SamCERA San Mateo County Employees' retirement Association logo


<p>Your SamCERA account and your SamCERA benefits are subject to California community property law, so if you had a divorce while you were an active, inactive or retired member of SamCERA, or you are planning to file a dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, you must contact SamCERA regarding the division of your retirement benefits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>SamCERA has created the <a href="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DivorceandYourBenefits_20250624.pdf" data-type="attachment" data-id="38477" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Divorce and Your Benefits guide</a> to help all members and their spouses or domestic partners navigate the divorce and dissolution process.</p>



<p>SamCERA has also created model orders for splitting the community share of your SamCERA account and benefits. The&nbsp;Divorce and Your Benefits&nbsp;guide&nbsp;will help you understand how to use the <a href="https://content.samcera.gov/forms-resources/forms/">model orders found on our Forms page</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>SamCERA recommends that all parties involved seek legal counsel.</em></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-columns advgb-columns-wrapper" id="advgb-cols-2d37b894-b17f-4a57-ad73-d072d736c59a"><div class="advgb-columns-container"><div class="advgb-columns advgb-columns-row advgb-is-mobile advgb-columns-2 layout-34-14 mbl-layout-stacked vgutter-10">
<div class="wp-block-advgb-column advgb-column" id="advgb-col-018ae62b-790a-4c49-ae44-0e73de9aaa88"><div class="advgb-column-inner" style="border-style:none;border-width:1px">
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Divorce and Your Benefits Guide</h2>



<p>Learn how divorce or legal separation can affect your SamCERA benefits.</p>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-button alignnone"><a class="wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b" href="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DivorceandYourBenefits_20250624.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span>Read the Divorce and Your Benefits Guide</span></a></div>
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-column advgb-column" id="advgb-col-412de1dc-f17e-492b-9caf-f60d36d41319"><div class="advgb-column-inner" style="border-style:none;border-width:1px">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="518" src="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/divorce-and-your-benefits-cover-400x518.png" alt="" class="wp-image-44777" srcset="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/divorce-and-your-benefits-cover-400x518.png 400w, https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/divorce-and-your-benefits-cover-400x518-232x300.png 232w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></figure>
</div></div>
</div></div></div>
<style class="advgb-styles-renderer">#advgb-cols-2d37b894-b17f-4a57-ad73-d072d736c59a{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-2d37b894-b17f-4a57-ad73-d072d736c59a{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-cols-2d37b894-b17f-4a57-ad73-d072d736c59a{}}#advgb-col-018ae62b-790a-4c49-ae44-0e73de9aaa88>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-018ae62b-790a-4c49-ae44-0e73de9aaa88>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-018ae62b-790a-4c49-ae44-0e73de9aaa88>.advgb-column-inner{}}.advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b{font-size:18px;color:#ffffff !important;background-color:#005e83 !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:16px 32px 16px 32px;border-width:0px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b:hover{color:#ffffff !important;background-color:#003043 !important;box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}#advgb-col-412de1dc-f17e-492b-9caf-f60d36d41319>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-412de1dc-f17e-492b-9caf-f60d36d41319>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-412de1dc-f17e-492b-9caf-f60d36d41319>.advgb-column-inner{}}</style>

Divorce or Legal Separation

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)

Windfall Elimination Provision & Government Pension Offset


<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>


Members


<p>Your SamCERA account and your SamCERA benefits are subject to California community property law, so if you had a divorce while you were an active, inactive or retired member of SamCERA, or you are planning to file a dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, you must contact SamCERA regarding the division of your retirement benefits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>SamCERA has created the <a href="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DivorceandYourBenefits_20250624.pdf" data-type="attachment" data-id="38477" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Divorce and Your Benefits guide</a> to help all members and their spouses or domestic partners navigate the divorce and dissolution process.</p>



<p>SamCERA has also created model orders for splitting the community share of your SamCERA account and benefits. The&nbsp;Divorce and Your Benefits&nbsp;guide&nbsp;will help you understand how to use the <a href="https://content.samcera.gov/forms-resources/forms/">model orders found on our Forms page</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>SamCERA recommends that all parties involved seek legal counsel.</em></p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-columns advgb-columns-wrapper" id="advgb-cols-2d37b894-b17f-4a57-ad73-d072d736c59a"><div class="advgb-columns-container"><div class="advgb-columns advgb-columns-row advgb-is-mobile advgb-columns-2 layout-34-14 mbl-layout-stacked vgutter-10">
<div class="wp-block-advgb-column advgb-column" id="advgb-col-018ae62b-790a-4c49-ae44-0e73de9aaa88"><div class="advgb-column-inner" style="border-style:none;border-width:1px">
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Divorce and Your Benefits Guide</h2>



<p>Learn how divorce or legal separation can affect your SamCERA benefits.</p>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-button alignnone"><a class="wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b" href="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DivorceandYourBenefits_20250624.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span>Read the Divorce and Your Benefits Guide</span></a></div>
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-advgb-column advgb-column" id="advgb-col-412de1dc-f17e-492b-9caf-f60d36d41319"><div class="advgb-column-inner" style="border-style:none;border-width:1px">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="518" src="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/divorce-and-your-benefits-cover-400x518.png" alt="" class="wp-image-44777" srcset="https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/divorce-and-your-benefits-cover-400x518.png 400w, https://content.samcera.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/divorce-and-your-benefits-cover-400x518-232x300.png 232w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></figure>
</div></div>
</div></div></div>
<style type="text/css" class="advgb-blocks-styles-renderer">#advgb-cols-2d37b894-b17f-4a57-ad73-d072d736c59a{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-2d37b894-b17f-4a57-ad73-d072d736c59a{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-cols-2d37b894-b17f-4a57-ad73-d072d736c59a{}}#advgb-col-018ae62b-790a-4c49-ae44-0e73de9aaa88>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-018ae62b-790a-4c49-ae44-0e73de9aaa88>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-018ae62b-790a-4c49-ae44-0e73de9aaa88>.advgb-column-inner{}}.advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b{font-size:18px;color:#ffffff !important;background-color:#005e83 !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:16px 32px 16px 32px;border-width:0px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b:hover{color:#ffffff !important;background-color:#003043 !important;box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-fa20cda6-9533-4459-8023-5177cc47c98b > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}#advgb-col-412de1dc-f17e-492b-9caf-f60d36d41319>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-412de1dc-f17e-492b-9caf-f60d36d41319>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-412de1dc-f17e-492b-9caf-f60d36d41319>.advgb-column-inner{}}</style>

Welcome to SamCERA!

Forms & Resources

Investments & Financials

About SamCERA

Members

Divorce or Legal Separation

Divorce and Your Benefits Guide