Caution: Beware of Fraudulent DocuSign Emails Targeting ACERA Retirees
On Thursday, July 20, 2023, one of ACERA’s retired members received a fraudulent email, disguised to appear as though it was sent from DocuSign. This deceptive email asked the recipient to resubmit a direct deposit form for their ACERA pension. This email was designed to confuse, because DocuSign is a legitimate company that ACERA uses to provide electronic form submittal to our members.
What the Fraudulent Email Looked Like
For your reference, here’s an image of the fraudulent email that was received by our member (recipient name has been changed):
ACERA Will Be Closed June 19 in Observation of the Juneteenth Federal Holiday
County of Alameda offices, including ACERA, will be closed on Monday, June 19, 2023 in observation of the Juneteenth federal holiday.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with news of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation that the war was over, and that enslaved people were free throughout the nation. While celebrated in communities throughout the United States for many years, in June of 2021, Juneteenth became an official federal holiday, recognizing the end of slavery in the United States and marking a day of remembrance and celebration of Black culture and history.
Covid Testing and Treatment Coverage Rules Have Changed for Some ACERA Members Enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Plans
Changes at the federal level may have resulted in changes to coverages for Medicare-eligible ACERA retirees enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Plan. See the table below for current coverage levels and rules.
The State of California has issued an extension until November 12, 2023 before Covid coverage changes take effect for non-Medicare (under age 65) enrollees in the Kaiser Permanente HMO. See the table below for current coverage levels effective until that date.
ACERA’s Office Closed to In-Person Visits Due to Site Maintenance on Friday, May 26
Phones Will Be Open
ACERA’s office will be closed to in-person visits due to site maintenance on Friday, May 26, 2023. However, ACERA will be open for business that day virtually, and will be taking calls and answering emails. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Would YOU Make a Good Grand Juror?
- Do you want to increase the efficiency of local government, save taxpayers’ dollars, and improve services?
- Are you a good listener?
- Can you cooperate with 18 others towards a common goal?
- Can you keep a secret? All of your work must be kept confidential.
- Can you commit yourself to a full year of work?
- Can you ask thoughtful questions, review documents, and help write reports?
- Can you attend at least two morning meetings each week in Oakland?
- Can you contribute a substantial amount of time to the Grand Jury? (at least 10-20 hours or more per month)
Alameda County Superior Court is seeking at least 30 nominees to serve on the Grand Jury — six from each Alameda County Supervisorial District. Ultimately, 19 jurors will be selected randomly from this pool to be impaneled as the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury for 2023-2024. Nominations are accepted throughout the year, however, the focus at present is to build a Grand Jury for this fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. That means staff must receive nominations no later than May 5, 2023.
The jury’s primary responsibility is to examine and report on the operations of local government agencies and to investigate citizen complaints, acting as the public’s watchdog.
More Information
For more information on what Grand Jury service entails, review these flyers:
How to Apply
Information about qualifications and the application process can be found on the Civil Grand Jury page.
Questions?
For questions about Grand Jury service, please email accivilgrandjury@alameda.courts.ca.gov or call the Court’s Executive Office at 510-924-3800.
ACERA Office Will Open for Walk-In Visitors Weekdays March 1
Beginning March 1, 2023, ACERA’s office will reopen to the public on weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Walk-ins are welcomed.
For members ready to retire, ACERA offers in-person and virtual Ready-To-Retire Counseling appointments.
Members not yet ready to retire but seeking an in-person or virtual appointment can schedule an appointment here or call 510-628-3000.
ACERA continues to monitor the public health situation and may adjust our in-person offerings as the situation changes.
Submit Documents in Our Drop Box Without an Appointment
Members can submit forms and documents in-person utilizing the drop box in our office elevator lobby on the 10th floor of 475 14th Street in Oakland without needing to speak with ACERA staff.
Continue to Connect With Us Virtually
Though the pandemic has eased somewhat, a top priority at ACERA remains the health and wellbeing of our members, our employees, and our families. To keep ensuring members’ safety while serving members’ retirement needs, we’re encouraging members to continue connecting with us virtually whenever possible, thereby limiting visits to ACERA’s office. We’re regularly expanding our virtual services and educational resources to help members plan their retirements.
Counseling appointments will continue to be offered via Zoom and over the phone, which is how 99% of appointments are currently being conducted. Our call center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. We continue to respond to members’ emails within 2 business days. We continue to hold all seminars as webinars.
Get Your Electronic 1099-R Now. ACERA Will Mail Paper 1099-Rs on January 20
ACERA’s 1099-R forms for 2022 will be mailed to all payees on January 20, 2023 ahead of the January 31, 2023 deadline. ACERA reports income to payees (including retirees and survivors) on IRS form 1099-R, and the form should be filed with your 2022 tax return.
Get an Electronic Copy Now
Your 1099-R forms are available now on Web Member Services. Log in to take advantage of this great feature.
Consider Your 2023 Income Tax Withholding Choices
To update your income tax withholding for 2023, simply follow the instructions on each of the withholding forms linked below. Avoid paper, ink, scanning, and hassle by using the DocuSign forms.
Federal Withholding Form
State Withholding Form
ACERA only handles federal and California state withholdings.
ACERA 1099-Rs Will Be Mailed in January 2023
ACERA retirees and survivors will receive their 1099-Rs in January. ACERA reports income to payees on IRS form 1099-R, and the form should be filed with your 2022 tax return. The 1099-R forms for 2022 will be mailed to all payees no later than January 31, 2023.
Get an Electronic Copy Starting January 16
Your 1099-R form will be available on Web Member Services starting on January 16, 2023. Log in to take advantage of this great feature.
Final Election Results
The Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association held an election from November 16, 2022 through December 21, 2022 for five seats on the ACERA Board of Retirement for the calendar years 2023 through 2025:
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3rd Member Representing General Members
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7th Member Representing Safety Members
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Alternate 7th Member Representing Safety Members
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8th Member Representing Retired Members
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Alternate 8th Member Representing Retired Members
ACERA Has Changed Banking Providers
ACERA has changed banking providers from Wells Fargo to JPMorgan Chase. Starting on December 30, 2022, your ACERA monthly retirement allowance checks or direct deposit advice statements will come from JPMorgan Chase. This transition will happen automatically, and you do not need to take any action.
The new check statements and direct deposit advice statements are modeled on the previous ones, so you can expect to see the same layout you’re used to. For a guide to your new statement, visit www.acera.org/statement.
For more information about your retirement allowance, visit www.acera.org/allowance.
To contact ACERA, use our email form at www.acera.org/contact or call 510-628-3000.
ACERA Will Be Changing Banking Providers on December 30
The retirement payment you receive on November 30, 2022 will be the last you receive from Wells Fargo. Starting on December 30, 2022, expect your future ACERA monthly retirement allowance checks or direct deposit advice statements to come from JPMorgan Chase. This transition will happen automatically, and you do not need to take any action.
The new check statements and direct deposit advice statements will be modeled on the previous ones, so you can expect to see the same layout you’re used to. For a guide to your statement and a preview of the new statement, visit www.acera.org/statement.
For more information about your retirement allowance, visit www.acera.org/allowance.
To contact ACERA, use our email form at www.acera.org/contact or call 510-628-3000.
ACERA Office Now Open for Walk-In Visitors Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Our open office hours have expanded to include Wednesdays. Beginning September 21, 2022, ACERA’s office has reopened to the public on a limited basis, Tuesdays , Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Walk-ins are welcomed. For members ready to retire, ACERA will offer in-person Ready-To-Retire Counseling appointments on those days, in addition to continuing to offer virtual appointments.
ACERA Office Open for Walk-In Visitors Tuesdays and Thursdays
Beginning August 23, 2022, ACERA’s office has reopened to the public on a limited basis, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Walk-ins are welcomed. For members ready to retire, ACERA will offer in-person Ready-To-Retire Counseling appointments on those days, in addition to continuing to offer virtual appointments.
Notice of Election 2022 for ACERA Board of Retirement
Election Newsletter
Nomination Period
9:00 a.m. August 29, 2022 – 5:00 p.m. September 26, 2022
During this period, members can request the Election Information Packet (that includes the nomination papers) by emailing a request to ACERAElectionPacket@acera.org or by calling the election coordinator at 510-628-3077. You can not request a packet before August 29. Full instructions are in the Notice of Election below.
Members submitting completed nomination papers must do so during this period.
Voting Begins
November 16, 2022
Your ballot will arrive by mail.
Voting Ends
Return your signed ballot to the Registrar of Voters no later than
December 21, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. PST
for your vote to be counted.
Tell ACERA What You Think
Note: If you received an email from ACERA about this survey, that email is legitimate.
We’re excited to announce that ACERA’s Board of Retirement and Senior Leadership Team have recently begun their planning for ACERA’s next five years and beyond.
With so much change in the world, your feedback is more important than ever to ensure we’re providing the service and support you need.
It will help us greatly if you’d tell us what you think.
What do we do well? In what areas could we improve?
We’ve designed a short survey to hear what you think. It will only take about four minutes of your time to complete.
Survey Takes 4 Minutes
Click below to take the survey:
At ACERA, we are always improving to serve you, our members.
We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.
The survey closes at midnight on Sunday, July 31, 2022.
ACERA Reopening Office to Limited Visitors by Appointment Only
ACERA has reopened its office to visitors by appointment only, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In order to maintain the health and safety of members and ACERA staff during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ACERA is asking its members to continue completing their business with ACERA via mail, email, phone, or video if they are able.
ACERA’s Office Closed Due to Omicron Variant
Due to the extreme transmissibility of the Covid-19 Omicron variant and the steep rise in Covid-19 cases, ACERA’s office will be closed to the public beginning Tuesday, January 18, 2022 and until further notice. This means that ACERA will not be offering in-person Ready-To-Retire Counseling Appointments during the office closure.
ACERA 1099-Rs Will Be Mailed in January 2022
Members in retired status, as well as survivors of ACERA members, will receive their 1099-Rs in January. ACERA reports income to payees on IRS form 1099-R. The 1099-R forms for 2021 will be mailed to all payees no later than January 31, 2022. Form 1099-R should be filed with your 2021 tax return.
Get an Electronic Copy After January 17
Your 1099-R form will be available on Web Member Services on January 17, 2022. Log in to take advantage of this great feature.
2021 ACERA Board Election Results
The Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association held an election from November 10, 2021 through December 15, 2021 for one seat on the ACERA Board of Retirement for the calendar years 2022 through 2024:
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Second Member to Represent the General Members
Votes for the Board of Retirement election were counted on December 16, 2021 at the Registrar of Voters (ROV) office.