SamCERA has updated its contribution rates for members and employers.
Category: Active Members
2015-16 Contribution Rates
Click here to view SamCERA’s 2015-16 contribution rates for members and employers.
2016-17 Contribution Rates
SamCERA has updated its contribution rates for members and employers.
2023 Service Purchase Schedule
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 Returning SamCERA members can also make a Purchase Request for a redeposit of withdrawn funds.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 2023 to make service purchases. The process starts when the member submits a Purchase Request form.
First Period
- SamCERA begins processing Purchase Request forms: February 1, 2023
- Deadline to submit Purchase Request Form: April 28, 2023
- Deadline for all money to be received by SamCERA with agreement: June 1, 2023
Second Period
- SamCERA begins processing Purchase Request forms: August 1, 2023
- Deadline to submit Purchase Request Form: October 31, 2023
- Deadline for all money to be received by SamCERA with agreement: December 7, 2023
You can find a copy of the SamCERA Purchase Request form on the SamCERA forms page.
Contact SamCERA for more information about service purchases.
Empower (formerly known as Mass Mutual) Plan-to-Plan Transfer
The 2023 deadlines to submit the Empower Plan-to-Plan Transfer to Purchase Service Credit form to San Mateo County Human Resources are:
- May 18, 2023 by 12:00 PM (PST)
- November 16, 2023 by 12:00 PM (PST)
For more information about an Empower Plan-to-Plan transfer, please contact benefits@smcgov.org.
Compensation Limits for 2023
“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.
2023 Pensionable Compensation Limits for Plan 7 Members
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:
- General Plan 7 Members (County & Court): $146,042
- General Plan 7 Members (Mosquito & Vector Control District): $175,250
- Safety & Probation Plan 7 Members (County): $175,250
2023 IRS Compensation Limit
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.
Compensation Limits for 2025
“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.
2025 Pensionable Compensation Limits for Plan 7 Members
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:
- General Plan 7 Members (County & Court): $155,081
- General Plan 7 Members (Mosquito & Vector Control District): $186,096
- Safety & Probation Plan 7 Members (County): $186,096
2025 IRS Compensation Limit
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 for 2024
“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.
2024 Pensionable Compensation Limits for Plan 7 Members
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:
- General Plan 7 Members (County & Court): $151,446
- General Plan 7 Members (Mosquito & Vector Control District): $181,734
- Safety & Probation Plan 7 Members (County): $181,734
2024 IRS Compensation Limit
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.
COLA Increase for 2024
At its January 23, 2024 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 Type |
Date of Retirement |
2024 COLA % |
COLA BANK % |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Plan 1 – General and Safety |
On or before 4/1/2024 |
4.0% |
0.5% decrease |
|
Plan 1 – Probation |
On or before 4/1/2024 |
3.0% |
0.5% increase |
|
Plan 2 – All Members |
On or before 4/1/2024 |
3.0% |
n/a |
|
Plan 3 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Plan 4, 5, 6, 7 – All Members |
On or before 4/1/2024 |
2.0% |
n/a |
This COLA applies to eligible retirees and beneficiaries who retire on or before April 1, 2024, and the amount of the COLA will vary depending on the retirement plan.
The COLA for Plan 1 General and Safety members is 4.0%, which includes 3.5% based on the Consumer Price Index in addition to 0.5% from their COLA bank. These members will now have a zero COLA bank balance.
Plan 1 Probation members will receive a 3.0% COLA with a 0.5% COLA bank. The COLA for Plan 2 members is 3.0%, and 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 30, 2024 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, 2024. 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 30.
COLA Increase for 2025
At its January 28, 2025 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 Type |
Date of Retirement | 2025 COLA % |
COLA BANK % |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Plan 1 – General and Safety | On or before 4/1/2025 | 3.0% | n/a |
|
Plan 1 – Probation | On or before 4/1/2025 |
3.0% | n/a |
|
Plan 2 – All Members | On or before 4/1/2025 |
3.0% |
n/a |
|
Plan 3 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Plan 4, 5, 6, 7 – All Members | On or before 4/1/2025 |
2.0% |
n/a |
This COLA applies to eligible retirees and beneficiaries who retire on or before April 1, 2025, and the amount of the COLA will vary depending on the retirement plan.
The COLA for Plan 1 General, Safety, and Probation members is 3.0. The COLA for Plan 2 members is 3.0%, and the COLA for Plans 4, 5, 6 and 7 is 2.0%. Plan 3 members do not receive a cost-of-living increase.
All COLAs will be paid beginning with the April 30, 2025 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, 2025. 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 payment on April 30.
2025 Service Purchase Schedule
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.
First Period
- SamCERA begins processing Purchase Request forms: February 1, 2025
- Deadline to submit Purchase Request Form: April 30, 2025
- Deadline for all money to be received by SamCERA with agreement: June 5, 2025
Second Period
- SamCERA begins processing Purchase Request forms: August 1, 2025
- Deadline to submit Purchase Request Form: October 31, 2025
- Deadline for all money to be received by SamCERA with agreement: December 4, 2025
You can find a copy of the SamCERA Purchase Request form on the SamCERA forms page.
Contact SamCERA for more information about service purchases.
Empower (formerly known as Mass Mutual) Plan-to-Plan Transfer
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:
- May 22, 2025 by 12:00 PM (PST)
- November 20, 2025 by 12:00 PM (PST)
For more information about an Empower Plan-to-Plan transfer, please contact benefits@smcgov.org.