCERS offices will be closed on Monday, February 16th in observance of President's Day. For general assistance, please email benefits@sbcers.org or leave a voicemail at 877-568-2940 and an employee will return your request as soon as possible. | | | | |
2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Tracker
SBCERS estimates the Los Angeles Area Inflation has averaged 3.16% over calendar year 2025.
County Employees Retirement Law provides that inflation should be rounded to the nearest half percent. As a result, a 3.0% COLA is anticipated to be considered by the Santa Barbara County Board of Retirement at its February 25, 2026 meeting. The approved COLA will take effect on May 1, 2026.
Note that all Safety Plan members, General Plan 5 members, and APCD Plan 1 & 2 members have a 3% COLA cap. General Plan 7 & 8 members and APCD Plan 8 members have a 2% COLA cap with the remainder "banked," which can be applied in future years when the approved COLA level is below the plan's cap. General Plan 2 members do not receive a COLA.
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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