FROM: Olivia Applegate, Director of Communications & Stakeholder Relations
SUBJECT: Update on Retirement Support Initiatives
RECOMMENDATION:
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Receive update on retirement support initiatives.
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BACKGROUND:
Last year, Trustee Harry Hatch suggested pairing seasoned SBCERA retirees with members starting the transition to retirement. In response, SBCERA staff and the Retired Employees of San Bernardino County (RESBC) organized a working group to discuss ways to help members who are nervous about retirement and want help with the transition to retired life. Trustees Harry Hatch and Dawn Stafford both participated in the working group. SBCERA members have indicated this type of assistance would be useful. In the recent SBCERA member engagement survey, 64% of retired members said it would have been beneficial to speak to a retired member about the transition to retirement before they retired.
In addition, working group members identified a need for education on a variety of topics, which are further discussed below.
“Retirement Guide” Program:
In response to the feedback gained from the working group, SBCERA staff developed the “Retirement Guide” program, a pilot initiative that will help members navigate the transition from working life to retirement.
For the pilot program, SBCERA staff plans to recruit up to 10 retired members (“Retirement Guides”) by working with RESBC, the San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA), San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters Local 935 (Local 935), Teamsters, and other stakeholders.
SBCERA will also recruit up to 10 active members (Pre-Retirees) in the process of retiring who would like to be matched with a Retirement Guide. Staff will recruit participants at pre-retirement seminars and through referrals from SEBA, Local 935, Teamsters, and other partners.
SBCERA staff will review the applications and determine the best matches based on the responses to the application questions. For example, some pre-retirees may wish to meet with someone who previously worked in their department or field of work, while others may not want to be matched with someone from their department. Some may prefer phone calls to in-person meetings. Our plan is to match as best we can to the desires of the plan participants.
Each Retirement Guide will attend an orientation where they will review program guidelines. Examples of program guidelines will be that they refer questions about the member’s SBCERA benefits to SBCERA, that they conduct in-person meetings in a public space, etc. Staff will also provide all participants with a list of “ice breaker” questions to help facilitate their first meeting.
All participants will be provided with the name and general work history of their matches before any connections take place to ensure there are no prior conflicts or concerns with the match.
The pilot program is tentatively scheduled to begin in the fall. SBCERA staff will begin recruiting participants for the program this summer.
After six months, staff will survey participants to determine the pilot initiative’s effectiveness and will then determine next steps.
Educational Workshops:
The working group also discussed hosting educational workshops for retired and active members in SBCERA’s new second flood multipurpose room.
Topic examples include financial planning, fraud avoidance, pre-Medicare health insurance options, Medicare enrollment, healthy eating, long-term care planning, home safety, local volunteer opportunities, and more.
SBCERA will partner with RESBC and local agencies, such as the County Department of Aging and Adult Services, Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney, and Fire Department, to organize and host the workshops.
SBCERA Retiree Resource Web Page:
SBCERA staff will create a new resource page for retirees on SBCERA’s website. This section will feature links to SBCERA’s growing resources in partnership with RESBC, as well as verified federal, state, and local senior resources. The page will also include links to senior resources by San Bernardino communities.
BUDGET IMPACT:
None.
STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL/OBJECTIVE:
Superior Service Experience
STAFF CONTACT:
Olivia Applegate
Scott Vanhorne
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: Staff summary presentation