About

Overview

About VCERA

The Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association (VCERA) is a multi-employer, defined benefit, public pension plan located in Ventura County, California. Founded in 1947, the association is governed by the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (“1937 Act”) and the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). VCERA’s primary responsibility is to provide lifetime retirement benefits for eligible employees of the County of Ventura, Ventura County Superior Court, Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), Ventura Regional Sanitation District (VRSD) and VCERA.

To adequately fund the lifetime service retirement, lifetime disability retirement, supplemental, cost-of-living and death benefits of its members, VCERA receives biweekly contributions from members and employers (i.e., plan sponsors) as well as earnings from its diversified investments. Retirement law vests oversight of the agency in a Board of Retirement, which invests VCERA’s assets, sets policy and appoints a Retirement Administrator to manage the day-to-day operations of the retirement system.

VCERA employs well-trained staff to assist with your retirement planning and processing. If you have any questions or service requests, please contact VCERA during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Disclaimer: The Law that governs VCERA is complex, detailed and may change over time. The information contained in this website is made available as a public service. If there is a conflict between the information on this website and the Law, the Law shall prevail. While VCERA has made every attempt to provide correct information, it does not guarantee the accuracy of all information. No one shall be entitled to claim detrimental reliance on any information on this website, which is based on the laws and rules in existence as of January 2019 and is subject to modification based on changes in law, rule or policy.
Overview

Welcome

Welcome to the Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association (VCERA) website.

One of VCERA’s primary goals is to provide timely and accurate information to you—the member—using tools and technologies that make your retirement information easy to understand and convenient to access. This website, with its wealth of educational resources and content, represents the realization of that commitment.

Overview

Your Pension Plan

One of the most valuable benefits offered by your employer is a unique retirement program known as a defined benefit (DB) pension plan. Unlike any other employment benefit, a DB pension plan (VCERA) offers you retirement income that will last your lifetime!

Click on a section below to learn about VCERA and the valuable benefits it provides.

Overview

Board of Retirement & Administration

The Board of Retirement appoints an Administrator to oversee the day-to-day management of the retirement system, including all accounting, benefits, communications, legal and technology functions. The Board also contracts for investment management, asset custody, investment performance evaluation, financial audit, actuarial consulting and other services necessary for the proper and prudent administration of the Plan, in accordance with retirement law. To view a video about the Board and its duties, click here.

The Board of Retirement consists of the County Treasurer, four appointees of the Board of Supervisors, two members elected by General members, one member elected by Safety members, and one member elected by Retired members. The Board also includes one alternate Safety member, one Alternate Retired member, and one Alternate appointee of the Board of Supervisors.

Governance documents, board member profiles, and board meeting agendas and minutes are provided below.

Overview

“1937 Act” Retirement Systems

In 1947, VCERA was established for the benefit of County of Ventura employees pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (“CERL” or “1937 Act”), which is found in California Government Code sections 31450 – 31897. The following California counties also have retirement systems established under this law: