All SCERS’ COVID-19 updates for members are now compiled and located on this page. 

COVID-19 Paid Leave Counts Toward Pensions

Article | April 5, 2020

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is now in effect, which allows employees to take time off to address the impacts of COVID-19 using various types of new leave, including Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family and Medical Leave.

For pension purposes, SCERS intends to treat those new leave types for Legacy and PEPRA members consistently with the SCERS Final Compensation Review Policy.  Under the SCERS policy, “Leave Balance Usage” (defined broadly to include paid sick and vacation leave) is subject to retirement contributions and service credit when taken for authorized absences from work.

For more information, please see the SCERS employer memo.

Governor Relaxes Post-Retirement Employment Rules During Pandemic

Article | March 24, 2020

On March 4, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently issued Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-35-20 to ensure adequate staffing in state and local government to respond to the emergency. 

The Executive Orders suspend state laws that require a 180-day sit-out period for new retirees before returning to work and the 960-hour annual limit on work hours for retirees who are serving their former employers.

SCERS has notified participating employers that it is complying with the Executive Orders to waive the “retired annuitant” restrictions.  Please note that the rules are relaxed only for retired SCERS members who are helping a SCERS employer alleviate staffing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic response.  See letter to employers here.

Retired members who have questions about their eligibility for a waiver should contact their employer.

Message to Members on COVID-19, updated March 22, 2020

Article | March 16, 2020

During this difficult time, we are aware that many of our members may have concerns and questions about the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic to your long-term retirement plans.

The health and well-being of our members is of the utmost importance and our goal is to continue to provide the same level of services as under normal conditions. However, these processes will require some modifications.

Member Services

In keeping in line with current recommendations from state and local public health agencies, we are implementing several actions in an effort to halt the spread of the virus:

Effective Monday, March 16, SCERS’ offices are closed to the public. 

In-person benefit planning sessions have been re-scheduled to telephone sessions.

Group retirement orientations are canceled until further notice.

Contacting SCERS

SCERS remains in full customer service mode with staff working remotely.

We can be reached at (916) 874-9119 or via email at sacretire@saccounty.net.

Current Retirees

We do not anticipate any delays or interruptions with your monthly pension payments. 

Pending and New Retirement Applications

SCERS will continue to accept and process retirement applications.  Due to staffing adjustments, you may experience some delays receiving your first retirement payment.

If you are planning to retire, please mail your completed retirement application to the address below. Please remember to sign and date your application.

SCERS
980 9th Street, Suite 1900
Sacramento, CA 95814-2739

Investment Portfolio Preparedness

Our members’ retirement benefits continue to be secure. The spread of COVID-19 has impacted global markets, as well as SCERS’ portfolio, over the short term. SCERS is a long-term investor, and we think in terms of decades—not days, weeks or months. The SCERS investment portfolio is broadly diversified in order to mitigate the effect of periods of market volatility and uncertainty.