Membership
Contributions
Retirement eligibility
Retirement benefit options
Temporary supplement
Survivor benefits
Reciprocity
Service credit purchase
Disability retirement
Divorce
Options following termination
Retirement plan booklet

When you retire, you will choose one of several Benefit Options, which ultimately will determine the amount of your retirement benefit, and who you may designate as your beneficiary. Each option is outlined carefully below; for more detailed information, click the Retirement Plan booklet.

Unmodified Benefit Option 1
Cash Refund Annuity		 Option 2
100% Joint and Survivor		 Option 3
50% Joint and Survivor		 Option 4
Multiple Beneficiaries		 Lump Sum Death Benefit

Unmodified Benefit
Retirement benefit paid to member
  • Highest monthly benefit paid to all members
Survivor benefit paid to beneficiary (upon death of retired member)
  • Upon the member’s death, an eligible spouse/registered domestic partner will receive a lifetime 60% continuance (60% of the Unmodified Benefit) each month.
  • If there is no eligible spouse/partner, the 60% continuance is paid to eligible minor child/children. 
  • If there is no surviving spouse/partner or eligible minor child/children, the designated beneficiary will receive a refund of any remaining SDCERA member contributions, plus interest.
Beneficiary eligibility requirements
  • An eligible spouse/partner is someone to whom the member was married for at least one year prior to the date of retirement OR 
  • At least two years prior to the date of the member’s death and the person is at least 55 years of age on the member’s date of death.
  • An eligible minor child is any child unmarried and under the age of 18, or unmarried and under the age of 22 if enrolled full-time in an accredited college.

Option 1: Cash Refund Annuity
Retirement benefit paid to member
  • Reduced monthly retirement benefit.
Survivor benefit paid to beneficiary (upon death of retired member)
  • Upon your death, any remaining member contributions and interest are paid in a lump sum to your estate or to a beneficiary of your choice.
  • With Option 1, there is no monthly survivor continuance available.
Beneficiary eligibility requirements
  • You may name anyone you choose to receive a return of any remaining member contributions.

Option 2: 100% Joint and Survivor
Retirement benefit paid to member
  • Reduced monthly retirement benefit.
  • Amount of reduction is based on age difference between you and the person you name as your beneficiary.
Survivor benefit paid to beneficiary (upon death of retired member)
  • Upon your death, 100% of your reduced benefit is paid monthly to the beneficiary you name.
  • Your beneficiary must have an insurable interest* in your life.
  • The amount of the reduction in your benefit is based upon the age difference between you and the person you name as your beneficiary.
Beneficiary eligibility requirements
  • Beneficiary must have an insurable interest* in member’s life.
  • Beneficiary cannot be changed after the member's retirement date.

Option 3: 50% Joint and Survivor
Retirement benefit paid to member
  • Reduced monthly retirement benefit.
  • Amount of reduction is based on age difference between you and the person you name as your beneficiary.
Survivor benefit paid to beneficiary (upon death of retired member)
  • Upon your death, 50% of your reduced benefit is paid monthly to the beneficiary you name.
  • Your beneficiary must have an insurable interest* in your life.
  • The amount of the reduction in your benefit is based upon the age difference between you and the person you name as your beneficiary.
Beneficiary eligibility requirements
  • Beneficiary must have an insurable interest* in member’s life.
  • Beneficiary cannot be changed after the member's retirement date.

Option 4: Multiple Beneficiaries
Retirement benefit paid to member
  • Reduced monthly retirement benefit.
  • Amount of reduction is based on service credit and age of beneficiaries.
Survivor benefit paid to beneficiary (upon death of retired member)
  • Reduced monthly retirement benefit.
  • This option is sometimes used in the case of divorce, when both a former and current spouse are eligible for a portion of the benefit.
Beneficiary eligibility requirements
  • Beneficiary must have an insurable interest* in member’s life.
  • Beneficiary cannot be changed after the member's retirement date.

Lump Sum Death Benefit
Retirement benefit paid to member
  • N/A
Survivor benefit paid to beneficiary (upon death of retired member)
  • A one-time, lump sum death benefit in the amount of $3,500 is payable to the beneficiary you name. This benefit is available if your last active service was with the County of San Diego.
Beneficiary eligibility requirements
  • N/A

* Insurable Interest
An insurable interest is defined in California Insurance Code Section 10110.1(a) as follows: An insurable interest, with reference to life and disability insurance, is an interest based upon a reasonable expectation of pecuniary advantage through the continued life, health, or bodily safety of another person and consequent loss by reason of that person’s death or disability or a substantial interest engendered by love and affection in the case of individuals closely related by blood or law.