1099-R tax forms will be mailed by January 31, 2024 to the
addresses we have on record for retirees. This form contains
information about reportable income and taxable income from
SamCERA for 2023. It will also reflect the amount of federal and
California taxes that have been withheld, if any.
Access Your 1099-R Online
Your 1099-R is available online to view and print in the
MySamCERA member portal.
After logging in, click on “Your Plan” in the navigation menu,
then click on 1099R Tax Information, and from there you have the
option to view or print a copy of current and past 1099-Rs.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revised the W4-P federal tax withholding form in 2022. SamCERA will begin using the new IRS W4-P forms, which are for periodic payments only, on January 1, 2023.
If you need to make new withholding elections or make a change to your current elections, it is important to use the correct form based on your submission date to prevent delays with your withholding elections.
Submitted By 12/15/22: Please continue using the 2021 W4-P form for all tax withholding submissions/changes. SamCERA will reject any 2021 forms received on or after 12/16/22.
Submitted On or After 12/16/22: Please use the new 2022 or 2023 W4-P form for all tax withholding submissions/changes. SamCERA will reject all other forms submitted on or after 12/16/22. Please note, SamCERA will not be able to process any 2023 W4-P withholding elections until 1/1/23.
For more information, see the Tax Information page of the website which includes links to the current form to use and additional information about tax withholdings.
1099-R tax forms were mailed on January 11, 2023 to the addresses we have on record for retirees. This form contains information about reportable income and taxable income from SamCERA for 2022. It will also reflect the amount of federal and California taxes that have been withheld, if any.
Access Your 1099-R Online
Your 1099-R is available online to view and print in the MySamCERA member portal.
After logging in, click on “My 1099R’s” in the navigation menu, and from there you have the option to view or print a copy of current and past 1099-Rs.
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.
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.
At its January 24, 2023 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
2023 COLA %
COLA BANK %
Plan 1 – General and Safety
On or before 4/1/2023
5.0%
0.5%
Plan 1 – Probation
On or before 4/1/2023
3.0%
2.5%
Plan 2 – All Members
On or before 4/1/2023
3.0%
n/a
Plan 3
n/a
n/a
n/a
Plan 4, 5, 6, 7 – All Members
On or before 4/1/2023
2.0%
n/a
This COLA applies to eligible retirees and beneficiaries who retire on or before April 1, 2023, and the amount of the COLA will vary depending on the retirement plan.
The COLA for Plan 1 General and Safety members is 5.0% with a 0.5% COLA bank. Plan 1 Probation members will receive a 3.0% COLA with a 2.5% 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 28, 2023 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, 2023. 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 28.
1099-R tax forms were mailed on January 21, 2021 to the addresses we have on record for retirees. This form contains information about reportable income and taxable income from SamCERA for 2020. It will also reflect the amount of federal and California taxes that have been withheld, if any.
Access Your 1099-R Online
Beginning on January 22, 2021, you will be able to view and print your 1099-R online in the MySamCERA member portal.
After logging in, click on “My Documents” in the navigation menu, and from there you have the option to view or print a copy of current and past 1099-Rs.
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 Type
Date of Retirement
2022 COLA %
Plan 1 & 2 – All Members
On or before 4/1/2022
3.0%
Plan 3
n/a
n/a
Plan 4, 5, 6, & 7 – All Members
On or before 4/1/2022
2.0%
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.
Changes to taxes and health plan premiums in 2021 could mean that you see a change in your monthly pension benefit in January. Below are a few reminders:
Tax Tables & Withholding: The Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board revise their tax tables annually, which may change your monthly pension benefit from SamCERA. A licensed tax advisor can provide more information about these changes and your tax withholding options for 2021.
You can change your tax withholding election anytime throughout the year by completing a new Tax Withholding form (available on our website) or online at the MySamCERA member portal – www.mysamcera.org.
Tax Documents: 1099-R tax forms for 2020 were mailed last week, and they are now available online! To view or print your 1099-R form online, login to your MySamCERA account.
Health Premium: If you pay for all or a portion of your health plan premium via your SamCERA pension benefit, changes to health plan premium rates in 2021 may change the monthly benefit that you receive from SamCERA. For more information about the new 2021 retiree health benefit rates, contact the San Mateo County Benefits Division at benefits@smcgov.org or (650) 363-1919.
Direct Deposit Statements: Benefits statements are available online in the MySamCERA member portal. These statements provide the amount deposited in your account each month, along with any itemized deductions.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): An annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is calculated by SamCERA’s actuary, and the increase or decrease is set by the Board of Retirement and certain plan limits. The COLA is effective April 1, and any adjustments will appear on the April benefit paid at the end of the month. More details will be available on our website following the Board of Retirement’s decision.
