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San Mateo County Employees' Retirement Association

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Are you getting ready to retire?
There are some important things inactive members should know about retirement

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Learn more about your COLA
Get this year's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), plus find out how COLA is calculated

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Get an accurate retirement benefits estimate
Login to MySamCERA for the most accurate look at your future pension

Retirement Benefits

FAQ Category

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FAQ Category
FAQ Retirement Benefits

What is a service credit purchase?

Your service retirement benefit is based on your total years of service credit, benefit factor, age at retirement, and final compensation.  Although service credit is normally determined by your number of hours worked, in certain circumstances members may purchase service credit for service that would otherwise be uncredited.

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What retirement benefits does SamCERA offer?

SamCERA is a “defined benefit” retirement plan. Under a defined benefit plan, qualified members are eligible for a monthly benefit, also called a “pension.” 

SamCERA also offers monthly disability retirement benefits for eligible members who can no longer substantially perform their job duties. 

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What about a deferred compensation plan?

SamCERA does not offer or administer deferred compensation plans.  You need to contact your employer’s benefits division for information regarding deferred compensation plans. 

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How much money will I get when I retire?

For a regular service retirement, your benefit amount will be based upon:

  • your plan formula (i.e. Plan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,or 7);
  • your years of service;
  • your final average compensation;
  • your age at retirement.  

The most accurate way to estimate your future retirement pension benefit is to run an estimate on the MySamCERA member portal or mobile app.

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Will participating in Voluntary Time Off (VTO) affect my SamCERA benefits?

For those members who participate in VTO, your service credit will not be affected by VTO. However, because VTO will reduce your salary, it would reduce your Final Average Compensation (FAC) if you participate in VTO during the time period used to calculate your FAC — In which case your benefit will be affected.