April 2024

Volume 80

Photo Credit: "Douglas Preserve Bluff Above Hendry's Beach" by Susan Horne, SBCERS Retired Member

Highlights

YOU'RE INVITED TO THE 2ND ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE: SETTING SAIL WITH SBCERS

Also in this edition...

2024 COLA Tracker
March 2024 Investments Results
March 20, 2024 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights
CareCounsel Information
RESBC Membership Information

YOU'RE INVITED TO THE 2ND ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE: SETTING SAIL WITH SBCERS

SBCERS invites you to the Goleta office to learn more about your retirement benefits, the administration of SBCERS, and other local organizations. All are welcome! Featuring live music and a light lunch (while supplies last).

This year, the Open House will include a Food Drive benefitting the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Participation is optional!

Friday, June 7, 2024

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

SBCERS Goleta Office

130 Robin Hill Road, Goleta, CA 93117

Click Here to RSVP!

2024 COLA Tracker

For March 2024, Los Angeles Area Inflation (year over year) was 4.03%.The average monthly increase for 2024 to date is 3.30%.

View monthly inflation figures compared to last year.

Want to track the COLA on your own? On the 15th of each month, the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor statistics releases CPI data for Los Angeles.

Read the current Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

March 2024 Investment Results

For the month of March 2024, the Total Fund returned 1.52%. Since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2023, the Fund has returned 6.86% generating over $278 million for SBCERS retirees and beneficiaries.

Read the preliminary March 2024 Investment Report.

March 20, 2024 Board of Retirement Meeting Highlights

At the March 20, 2024 Board of Retirement meeting, the Board received education on derivatives overlay strategies and the investments watch list. The Board also received updates on the Custodial Services Request for Proposal and investment results as of January 31, 2024.

Read the draft March 20, 2024 Minutes.

WANT HELP WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE INQUIRIES & CONCERNS?

Looking for a stress-free solution to your healthcare inquiries and, or concerns? CareCounsel is our health advocacy partner and is a service offered as part of your benefit package. CareCounsel works independently from your insurance carrier and is a completely confidential resource.

It’s easy, call: (888-227-3334), or email staff@carecounsel.com Monday through Friday 6:30 am to 5:00 pm PST. After hours, you can leave a message and they will get back to you the next business day.

A few examples of why you should contact CareCounsel:

Education
Making Sense of Medicare
Benefits and Coverage Questions
Claims and Billing Assistance
Eligibility Status
Quality Concerns
Grievances and Appeals
Assistance with Locating Healthcare Providers

RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY (RESBC)

RESBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of county retirees by providing information on critical retirement issues and offering educational/cultural social opportunities. Membership in RESBC is $2.50 monthly. Dues are deducted from the member’s Santa Barbara County pension payment. County employees may join RESBC by completing the RESBC Membership Deduction Authorization form at the time of their retirement exit conference.

Retirees may join at any time by requesting a membership form from SBCERS, 130 Robin Hill Road, Suite 100, Goleta, CA 93117, 1-877-568-2940 or, by clicking HERE and sending the completed form to benefits@sbcers.org.

RESBC Membership benefits include:

4 issues of the RESBC newsletter per year.
4 subsidized luncheon meetings per year held at various county locations.
Opportunities to participate in subsidized day trips and special events.
Attendance at special presentations on critical issues such as health insurance, pension litigation, pension-related court decisions, etc.
Opportunity to socialize and have fun with former co-workers and friends.

Have a question about an item in this newsletter?

Call a Benefit Representative at 1-877-568-2940. We are ready to help you!

Want to look at prior newsletters?

Click HERE to visit the SBCERS Newsletter Archive.