Highlights

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR GENERAL MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF RETIREMENT

OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS OCTOBER 31

BOOK A VIRTUAL SBCERS APPOINTMENT ONLINE

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR GENERAL MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF RETIREMENT

On October 1, 2021, a General Trustee position on the Board of Retirement of the Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System became vacant. In accordance with the Board of Retirement elections policy, a special election will be held Wednesday, December 8, 2021 – Monday, January 10, 2022 to select a General Member to fill the vacancy of the 2nd Member of the Board of Retirement. The successful candidate will serve the remaining term of the 2nd General Member beginning January 26, 2022 and ending December 31, 2022.

General member candidates must be an Active Member of the Retirement System and may not be a Safety or Retired member. All candidates must submit a Petition of Nomination/Declaration of Candidacy.

The petition shall include the nominee’s name, certification of willingness to serve and the nomination by at least 15 but not more than 25 members of the nominee’s membership classification on a nominating petition. Nominations may be submitted with wet or electronic signatures of nominating members. The petitions and ballot statements must be returned to any SBCERS office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 1, 2021.



Petitions are available online at www.sbcers.org/board-elections/.

Please contact the [email protected] for questions or concerns.

OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS OCTOBER 31

2022 Open Enrollment is almost over! Here is the important information for you to know:

Are rates increasing?

• Blue Shield Medical Plans will decrease 2.4%.
• Kaiser Plan premiums will increase 2.6%. Kaiser Senior Advantage KPSA will decrease 4%.
• United Healthcare will decrease 2%.
• Dental HMO Plan rates and Dental PPO Plan rates will remain the same.
• Vision rates remain the same.
• CareCounsel rates remain the same.
• The prescription drug program for early retirees enrolled in Blue Shield medical plans, Rx n’ Go, continues to be offered.
• The County has added a new program, Medicare Solutions, a white glove, concierge Medicare assistance service with agents licensed in all 50 states. There is no charge for Medicare Solutions services.

What do I do if I need to make changes to my coverage?

1. Review plan benefits, providers and rates.
2. Obtain and complete forms.
3. Sign and submit forms by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2021. Forms are available at https://www.sbcers.org/retired-members/2022-open-enrollment/.

What if I am not making any changes for 2022?

SBCERS will automatically continue your current coverage into 2022 at the new rates. You do not have to submit any forms or contact SBCERS, and your benefits will remain the same.

BOOK A VIRTUAL SBCERS APPOINTMENT ONLINE

Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, all SBCERS counselling appointments will be held virtually, either over the phone or on Zoom. Members may schedule their own appointment online by clicking the button below. All upcoming dates are updated at www.sbcers.org/pop-up.

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