Volume 21 | March 26, 2019
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
1944-2019
March 2019 Newsletter
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In this Edition:
  • 2019 COLA Tracker
  • February 2019 Investment Performance
  • February 27, 2019 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
  • April 3-4, 2019 Board of Retirement Meeting Agendas available 3-28-2019.
  • CareCounsel Information
  • RESBC Membership Information
2019 COLA Tracker

For February 2019, Los Angeles Area Inflation (year over year) was 2.51%.

Click HERE   or on the chart to see 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. Click   HERE   to read the current Bureau of Labor Statistics report. 
February 2019 Investment Performance 

The Total Fund returned 1.24% for the month of February. Since the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018, the portfolio has returned 3.22%, generating over $95 million for our beneficiaries.

February 27, 2019 Board Meeting Highlights

At the Board of Retirement's February 27, 2019 meeting, the Board formed a new Operations Committee consisting of the following trustees:
  • Zandra Cholmondeley, Elected Member (Chair)
  • Laura Robinson, Elected Member
  • Ted Sten, Appointed Member
  • Harry Hagen, Permanent Ex-Officio Member (Alternate)
The next Operations Committee meeting will be held on April 3, 2019.

The Board of Retirement also approved the 2019 COLA. All Legacy General and Safety Plans will receive 3% increase, 1% COLA carry-over bank. Retired members in Plan 7 and Plan 8 will receive 2% increase, 2% carry-over bank. Plan 2 member do not receive a COLA. 

The minutes for the February 27, 2019 Regular meeting will be available online on Thursday, March 28 HERE .
April 3 4, 2019 Board Meeting Agendas Available on Thursday, March 28

The next Regular Board of Retirement meeting is on April 3, 2019 and the Board Retreat is on April 4, 2019. The agendas will be available online on Thursday, March 28.

Click HERE to access the Board Materials on our website. 
Want help with your Health Care Inquiries and 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 Provider
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, 3916 State Street, Suite 100 Santa Barbara, CA 93105, 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
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.