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RFP for Actuarial Auditing Services
An RFP for Actuarial Auditing Services was issued on June 5, 2023:
VCERA RFP for Actuarial Auditing Services
The following documents were posted on June 29, 2023 in response to vendor inquiries:
2023 Actuarial Audit RFP Q&As
2017 Actuarial Audit Presentation
Pensionability of Pay Codes – Updated 6/2/2023
Pay codes are used by employers to identify and classify types of pay remitted to employees. Some types of pay are includable in retirement earnings,* as determined by CERL and the Board of Retirement, and some are not. In the Alameda Decision, the California Supreme Court clarified for county retirement systems which categories of pay are excluded from a member’s retirement earnings.
2023 Annual Benefit Statements
VCERA’s 2023 annual benefit statements were mailed to all active VCERA members on May 4, 2023. If you have any questions about your statement, please contact VCERA at (805) 339-4250 or VCERA.info@ventura.org.
Update on Resolutions Passed by Board on April 17, 2023
On April 17, 2023, the VCERA Board of Retirement adopted two Resolutions regarding the Alameda Decision, each affecting different groups of VCERA members.
Some members are not affected at all. For example, those who retired from VCERA prior to January 1, 2013, will not see any change in their retirement benefits as a result of the Alameda Decision.
- Resolution Regarding Correction of Pensionability of Benefits Under County of Ventura's Flexible Benefits Program - 4/17/2023
- Resolution Regarding Alameda Corrections of PEPRA Exclusions as to Retired Members - 4/17/2023
- Resolution Regarding Alameda Implementation to Compensation Earnable and Pensionable Compensation - 10/12/2020
- Read more
April 10, 2023 Letter to Members Re: Potential Impact of Alameda Decision
On April 10, 2023, VCERA mailed a letter to its entire membership regarding the Alameda Decision’s anticipated impact on different categories of members.
March 27, 2023 Board Meeting Recap Re: Alameda Flex Credit Resolution
At the March 27, 2023, Board of Retirement meeting, the Board reviewed the pending proposed Resolution Regarding Correction of Pensionability of Benefits under County of Ventura’s Flexible Benefits Program (“Flex Credit Resolution”) in advance of its formal consideration on April 17, 2023. (Links to the materials reviewed by the Board are available below.) The Resolution is to bring VCERA into compliance with the Alameda Decision (“Alameda”), which was issued by the California Supreme Court on July 30, 2020, regarding the pensionability of in-kind benefits that cannot be received in cash.
March 27, 2023 Upcoming Board Meeting: Alameda Flex Credit Resolution
At the upcoming March 27, 2023, VCERA Board of Retirement meeting, at 10:00 a.m. Time Certain, the Board will be reviewing a proposed Resolution to implement the exclusion of in-kind benefits per the California Supreme Court’s July 30, 2020, ruling in ALAMEDA COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF’S ASSN.
Disclaimer for VCDSA Pension Calculator
It has come to VCERA’s attention that the Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association (VCDSA) recently released a pension calculator application to its members. VCERA disclaims the accuracy of this pension calculator, as none of the calculations generated by this pension calculator have been tested, reviewed or verified by VCERA. An estimate produced by the VCDSA or any other pension calculator does not create any right to receive benefits under VCERA.
Form 1099-Rs Mailed January 31
Form 1099-Rs reporting the 2022 retirement earnings of retirees and other VCERA payees will be mailed by January 31, 2022. The 1099-Rs are available in Member Portal accounts. Members are encouraged to consult a qualified tax preparer with questions about their 2022 taxable income.
For information regarding income tax, please click here.
2023 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
The 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible retirees, beneficiaries and other payees with a retirement date of April 1, 2023 or earlier will be reflected in retirement benefit payments on April 28, 2023:
New Federal Tax Withholding Form W-4P Form Starting January 1, 2023
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revised the federal tax withholding form W-4P in 2022. VCERA had a temporary grace period but will begin using the revised 2023 version of Form W-4P on January 1, 2023.
If you plan to change your tax withholding at the end of 2022 or beginning of 2023, you will need to use the right form as described below:
Governor Veto of Assembly Bill 826 and Impact on VCERA Legacy Members
On September 29, 2022, Governor Newsom vetoed Assembly 826, a bill sponsored by SEIU and the County of Ventura.
Member Portal Multifactor Authentication
To provide additional levels of security, VCERA has implemented Multifactor Authentication (MFA) on our Member Portal. MFA will assist with prevention of cybersecurity incidents, protect your personal information, and further secure your data against identity theft. MFA requires you to provide two forms of authentication (Member Portal password and one-time PIN code), before access to the Member Portal is granted.
July 26, 2021 Board of Retirement Resolution Re: Flex Credit
On July 26, 2021, the VCERA Board of Retirement adopted a Resolution regarding the flexible credit benefit amount that may be included in compensation earnable for “Legacy” members (hired before January 1, 2013).
Excluded PEPRA pay codes
On April 19, 2021, the Board of Retirement approved to ratify staff determination on pay codes impacted by the October 12, 2020, Resolution regarding Alameda implementation for compensation earnable and pensionable compensation.
The attached list of pay codes reflects those used for the pay items that are not pensionable under the Resolution’s criteria.
Oct. 12 Board Meeting Regarding Alameda Decision
On October 12, 2020, the VCERA Board of Retirement adopted a Resolution (Redline Version and Clean version), implementing the California Supreme Co
Alameda Decision Implementation Update from Retirement Administrator, Linda Webb
Dear County Employees & VCERA Members,
On October 12, 2020, the VCERA Board of Retirement will be considering a matter of general interest and importance to VCERA members regarding the impact of the California Supreme Court Alameda decision on VCERA. You may have received an email containing two letters from the County on this topic.