SCERS is now distributing overpaid retirement contributions to current and former County employees for pay elements that can no longer be included in pension calculations. This action is pursuant to the California Supreme Court decision in the case of Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association et al. v. Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association and Board of Retirement of ACERA (Alameda).

SCERS earlier sent letters of notification and emails to members with refunds owed to them in advance of issuing refunds. In the past week, SCERS issued Alameda refund checks to more than 3,400 active and deferred members, in amounts ranging from a few pennies to several thousand dollars. The median refund is about $70. Members who elected to have refunds rolled into Fidelity accounts had those transactions processed by SCERS on November 4, 2022, and members who elected to roll over the refund to other accounts will see those transactions processed in the near future.

Additionally, SCERS has notified about 400 retirees who are owed a refund but do not require further pension adjustments. Those members can expect to receive their refunds or rollovers by the end of December 2022.

SCERS is finalizing pension adjustments for other retirees affected by the Alameda decision and will be sending notifications and begin making corrections by early 2023.

Members with questions concerning Alameda refunds are encouraged to contact SCERS directly at (916) 874-9119 or sacretire@saccounty.net.

For a list of Alameda refund FAQs and answers, visit scers.org/article/alameda-refund-faqs.