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San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association
File #: 26-065    Name:
Type: Action Item
File created: 2/4/2026 In control: ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
On agenda: 2/19/2026 Final action: 2/19/2026
Title: Recommend that the Board approve and adopt Benefits Policy No. 037 (Survivor Benefit - No Named or Deceased Beneficiary Designation)
Attachments: 1. Exhibit A: Benefits Policy No. 037 (Survivor Benefit - No Named or Deceased Beneficiary Designation), 2. Exhibit B: SBCERA Limited Affidavit

 

FROM:                                           Barbara Hannah, Chief Counsel

 

SUBJECT:                                           Benefits Policy No. 037 (Survivor Benefit - No Named or Deceased Beneficiary Designation)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

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Recommend that the Board approve and adopt Benefits Policy No. 037 (Survivor Benefit - No Named or Deceased Beneficiary Designation)

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BACKGROUND:

The purpose of Benefits Policy No. 037 (Survivor Benefit - No Named or Deceased Beneficiary Designation) is to provide clear direction to SBCERA staff and successor(s) in interest when a member or recipient payee passes away and there is no named beneficiary designation on file, or when a named beneficiary on file is deceased.

 

Adopting Benefits Policy No. 037 will assist staff by providing formal guidelines in scenarios where there is no named beneficiary.  This will result in a more efficient process that allows payments to be made on a timely basis, while also providing a superior service experience to successor(s) in interest.

 

The intent of Benefits Policy No. 037 is to comply with succession laws in accordance with California law of intestacy.  Once successor(s) in interest are verified, they will be required to complete an SBCERA limited affidavit form which releases liability and indemnifies SBCERA from paying benefits erroneously.

 

BUDGET IMPACT:

None.

 

STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL/OBJECTIVE:

Operational Excellence & Efficiency

 

STAFF CONTACT:

Barbara Hannah

Alexander “Sandy” Meier

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Exhibit A:                     Benefits Policy No. 037 (Survivor Benefit - No Named or Deceased Beneficiary Designation)

Exhibit B:                     SBCERA Limited Affidavit