Congress Designates October 19-23, 2015 as National Save for Retirement Week

Their stated goals include increasing awareness of the need to adequately save for retirement and the variety of ways to accomplish this. A number of free workshops will be made available to employees during National Save for Retirement Week as part of Sonoma County’s efforts to increase employee retirement savings and improve financial literacy. Topics covered will include using your 457/401a deferred compensation program to help reach savings goals, an overview of retiree health plan benefits, how to get the most out of your Social Security benefit, and understanding the basics of your Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement Association membership.

Registration is available through “County-wide training”. Space is limited and you are encouraged to register early. The workshops will be held in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers on the main County campus on October 19 and 21, 2015, and in the Water Agency office located at 404 Aviation Boulevard on October 20, 2015. Employees who obtain supervisor approval may use County time to attend these workshops.

Workshops Offered:

Retirement: The Path to Retirement

Presenter: Elizabeth Anderson, SCERA Benefits Coordinator

This workshop will cover a variety of retirement-related topics, including:

• Understanding your plan
• SCERA benefits
• Membership milestones
• Calculating your benefit
• Leaving before retirement
• Reciprocity
• Divorce/Domestic Partnership dissolution
• How to estimate your own benefit
• Tools and resources

Investment Strategies for Managing Risk

Presenter: Patty Lundberg, Nationwide Retirement Solutions Retirement Specialist

This workshop will help Sonoma County’s participating employees:

• Identify and understand the different types of risk that exist in retirement plan portfolios
• Determine where should their money be invested
• Keep their 457 accounts in balance
• Determine what type of investors they are (“Do it for me” or “Do it yourself”)

The Importance of Enrollment in the Deferred Compensation Plan

Presenter: Patty Lundberg, Nationwide Retirement Solutions Retirement Specialist

This workshop will help NON-PARTICIPATING employees explore:

• Why Sonoma County’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan is so important
• Advantages of tax-deferred savings plans
• What type of investor they are
• How to get started

Social Security as Part of Your Retirement Plan Picture

Presenter: Troy Simmons and Mike Kleczek
This workshop will cover:

• Social Security--It’s more than just a check
• Social Security funding concerns
• Social Security basics
• Social Security filing options

Overview of Retiree Health Plan Benefits

Presenter: Kristie Schultz, Benefits Analyst
This workshop will discuss:

• An informative guide to understanding Retiree medical eligibility
• Retiree health plan options
• Medicare as it relates to County benefits
• Non-medical Retiree benefits
• Important Resources

Schedule

Monday, October 19, 2015 - Board of Supervisors Chambers, 575 Administration Dr, Room 100A

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 - Sonoma County Water Agency, 404 Aviation Blvd., Redwood Rooms

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 - Board of Supervisors Chambers, 575 Administration Dr, Room 100A