A retired member is someone who has retired and is earning their lifetime SBCERA service or disability retirement benefit. A benefit recipient is someone who is receiving a monthly continuance or allowance from a deceased active or retired member of SBCERA. Below is a summary of information you should keep in mind. For information about the steps to take for various life events, take a look at SBCERAs’ life events checklist.

Benefit Payments

Retirees and beneficiaries are paid once a month on the last business day of the month.

You may not receive your first benefit payment for one to two months after retirement. However, your first benefit payment will be prorated based on your effective date of retirement.

Current Benefit Payment Dates

Direct Deposit

At retirement, you are required to sign up for direct deposit of your benefit payments. 

You can update your direct deposit information for both primary and secondary accounts in mySBCERA, your online member portal. To update your direct deposit information, follow the instructions in the mySBCERA Quick Reference Guide - Retiree. 

Your Benefit Payment History

Your benefit history and copies of your paystubs are always available in your online member portal. Accessing your Benefit Payment History in mySBCERA is easy.

1. Log into your mySBCERA account.
2. Click on the ‘Benefit Payment History’ tab on the left-side menu.
3. View information for each payment, beginning with your current benefit amount listed. You can adjust the year using the ‘Selected Year’ dropdown.

Never accessed mySBCERA before? Follow the instructions on our mySBCERA Quick Reference Guide - Retiree to learn how to sign up and get started.

Update Your Contact Information

It is vital that your address is up-to-date at all times. SBCERA sends you various types of correspondence related to your retirement account and it’s important we are able to reach you.

You can update your address, phone number, and email in mySBCERA.

Address

1. Go to the Contact Information option in the menu
2. Add a new address or update an existing address
3. Click Update

Phone

1. Go to the Contact Information option in the menu
2. Add or update your phone number
3. Click Update

Email

1. Go to Account Settings in the upper right corner
2. Add a new email address or update an existing one
3. Click Update

My Tax Withholding

Your benefit payments are considered taxable income. SBCERA can withhold Federal and State of California income taxes from your SBCERA benefit. 

You can update your tax withholding elections at any time in mySBCERA, your online member portal. Follow the instructions in the mySBCERA Quick Reference Guide - Retiree to learn how to do so.

Consult your tax professional or the IRS with any tax questions or concerns. SBCERA cannot provide tax advice.

Returning to Work

If you are considering returning to work for an SBCERA employer, contact SBCERA to confirm what impact, if any, this may have on your retirement benefit. If you are returning to work for a non-SBCERA employer, your retirement benefit will continue as is.

Retiree Death Benefits

At retirement, members are required to select a retirement benefit option and beneficiary. This selection determines the death benefits your beneficiary may be eligible for upon your death. If your beneficiary dies or you wish to update your beneficiary, you must complete a Beneficiary Designation form.  Remember, if you designated a beneficiary for a continuance, in most instances you cannot change your beneficiary. However, you may update your beneficiary for other death benefit options available, such as the $1,000 burial allowance. Please contact SBCERA to find out more.

Your Beneficiaries

Upon your death, your survivors are encouraged to contact SBCERA. They will be required to provide a certified death certificate. For more information, read our Beneficiary Checklist.