SDCERA

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	Retirement benefit payment dates
	COLA and STAR COLA
	Health insurance plans
	Supplemental Benefit Allowance
	Health insurance allowance
	Tax information
	Survivor benefits
	Work after retirement
	Divorce after retirement
	If you move or change banks
	Member privacy

Survivor and Beneficiary Information booklet

Survivor benefits

When you retire, the survivor’s benefits that will be available to your eligible beneficiary upon your death are dependent on the retirement benefit option you choose. The chart below explains the retirement benefit options, along with each corresponding survivor benefit option. Click the Survivor and Beneficiary Information booklet for more detailed information.

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 will receive a lifetime 60% continuance (60% of the Unmodified Benefit) each month
If there is no eligible spouse, the 60% continuance is paid to eligible minor child/children.
If there is no surviving spouse 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 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.

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.

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

Lump sum death benefit

Retirement benefit paid to member

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