COLA Increase for 2022

At its January 25, 2022 meeting, the Board of Retirement approved a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees and beneficiaries in accordance with each plan as shown on the chart below:

Retiree or Beneficiary’s Plan TypeDate of Retirement2022 COLA %
Plan 1 & 2 – All MembersOn or before 4/1/20223.0%
Plan 3n/an/a
Plan 4, 5, 6, & 7 – All MembersOn or before 4/1/20222.0%

The COLA applies to eligible retirees and beneficiaries retired on or before April 1, 2022, and the amount of the COLA may vary depending on the retirement plan.

The COLA for Plan 1 and Plan 2 members is 3.0%. The COLA for Plans 4, 5, 6 and 7 is 2.0%. Plan 3 does not provide a COLA.

All COLAs will be paid beginning with the April 29, 2022 benefit payment.

Current employees considering retirement: If you want to take advantage of this year’s COLA, you must retire on or before April 1. If you’re thinking about retirement, contact SamCERA as soon as possible so your paperwork can be processed in time for you to receive your first retirement benefit check on April 29.

Compensation Limits for 2022

Compensation limits do not limit the salary your employer can pay, but rather limits the amount of compensation SamCERA can take into account when determining your contributions and calculating your monthly pension benefit under your retirement plan. See below for new compensation limits in 2022 based on your plan and membership with SamCERA.

2022 Pensionable Compensation Limits for Plan 7 Members

Under the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), Plan 7 members are subject to pensionable compensation limits that are set by statute.

In 2022, the annual pensionable compensation limits for PEPRA members are:

  • General Plan 7 Members (County & Court): $134,974
  • General Plan 7 Members (Mosquito & Vector Control District): $161,969
  • Safety & Probation Plan 7 Members (County): $161,969

2022 IRS Compensation Limit

Every year, the IRS sets an annual compensation limit that applies to all SamCERA members (regardless of your plan) who were hired after July 1, 1996.

In 2022, the annual compensation limit for members hired after July 1, 1996 is $305,000.

 

Questions? Please email samcera@samcera.org.