San Mateo County Employees' Retirement Association
San Mateo County Employees' Retirement Association
We are working rapidly to make the mobile app available as soon as possible.
If you need to make changes or review your account, please visit www.mysamcera.org.
If you need assistance or have questions, please contact us by email at samcera@samcera.org or by phone at 650-599-1234 or 800-339-0761.
The MySamCERA mobile app makes it easier for you to manage your pension account than ever before!
Existing Users: To continue using the app, you’ll need to download and install the latest version available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
New Users: The new login and registration process is simple with an account registration wizard that will have you up and running in minutes. If you already have a MySamCERA login, your current credentials will work on the app, too. Download the app today to streamline your pension management and put your retirement details at your fingertips anywhere, anytime.
We’re always looking to improve the app experience. If you have any feedback to share, just tap the (?) icon at the top of your app to send us your thoughts in seconds.
For help with the mobile app or the MySamCERA member portal, you can call our office at (650) 599-1234 or email us at samcera@samcera.org.
The nomination period for the 2022 Board of Retirement election closed on May 2, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Al David and Nicole McKay ran unopposed and were deemed elected to the Board, while Alma Salas was elected to the Retired Member Seat at the Monday, June 13, 2022 election.
Al David ran unopposed and was reelected to the General Member, Third Seat. He is a manager with the San Mateo County Information Services Department. He is also a retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. He was first elected to the Board of Retirement in 2008, and has since served three full terms and two partial terms on the Board.
Alma Salas was newly elected to the Retired Member, Eighth Seat after previously serving as Retiree Alternate. Alma was a Probation Services Manager with the San Mateo County Probation Department before her retirement in 2013. She first joined the Board in May of 2001 and served as Board Chair during the 2004-05 fiscal year. She was elected in 2013 to serve as the Retiree Alternate and was reelected in 2016 and 2019.
Nicole McKay ran unopposed for the Retiree Alternate Seat. In this role she substitutes in the absence of the Eighth Member. Prior to her retirement, Nicole worked for San Mateo County and the San Mateo Superior Court for more than 29 years, retiring as the Employee Relations Manager for San Mateo County’s Human Resources Department.
The elected Board Members will serve a 3-year term commencing July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2025. The next scheduled SamCERA Board of Retirement election will be in 2024, when the General Member Second Seat, the Safety Member Seventh Seat, and the Safety Member Alternate Seat will be up for election.
Sandie Arnott ran unopposed in the Statewide Direct Primary Election on June 7, 2022 and was reelected to serve as the San Mateo County Treasurer-Tax Collector for a four year term beginning January 1, 2023. By virtue of her office, she has served on SamCERA’s Board of Retirement since 2011, but was also active on the Retirement Board while serving as Assistant County Treasurer-Tax Collector. With this recent reelection, she will continue to serve on the Board through December 31, 2026.
At its meeting on June 14, 2022, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors reappointed Kurt Hoefer as Ninth Member of the SamCERA ard of Retirement. Kurt Hoefer is the Chief Strategy Officer at Summitry. As an investment adviser and investment banker, he has provided strategic and financial advice to institutions and individuals. This Board of Supervisors initially appointed Mr. Hoefer to the Board of Retirement in 2016, and this will be his third term.
In addition, the Board of Supervisors are currently seeking a replacement for the Fifth Seat on the Board of Retirement, which is an appointed position.
The new terms for both appointments will expire on June 30, 2025.
Update (6/28/22): At its meeting on June 28, 2022, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors appointed Kimathi Marangu to replace Ben Bowler as the Fifth Member on the SamCERA Retirement Board. Kimathi currently serves as the Global Head of Prepaid for Visa, Inc. and his financial career includes working for Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Apple and Cartera Commerce. He has served on volunteer boards of the American Red Cross, the Stanford Business School Funds and others. In addition, Kimathi holds a Bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and an MBA from Stanford Business School.
Board vacancies and election information are posted at www.samcera.org, and general information about the Board of Retirement can be found at www.samcera.org/board-retirement.
In addition, SamCERA would like to thank outgoing Board Member, Paul Hackleman for his years of service and dedication.
“Compensation limits” do not refer to restrictions on the amount of salary your employer can pay you. Rather, this term refers the maximum amount of compensation SamCERA can take into account when determining your contributions and calculating your monthly pension benefit under your retirement plan. The two primary “compensation limits” that impact SamCERA members are: 1) Limits set forth In the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) which establish the maximum amount of compensation that can be used to calculate the pension benefits for Plan 7 members; and 2) Limits set forth in the United States Internal Revenue Code regarding the maximum amount of compensation that can be used to calculate the pension benefits of any SamCERA member, regardless of their plan.
Both of these compensation limits are adjusted each year pursuant to the provisions of the above-referenced statutes. See below for the relevant 2023 compensation limits based on your plan and membership with SamCERA.
Under PEPRA, SamCERA’s “Plan 7″ members are subject to pensionable compensation limits that are set by statute.
In 2023, the annual pensionable compensation limits for PEPRA members are:
Regardless of your plan, the IRS sets a limit each year on the amount of compensation which can be used to calculate your monthly pension benefit. This limit applies to all SamCERA members hired after July 1, 1996. In 2023, the IRS annual compensation limit (for pension calculation purposes) is $330,000.
Questions? Please email samcera@samcera.org.
We’re excited to announce the new MySamCERA member portal will be available beginning September 11, 2023.
The new member portal experience will make it easier for you to manage your pension from your computer or laptop with just a few clicks of your mouse.
Computer: Log in to the member portal at www.mysamcera.org.
Mobile Phone or Tablet: Download the MySamCERA mobile app. Available for both iPhone and Android.
Active Members
Retired Members
New Users – To access MySamCERA for the first time, you’ll need your SamCERA ID. Look for the MySamCERA announcement email that will include this information.
Existing Users – Already have a MySamCERA login? You’ll use the same information to log in to the new member portal.
If you need assistance, you can always contact our office at samcera@samcera.org or (650) 599-1234.
“Compensation limits” do not refer to restrictions on the amount of salary your employer can pay you. Rather, this term refers the maximum amount of compensation SamCERA can take into account when determining your contributions and calculating your monthly pension benefit under your retirement plan. The two primary “compensation limits” that impact SamCERA members are: 1) Limits set forth In the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) which establish the maximum amount of compensation that can be used to calculate the pension benefits for Plan 7 members; and 2) Limits set forth in the United States Internal Revenue Code regarding the maximum amount of compensation that can be used to calculate the pension benefits of any SamCERA member, regardless of their plan.
Both of these compensation limits are adjusted each year pursuant to the provisions of the above-referenced statutes. See below for the relevant 2025 compensation limits based on your plan and membership with SamCERA.
Under PEPRA, SamCERA’s “Plan 7″ members are subject to pensionable compensation limits that are set by statute.
In 2025, the annual pensionable compensation limits for PEPRA members are:
Regardless of your plan, the IRS sets a limit each year on the amount of compensation which can be used to calculate your monthly pension benefit. This limit applies to all SamCERA members hired after July 1, 1996. In 2025, the IRS annual compensation limit (for pension calculation purposes) is $350,000.
Questions? Please email samcera@samcera.org.
“Compensation limits” do not refer to restrictions on the amount of salary your employer can pay you. Rather, this term refers the maximum amount of compensation SamCERA can take into account when determining your contributions and calculating your monthly pension benefit under your retirement plan. The two primary “compensation limits” that impact SamCERA members are: 1) Limits set forth In the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) which establish the maximum amount of compensation that can be used to calculate the pension benefits for Plan 7 members; and 2) Limits set forth in the United States Internal Revenue Code regarding the maximum amount of compensation that can be used to calculate the pension benefits of any SamCERA member, regardless of their plan. Both of these compensation limits are adjusted each year pursuant to the provisions of the above-referenced statutes. See below for the relevant 2024 compensation limits based on your plan and membership with SamCERA.
Under PEPRA, SamCERA’s “Plan 7″ members are subject to pensionable compensation limits that are set by statute.
In 2024, the annual pensionable compensation limits for PEPRA members are:
Regardless of your plan, the IRS sets a limit each year on the amount of compensation which can be used to calculate your monthly pension benefit. This limit applies to all SamCERA members hired after July 1, 1996. In 2024, the IRS annual compensation limit (for pension calculation purposes) is $345,000.
Questions? Please email samcera@samcera.org.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to purchase service credit that can count toward your total years of service and may increase your retirement benefit.
Purchase Request forms may be submitted for the purchase of Extra Help time, Plan 3 and Plan 5 service upgrades, certain military leave, unpaid sick leave, and parental leave. Returning SamCERA members can also make a Purchase Request for a redeposit of withdrawn funds.
SamCERA members have two separate periods of time during 2025 to make service purchases. The process starts when the member submits a Purchase Request form.
You can find a copy of the SamCERA Purchase Request form on the SamCERA forms page.
Contact SamCERA for more information about service purchases.
If you wish to use your 457 funds to purchase service credits, the 2025 deadlines to submit the Empower Plan-to-Plan Transfer form to San Mateo County Human Resources are:
For more information about an Empower Plan-to-Plan transfer, please contact benefits@smcgov.org.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to purchase service credit that can count toward your total years of service and may increase your retirement benefit.
Purchase Request forms may be submitted for the purchase of Extra Help time, Plan 3 and Plan 5 service upgrades, certain military leave, unpaid sick leave, and parental leave. Returning SamCERA members can also make a Purchase Request for a redeposit of withdrawn funds.
SamCERA members have two separate periods of time during 2024 to make service purchases. The process starts when the member submits a Purchase Request form.
You can find a copy of the SamCERA Purchase Request form on the SamCERA forms page.
Contact SamCERA for more information about service purchases.
If you wish to use your 457 funds to purchase service credits, the 2024 deadlines to submit the Empower Plan-to-Plan Transfer form to San Mateo County Human Resources are:
For more information about an Empower Plan-to-Plan transfer, please contact benefits@smcgov.org.
Due to scheduled maintenance, the following features and services will be unavailable on MySamCERA from Friday, 3/31 at 8:00 p.m. to Monday, 4/3 at 8:00 a.m.:
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this time. If you have questions please email samcera@samcera.org or call during normal business hours: 800-339-0761 (Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
