San Bernardino County Retirement Membership
Eligible employees working at least 40 hours per pay period are automatically members of the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA). As a member of SBCERA, you make contributions each pay period for your retirement and survivor benefits via payroll deduction. For more information about membership with SBCERA, please visit San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association .
SBCERA Membership Classification & Tiers
SBCERA administers benefits for two membership classifications, Safety and General, and two tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Safety Members are those employed in active law enforcement or active fire suppression. All other members are classified as General Members.
Tier 1 Members are those with an SBCERA membership date prior to January 1, 2013 or those members who are eligible for and establish reciprocity with an eligible public retirement system for service prior to January 1, 2013. Tier 2 Members are those with an SBCERA membership date on or after January 1, 2013.
Refundable and Non-Refundable Retirement Options
You may be able to change your retirement contribution option during open enrollment, if permitted under the Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), and as allowed by your MOU. If you wish to change your contribution option, you must complete the Retirement System Contribution Election section in EMACS Self-Service during open enrollment.
Refundable Retirement Contributions
If you designate your retirement contributions as refundable, then you pay the regular contribution rate required to meet your retirement obligation. If you leave employment without retiring, you may withdraw or rollover these refundable contributions plus earned interest in one lump-sum payment from SBCERA
Non-refundable Retirement Contributions
If you designate your retirement contributions as non-refundable, you pay a reduced contribution rate. This reduction is determined by the Board of Retirement annually and is subject to change. If you leave employment without retiring, you may not withdraw or rollover these non-refundable contributions from SBCERA.