SamCERA places all members in the applicable plan based on date of hire and General or Safety classification. For information regarding your plan placement and specific plan details, contact SamCERA to receive your plan brochure.

Plan Eligibility Overview

Plans 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are open to members depending on their date of entry. Plan 3 is now closed to all new hires.

Plan 1: Employees hired on or before July 6, 1980.

Plan 2: Employees hired after July 6, 1980, but on or before July 12, 1997.

Plan 3: General members who are County employees hired on or before December 22, 2012, could have elected to participate in Plan 3, which is a non-contributory plan.  Plan 3 is now closed. After five years of service, Plan 3 members can elect membership under the applicable contributory plan. Members currently working in a contributory plan with Plan 3 service may purchase an upgrade of their Plan 3 service.

Plan 4: Employees hired after July 12, 1997, and before August 7, 2011 (General members, except Plan 5 transfers; see below); before July 10, 2012 (Probation members); and before January 8, 2012 (Safety members).

Plan 5: General members hired on or after August 7, 2011, and Deputy Sheriffs hired on or after January 8, 2012.  Probation members hired on or after July 10, 2011, and Safety members (except Deputy Sheriffs) hired on or after January 8, 2012, may elect this Plan. Members must be first hired before January 1, 2013, to be eligible to elect this Plan.  After 10 years of service, General Plan 5 members can elect to transfer to Plan 4 and must pay the total actuarial equivalent cost of the increase in past service benefits at the date of transfer. Members who are placed in Plan 7 are not eligible for Plan 5.

Plan 6: Probation members hired on or after July 10, 2011, and Safety members (except Deputy Sheriffs) hired on or after January 8, 2012, may elect this Plan. Members must be first hired before January 1, 2013, to be eligible to elect this Plan. Members who are placed in Plan 7 are not eligible for Plan 6.

Plan 7: Employees first hired on or after January 1, 2013, that are “new members” under the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).