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Classes

Overview

Financial Planning Classes

SamCERA’s free financial planning classes can help you learn more about financial planning, taxes, retirement, and more. Get the skills you need to take control of your financial future. In addition, San Mateo County employees can use these classes to count toward their 20-hour training target.

SamCERA is committed to the safety and health of our members and community, and in consideration of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) we are taking precautions in our programs and services by offering online classes.

If you are registered for a financial planning class with SamCERA, you will be emailed instructions to access the webcast 1-2 days before the scheduled class. A computer and internet connection are needed to participate.

Please feel free to call us at (650) 599-1234 or email samcera@samcera.org for more information.

Step-by-Step Class Registration

County & Court Employees:

To register, follow the instructions below.

  1. Head to the LMS site via the County’s Okta single sign-on.
  2. Click on”LMS”.
  3. Browse the course offerings by selecting “Events Calendar” under the “Learning” tab or search by the course name.
  4. Click on the course you’d like to register for, and then select “Request.” LMS will then send you a confirmation email.

Need more help enrolling? Contact your department’s LMS administrator. If your administrator is unavailable, please call SamCERA at (650)599-1234, or email samcera@samcera.org.

Mosquito District and Library Employees:

Register for classes in LMS or email SamCERA, at samcera@samcera.org, to make your request. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Retirees

To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Organizing and Managing Your Finances

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Wednesday, 9/27/23

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Learn how to better organize your financial data, allowing for more accurate projections, efficient management, and a better understanding of the overall financial picture.

Course materials and instructions will be emailed to all registered members 1-2 days before the date of the class.

Highlights: 

  • Practice necessary steps to effectively organize and manage finances
  • Learn what paperwork documentation to discard, what to keep and for how long
  • Assess and modify current finances using free or subscription online app services, standalone software, or your own customized spreadsheet
  • Calculate how much to save monthly for each financial goal
  • Set up and effectively use a spending chart
  • Discuss how to save more money and accumulate more wealth
  • Understand credit scoring and how to improve your credit score
  • Determine what life changes dictate an update to your financial paperwork

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Preventing Identity Theft

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Wednesday, 10/4/23

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Participants will learn how to define identity theft, employ steps to avoid identity theft, develop awareness of specific identity theft crimes, and learn exactly what to do should they find themselves a victim of identity theft. Interactive exercises and thought-provoking questions will stimulate participants to adopt and maintain habits to improve the security of their personal finances.

Course materials and instructions will be emailed to all registered members 1-2 days before the date of the class.

Highlights: 

  • Define identity theft, who commits the crime, its victims, and its cost to consumers
  • Identify types and methods of identity theft, including “phishing,” and other scams
  • Employ simple and effective security habits to minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft
  • Compare the difference between security freezes, credit locks, and fraud alerts
  • Develop awareness about areas left open to identity thieves
  • Prepare to question those who may request private information about you
  • Design a plan and know exactly what to do and who to contact should you find yourself a victim of identity theft
  • Evaluate whether you should buy insurance or sign up for other services designed to protect against identity theft

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Building Your Wealth
(Retirement Planning for Mid-Career)

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Wednesday, 10/11/23

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Participants who attend this course will learn key concepts in building wealth, planning for retirement, and understand common investment options.

Course materials and instructions will be emailed to all registered members 1-2 days before the date of the class.

Highlights:

  • Investigate how to build wealth
  • Perform a retirement savings calculation
  • Evaluate the role of social security
  • Review the features of retirement plans
  • Analyze the basics of money market, bond, stock, mutual fund and other investments

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Financial Planning for Retirees

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Tuesday, 10/17/23

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Individuals who attend this course will be empowered to better manage retirement with detailed information about: retirement income, long term care, social security benefits, annuities and estate planning decisions.

Recommended for this who are already in retirement or planning to retire within the next three years.

Highlights: 

  • Recognize tax implications of distributions from employer retirement plans and individual retirement accounts
  • Examine options around retirement account rollovers
  • Discover Social Security benefits and eligibility
  • Review long term care policy features
  • Apply strategies to manage a retirement portfolio
  • Assess risk tolerance
  • Identify option when it comes to reverse mortgages
  • Discover the benefits of funeral pre-planning
  • Differentiate important features of five different types of annuities
  • Identify features for inclusion in senior home remodels
  • Ascertain estate planning tips for executors and beneficiaries
  • Discuss many current senior scams and how to avoid them
  • Evaluate steps you should take when choosing financial professionals

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Getting Out of Debt and Improving Your Credit Score

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Wednesday, 11/1/23

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Participants will gain valuable knowledge and skills needed get out of debt, understand the elements that make up a FICO score and improve their credit.

Course materials and instructions will be emailed to all registered members 1-2 days before the date of the class.

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Retirement Planning for All Ages

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Monday, 11/6/23

Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Working professionals at any stage in their career can get better-prepared for retirement with this class. Participants will be able to assess their current financial situation, estimate their retirement needs, and create an investment strategy for meeting those needs.

Course materials and instructions will be emailed to all registered members 1-2 days before the date of the class.

Highlights: 

  • Discover the key factors for a prosperous retirement
  • Identify the major obstacles to overcome when planning for retirement
  • Plan more effectively for the impact of inflation
  • Estimate the amount of annual income needed in retirement
  • Determine whether you are on-track financially for retirement
  • Calculate the money needed to be saved each year until retirement
  • Compare the different types of IRAs
  • Complete a personalized risk tolerance survey
  • Explain important portfolio management strategies for retirees
  • Review tax implications of distributions from employer retirement accounts
  • Uncover ten crucial retiree secrets to successful retirement planning

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Event

Understanding Social Security and Medicare

Course Information

Location: 100 Marine Parkway – Suite 160, Redwood City, CA 94065

Date: Wednesday, 11/8/23

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Learn how to sign-up and receive Medicare and Social Security benefits and how to integrate and maximize those benefits when planning for retirement.

Highlights: 

  • Learn how to check income history and estimate future Social Security benefits at ssa.gov
  • Evaluate Social Security filing strategies while considering your own unique circumstances
  • Understand how benefits are calculated and the effects on your fixed monthly payment
  • Aggregate Social Security’s cost of living adjustments and possible delayed retirement credits into your retirement planning
  • Master Medicare terminology and the different ways to receive Medicare benefits
  • Establish your projected Medicare sign-up date in line with your retirement plans

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Tax Planning Strategies

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Wednesday, 11/29/23

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Gain a better understanding of tax reduction strategies based on current federal tax law through relevant, real-life illustrations, and workbook exercises. Participants will learn the tax implications affecting retirement, investments, having a personal business outside of regular employment, and charitable giving.

Course materials and instructions will be emailed to all registered members 1-2 days before the date of the class.

Highlights: 

  • Explore how to expand your options for saving in an employer sponsored retirement plan
  • Understand the tax implications of holding company stock in a deferred compensation retirement plan
  • Analyze the unique tax saving characteristics of Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Learn the income phaseout ranges that apply to Individual Retirement Accounts and how to navigate towards increasing your Roth IRA accounts for you and your children
  • Discuss the tax advantages of some forms of annuities
  • Review how to capture losses from investments for a tax advantage including the wash sale rule
  • Uncover investments that provide tax advantages through asset location
  • Evaluate the tax advantages of education funding vehicles
  • Learn how to take advantage of highly appreciated asset donations through a Donor Advised Fund
  • Examine the energy and electric vehicle tax credits still available
  • Understand the many tax deductions available for small businesses

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Successful Retirement Living

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Tuesday, 12/5/23

Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Participants will be able to plan for a successful transition from work life into a comfortable and secure retirement.

Course materials and instructions will be emailed to all registered members 1-2 days before the date of the class.

Highlights:

  • Plan out the goals desired for retirement
  • Assess important retirement income sources
  • Discuss how Social Security benefits are calculated
  • Identify annuities and key selection criteria
  • Assess retirement income needs and expenses
  • Review how to manage a dynamic retirement portfolio
  • Prepare to make more-informed decisions about healthcare, long-term care, and aging issues

How to Register:

County Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Court, Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.

Event

Understanding Federal Income Taxes

Course Information

Location: Online Webcast

Date: Thursday, 12/14/23

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Gain a better understanding of key provisions of the current tax law through relevant, real-life illustrations, and workbook exercises. Participants will learn the tax implications affecting retirement, investments, homes, charitable giving, education, and dependents.

Course materials and instructions will be emailed to all registered members 1-2 days before the date of the class.

Highlights: 

  • Review the income and capital gains tax rates currently in effect
  • Figure taxes using both regular and AMT (alternative minimum tax) calculations
  • Navigate clearly through the estimated tax rules
  • Identify essential tax planning terms
  • Define the contribution and “catch-up” limits for your employer retirement plan
  • Distinguish between a Traditional IRA and the Roth IRA
  • Determine how investment income from stocks, bonds, and mutual funds is taxed
  • Examine the wash sale rule
  • Understand IRS home loan interest deduction rules
  • Discover what records must be kept to back-up charitable donations
  • Distinguish between tax credits and student loan interest deductions for education
  • Examine tax credits for children and dependents

How to Register:

County & Court Employees: Register on LMS via OKTA. This class can count toward your annual 20-hour training target!

Mosquito District & Library Employees: Register on LMS here. If you do not have access or experience any issues, email njeong@samcera.org with the name and date of the class that you would like to attend.

Retired Members: To register, email samcera@samcera.org. Please provide the name and date for the class(es) you would like to attend.