Month: June 2025

🔒 Protect Your SamCERA Retirement Account: Stay Safe from Scams and Fraud

Posted on by Natasha Jeong

At SamCERA, your retirement security is our top priority. As online scams and phishing attempts become more sophisticated, it’s important to stay vigilant and know how to protect your account.

Be on the lookout for:

  • Suspicious emails, texts, or messages that ask for personal information
  • Urgent requests to click on unfamiliar links or to verify your identity
  • Promises of benefits or account help in exchange for payment or sensitive details

Remember:

  • SamCERA will never ask you for your MySamCERA login password or your MFA verification code.
  • Never click on links or respond to messages if you’re unsure about the source.
  • If something doesn’t feel right, don’t engage. Contact us directly using the official contact information on our website.

Protect your account by:

  • Using a strong, unique password and update it regularly
  • Bookmarking our official site to avoid fake or spoofed versions
  • Staying informed about common scam tactics

Not sure if a message is real?

We’re here to help. Contact SamCERA directly to verify any communication from us that you’re unsure about before taking any action. By staying alert and cautious, you can help keep your retirement account secure. 

🛡️What we’re doing to help protect you:

To enhance the security of your MySamCERA account, we’ve implemented the following security measures:

  • Stronger password requirements to ensure your account is better protected against unauthorized access
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) was recently enabled to add an extra layer of protection whenever you log in to your account

These improvements are part of our ongoing commitment to keeping your information safe. If you ever need assistance or have questions, our team is here to help!

Contact Us

Email: samcera@samcera.org
Phone: 650-599-1234 or 800-339-0761

Tip: If you believe that you’ve been the victim of phishing or other form of cyber fraud, report it to your local law enforcement agency immediately and contact the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

🎉 SAMCERA Has a New Website – And More Secure Member Portal Login

Posted on by Natasha Jeong
laptop open on desk with coffee cup, writing supplies and small plant on left side.

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new website and a more secure login process for the MySamCERA member portal.

🌐 Here’s what’s new:

  • Our new URL and website are now live at www.samcera.gov
  • The MySamCERA portal URL has changed to www.mysamcera.gov
  • We’ve added Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for your account security on MySamCERA
  • Stronger password requirements for MySamCERA are now in place. If you’re resetting your password or creating a new account, your password will need to be between 16-64 characters and include at least 1 numeric character, 1 uppercase letter, and 1 lowercase letter

🔐 About MFA

When logging into the MySamCERA member portal or mobile app, you’ll now take a few quick steps to verify your identity:

  1. Enter your username and password
  2. Choose to receive a verification code via text or phone call
  3. Enter the code to finish logging in

✨ What’s Improved?

  • A modernized, mobile-friendly website with easier navigation
  • Verified .gov domains for trusted access
  • Stronger login security to access your retirement information

🔖 Don’t forget: Update your bookmarks to samcera.gov and mysamcera.gov!

Have feedback about the new website?

We’re always looking to improve your experience. Let us know how we’re doing by filling out our feedback form. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the SamCERA website changing?

The SamCERA URL is being updated to align with a broader effort to strengthen trust and security in government websites. The new .gov address confirms you’re accessing a verified, official government resource. Our website is being updated to improve user experience, enhance security, and ensure the website is mobile-friendly. The new site will offer a more modern design, easier navigation, and quicker access to important information about your pension benefits and account.

Will the website and member portal URLs change?

Yes, both the SamCERA website and member portal URL are changing. You will be automatically redirected to the new website if you try to visit the old URL, but we recommend updating any bookmarks or saved links to the new .gov URL to avoid confusion.

New Member Portal URL: www.mysamcera.gov

New Website URL: www.samcera.gov

Will the old website still work?

The old website (www.samcera.org) will be available for a limited time – beginning on July 7, 2025 you will be redirected to the new site (www.samcera.gov.) However, we recommend updating your bookmarks to the new samcera.gov URL as soon as possible to ensure you are using the most current version of the website.

Do I need to create a new account for MySamCERA?

No, you do not need to create a new account. Your current login credentials and account details will remain the same. Simply use the same username and password to access your member portal on the new website.

Why does the website look different now?

The website has been redesigned to improve your experience, with easier navigation, a mobile-friendly layout, and a more modern look. You’ll now find it easier to access important pension information, forms, and resources.

I had saved a bookmark to a page on the old website. Where do I find it now?

The structure of the website has been streamlined to make navigation easier, but most information from the old website is still available in the new design. You can use the new search function to find specific pages or navigate through the updated menu and will need to bookmark the new page since it will have a different URL.

I’m experiencing slower load times on the new website. Is this normal?

During the initial launch period, there may be some temporary delays or slower load times due to increased traffic. We are actively working to ensure optimal performance. Once the site has stabilized, load times should return to normal.

Will the information I need still be available on the new website?

Yes! All of the important content, such as retirement benefit information, forms, and resources, will still be available on the new website. We’ve reorganized some sections to make it easier for you to find what you need. If you have trouble locating specific content, try using the website’s search function or check the FAQs for help.

Are there any changes to the forms I use for retirement or other requests?

No, the forms you use for retirement, beneficiary changes, and other requests will remain the same. To ensure you’re using the correct form, be sure to access them directly from the new website. 

Where can I find help if I have more questions or need assistance?

You can find answers to additional questions by reaching out to SamCERA’s Retirement Benefits team:

Please note that although our official website URL is changing, email should still be sent to and our email messages will continue to come from @samcera.org for the time being.

Will the new website work with all browsers?

The new website is compatible with most modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you’re experiencing issues with a specific browser, try updating to the latest version or switching to a different browser.

Why are there two web addresses for the MySamCERA member portal, and which one should I use?

Both mysamcera.org and mysamcera.gov currently work to access the member portal. However, we encourage you to start using mysamcera.gov moving forward. The .gov domain is reserved exclusively for verified government agencies, which adds an extra layer of trust and security.

Eventually, mysamcera.gov will become our primary URL for the member portal, but for now, either link will direct you to the same secure portal.

How do I update my bookmark to use mysamcera.gov instead of mysamcera.org?

When adding or editing a bookmark in your browser, you may have the option to change the web address before saving it. If your current bookmark uses mysamcera.org, you can simply edit the URL and replace .org with .gov (so it reads mysamcera.gov).

Once mysamcera.gov becomes the permanent URL for the member portal, no updates will be needed going forward to your bookmark.

SamCERA Announces Certification of 2025 Board of Retirement Election Results

Posted on by Natasha Jeong

We are pleased to announce that the San Mateo County Employees’ Retirement Association (SamCERA) Board election results have been officially certified. Alma Salas has been reelected to the Retiree Member (Eighth Member) seat, and Al David has been elected to serve as the Retiree Alternate Member. The elected Board Members will serve a 3-year term commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028.

Alma Salas was a Probation Services Manager with the San Mateo County Probation Department before her retirement in May 2013. She first joined the Board of Retirement in May 2001 and served as Board Chair during the 2004–05 fiscal year. In 2013, she was elected to serve as the Retiree Alternate and was reelected in 2016 and 2019. Alma was elected to serve as the Eighth Member in June 2022 and is currently serving as Board Chair.

Al David, newly elected as the Retiree Alternate Member, was a manager with the San Mateo County Information Services Department and is also a retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. He retired from County service in 2024. Al was first elected to the Board of Retirement in 2008 as a General Member and has since served three full terms and two partial terms.

Please join us in congratulating Alma Salas and Al David on their election to the SamCERA Board of Retirement.

The next scheduled SamCERA Board of Retirement election will be in 2027, when the General Member Second Seat, the Safety Member Seventh Seat, and the Safety Member Alternate Seat will be up for election.

Learn About Multi-Factor Authentication for MySamCERA

Posted on by Natasha Jeong

As part of our ongoing commitment to keep our member’s information secure, we are introducing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on the MySamCERA member portal and mobile app.

What is MFA?

MFA is a secure login process that requires you to verify your identity using two steps instead of just a password. This extra layer of protection makes it much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access your account – even if your password has been stolen or guessed.

How does it work?

Beginning June 2, 2025, when you log in to the member portal:

  1. Enter your username and password as usual.
  2. You then choose how to receive the 6-digit verification code – either by text message or an automated phone call.
  3. Enter the code to complete your login and access your MySamCERA account.

Note: Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile service provider.

Am I required to use MFA?

Yes, you must use MFA to access your MySamCERA account. This added layer of security makes your account more secure than using a password alone.

What if I do not receive a verification code?

Only members who have a registered account on MySamCERA will receive a verification code. If you have not set up your account, yet, follow these instructions:

If you have an existing account and have not received your verification code, please contact us at 650-599-1234.

How do I update my phone number?

Active members can update their phone number in Workday. This change takes one day to go into effect.

Retired and Inactive members can submit a Change of Address form to update their phone number. 

Board of Retirement Investment Information – June 2025

Posted on by Lili Dames

At its meeting on June 3, 2025, the Board of Retirement approved a $70 million commitment to Farallon Capital Institutional Partners, L.P. as part of SamCERA’s absolute return portfolio within the Diversifying category.

The Board also approved a $35 million commitment to RCG Ventures Fund VIII, L.P., as part of SamCERA’s value-add portfolio within Real Estate under the Inflation Hedge category, and a $30 million re-up commitment to Great Hill Partners IX, L.P., as part of SamCERA’s buyout/venture capital portfolio within Private Equity under the Growth category.

No further board action was taken related to SamCERA’s investment commitments or hires.

More information on SamCERA’s commitments may be available in SamCERA’s Board of Retirement meeting minutes. Minutes for a given Board meeting are usually approved at the next regular meeting and will be posted shortly thereafter.