SamCERA San Mateo County Employees' retirement Association logo


<p>The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently updated its information on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Retroactive to January 2024 (and phased in by the SSA as of February 2025)<em>,</em> the SSA no longer reduces social security benefits because of pensions from jobs that did not pay into Social Security.</p>



<p><strong>What this means for SamCERA members:</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>WEP and GPO has never affected your SamCERA benefit.</li>



<li>If your Social Security payment was reduced due to WEP or GPO, you can learn more here: <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/government-and-foreign-pensions" class="broken_link">https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/government-and-foreign-pensions</a></li>
</ul>



<p></p>


Windfall Elimination Provision & Government Pension Offset

Learn about your retirement benefits with SamCERA and find resources to plan your retirement.

Welcome to SamCERA!

Visit MySamCERA to Manage Your Account Online

Find essential forms, guides, and resources to help you manage your pension benefits.

TopHeader Options Page

Active Members

Inactive Members

Retired Members

Life Changes

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)


<p>If you are a current or former permanent employee of the County of San Mateo, the San Mateo County Superior Court, and the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, you are a valued member of SamCERA.</p>



<p>SamCERA offers two membership categories: <strong>Safety Members</strong> and <strong>General Members</strong>. To learn more about your membership and how to plan for retirement, please select one of the topics below.</p>


  
	<section class="img_buttons imagelist" style="text-align:">
          <div class="container"> 
           <div class="img_button_row row three">
										                    <div class="col-md-4 img_btn_col">
                                        <div class="img_block">
					<a href="https://content.samcera.gov/members/active-members/" target="">
                     <img decoding="async" src="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Active_600.jpg" alt="Group of cheerful young coworkers racing in office chairs and laughing in a modern workspace.">					                    <div class="img_block_title">
                    <h3>Active Members</h3>
                    </div>
										</a>
                    </div>
                    </div>
                    					                    <div class="col-md-4 img_btn_col">
                                        <div class="img_block">
					<a href="https://content.samcera.gov/members/inactive-members/" target="">
                     <img decoding="async" src="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Financial-Planning-Classes_600.jpg" alt="Smiling couple meets with a professional at a desk, holding documents and taking notes.">					                    <div class="img_block_title">
                    <h3>Inactive Members</h3>
                    </div>
										</a>
                    </div>
                    </div>
                    					                    <div class="col-md-4 img_btn_col">
                                        <div class="img_block">
					<a href="https://content.samcera.gov/members/retired-members/" target="">
                     <img decoding="async" src="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Retired_600.jpg" alt="Happy older couple in warm clothes enjoying a walk in the woods.">					                    <div class="img_block_title">
                    <h3>Retired Members</h3>
                    </div>
										</a>
                    </div>
                    </div>
                    					                    <div class="col-md-4 img_btn_col">
                                        <div class="img_block">
					<a href="https://content.samcera.gov/members/life-changes/" target="">
                     <img decoding="async" src="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/retirement_planning_3_2_600.jpg" alt="Happy young black couple is happy as they look at their budget">					                    <div class="img_block_title">
                    <h3>Life Changes</h3>
                    </div>
										</a>
                    </div>
                    </div>
                    					                    <div class="col-md-4 img_btn_col">
                                        <div class="img_block">
					<a href="https://content.samcera.gov/members/cost-of-living-adjustment-cola/" target="">
                     <img decoding="async" src="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/withdrawls_rollovers_3_2_600.jpg" alt="womanputs hundred dollar bills into her wallet from an ATM">					                    <div class="img_block_title">
                    <h3>Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)</h3>
                    </div>
										</a>
                    </div>
                    </div>
                    					                    <div class="col-md-4 img_btn_col">
                                        <div class="img_block">
					<a href="https://content.samcera.gov/members/windfall-elimination-provision/" target="">
                     <img decoding="async" src="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/benefits_estimator_too_3_2_600.jpg" alt="Older black couple goes over their finances in their new modern home with their laptop">					                    <div class="img_block_title">
                    <h3>Windfall Elimination Provision</h3>
                    </div>
										</a>
                    </div>
                    </div>
                     
               </div>
            </div>
       </section>



<div class="wp-block-group disclaimer"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<p><sub><em><strong>Disclaimer</strong></em></sub></p>



<p><em>The information on SamCERA&#8217;s website and MySamCERA is general and is not considered a legally binding interpretation, enlargement or amendment of the applicable county and public employees’ retirement law provisions contained in the California Government Code and the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations, or the regulations of the SamCERA Board of Retirement. The information within the site is limited and inadvertent errors can occur. Should there be an inconsistency between the website and the governing law, the law will govern.</em> <a href="https://content.samcera.gov/disclaimer-and-terms-of-use/" data-type="page" data-id="37646">Click here for this site’s full Disclaimer and Terms of Use</a></p>
</div></div>


Welcome to SamCERA!

Forms & Resources

Investments & Financials

About SamCERA

Members

Windfall Elimination Provision & Government Pension Offset