Deferred Members

If you previously worked for Sacramento County or a Participating Employer and left your position before retiring—but kept your retirement contributions on deposit with SCERS—you are considered a Deferred Member.

Deferred members are no longer actively earning service credit, but they retain the right to apply for a SCERS retirement benefit in the future, if eligible. This section explains what it means to be deferred, what options are available, and what steps to take when you’re ready to retire.

Who Is a Deferred Member?

You’re a deferred member if:

  • You’ve left SCERS-covered employment
  • You left your contributions in your SCERS account

If you withdrew your contributions after leaving employment, you are not considered a deferred member and no longer qualify for future SCERS retirement benefits.

Staying Informed

While you may no longer receive the same communications as active employees, you’re still responsible for keeping your SCERS account up to date. This includes maintaining your:

  • Mailing address and contact details
  • Beneficiary designations

What You’ll Find in This Section