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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“I never lose; I either win or learn.”

-Nelson Mandela

RESDC HEALTH FAIR PICNIC
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2024

When: Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 10:00 am—1:00 pm
Lunch Served 11:30 am—12:30 pm

Where: Admiral Baker Field, 2400 Admiral Baker Rd, San Diego, 92124
Driving directions will appear in the October issue of THE NETWORK.

What: The Retired Employees of San Diego County (RESDC) are proud to announce our annual Health Fair Picnic on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  It will be held at Admiral Baker Field, at 2400 Admiral Baker Rd., San Diego, 92124.

Our Association consists of over 8,000 members and the attendance at our Health Fair Picnic is growing each year. We are expecting over 300 attendees at this year’s event. All guests will receive an amazing BBQ lunch in addition to tons of health and wellness information from our knowledgeable and frankly, terrific vendors.

This is a free event but please note: REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Registration:

Registration forms must be received in the RESDC office by Friday, October 4. Name badges and opportunity drawing tickets should be picked up at the Check-In table. They will not be mailed. No pets are allowed except Service Animals. No smoking or vaping.

Choose Registration Method:
Register Online: Click here and then click the green “Register” button, then follow the steps.

Register by Phone: Call the RESDC Office at (619) 688-9229 during our hours of 9 am – 2 pm Mon-Fri.

Register by Mail: Click here to print and fill out the Registration Form. Mail form to RESDC, 8825 Aero Dr., Suite 205, San Diego, CA 92123.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

By Chris Heiserman

The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) is a non-partisan tax-exempt organization created in 1978 that does independent policy research on employee benefit programs. It partners with another group (Greenwald Research) to produce an annual survey measuring worker and retiree confidence about retirement. A recent on-line article by “Benefits Pro” highlighted the 2024 Retirement Confidence Survey results from an EBRI webinar.

• Generally, the survey indicated confidence rose slightly this year after being down in 2023, which was attributed primarily to inflation. It said only two in 10 workers were very confident they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. (Seven out of 10 were somewhat confident) Despite the slight confidence improvement, respondents still registered concerns:
• 83% felt increasing cost of living will make it harder to save money
• 79% feared changes in retirement regulations from the federal government
• 78% worried inflation would stay high another year
• 72% believed housing costs will increase
• 71% were concerned the U.S. economy could be heading for recession

Significant numbers of workers expressed anxiety about various aspects of retirement, such as having enough money for basic expenses (76%), being adequately prepared financially (68%), being able to meet health care expenses (66%), keeping up with inflation (62%), and running out of money in retirement (62%).

The survey was performed in January 2024 of 2,521 Americans 25 years of age and older. It included 1,255 workers and 1,266 retirees. In the results, 28% of workers and 32% of retirees felt confident in their retirement because of their income, finances and stable assets.

Interestingly, over one third of retirees reported their retirement expenses for travel, entertainment or leisure were more than expected. However, even though half of retirees said overall retirement expenses exceeded what they expected, four in five indicated they were able to spend whatever they wanted within reason. Over two-thirds of retirees said they were having the retirement lifestyle they envisioned.

In the survey Social Security was a key source of actual and expected income for respondents in retirement, but workers and retirees viewed it a bit differently. Most workers (88%) saw Social Security as an income source in retirement, and 91% of retirees agreed. However, 62% of retirees said it was a major source of income while only 35% of workers expected it to be a major source.

Another report from the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis (SCEPA) at the New School for Social Research summarizes eight prominent surveys of America’s retirement situations. These surveys were conducted by governments, research groups and industry organizations by phone, on-line and via email and show a wide range of retirement anxiety in respondents. The report says the overall results indicate varying degrees of retirement stress depending on a person’s age, gender, economic and educational levels, and whether they are still employed or retired.

Separately, the report says there may be key factors leading people to be more confident about their retirement planning than they should be. For example, they may not understand the math of retirement calculations. In a survey by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS), only 8% of those polled could come close to understanding that $100,000 would only yield a lifetime benefit of approximately $4,000 a year.

The Retirement Confidence Survey can be found here: www.ebri.org/retirement/retirement-confidence-survey □

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BITS AND PIECES

Maria Arroyo who retired in 2004 as a Juvenile Court Referee from the San Diego County Superior Court, attended the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans and won 2 Gold Medals: Masters Women’s Wheelchair Bowling and Motor Rally, a trivia contest held at the WWII Museum.

Sylvia Black recently celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary on board Carnival Firenze with her children and their families. Sylvia has four daughters and eight grandchildren, with ages ranging from 1.5 -18 years. Sylvia worked for 15 years in the County of San Diego in multiple departments such as Sheriff’s, Social Services, Health Services, Public Works, and Chief Administrative Office. □

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SDCERA IMPROVING ONLINE TOOLS

By Tracy Sandoval, SDCERA CEO

A new fiscal year means exciting new projects are on the horizon for SDCERA, so I wanted to take this chance to share some with you.

SDCERA is devoted to six initiatives, which are outlined in our strategic plan: trust fund sustainability, effective administrative governance, excellence in providing member service, high-performing workforce, and modernization of information technology.

Last year, we introduced new online features that we hope helped you as members – an online tax withholding calculator, a secure document upload tool, and new ways to register for the SDCERA Member Portal.

This year, we’re enhancing what members can do online with these projects:

1. New Member Portal features: SDCERA will add new functionality to the Member Portal, which includes the ability to change direct deposit and tax election information online.
2. Strengthening security: We want to ensure your data is secure, so we will put in additional security measures to protect your information.

You can read all our FY 2025 goals in the SDCERA Strategic and Annual Business Plan.

Register for the SDCERA Member Portal

You can find your personalized pension information at your fingertips through the SDCERA Member Portal. Access your monthly earnings statements or 1099-R tax forms, change your address, or download a pension verification statement on-demand.

Get started at memberportal.sdcera.org.

We appreciate our partnership with RESDC and wish everyone a happy and safe summer!

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RESDC DAY AT THE PADRES

San Diego Padres Vs. San Francisco Giants

The Retired Employees of San Diego County are happy to announce that the annual Day at the Padres will take place September 8th at 1:10 p.m. versus the San Francisco Giants. This promises to be a lively and fun afternoon. We’ll be seated together, section 322, but there will likely be a mix of sun and shade so be sure to bring your hat. You’ll be able to purchase seats directly from RESDC via phone or website.

RESDC is only selling 30 tickets directly but there are other seats in our section available directly from the Padres. Please call or email for further seating details.

We’ll see you at the ballpark. Go Padres!

When: Sunday, September 8, 2024, 1:10 p.m.

Where: Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.

Please note: Tickets are only available digitally and will be forwarded via email and uploaded through the MLB Ballpark app, located in your App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).

For more information, visit: https://www.mlb.com/padres/tickets/mobile/guide □

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PHONE SCAM CATCH PHRASES

By Chuck Brown, Director

With so many scam calls being placed, it’s critical to be alert to the possibility that that incoming “unknown caller” is a scammer, too. Phone scammers use a variety of tactics to get information from the people they target, but their motives are pretty much always financial.

Being familiar with some of the phrases scammers tend to say on the phone, you may be able to spot a caller with nefarious intent before they can trick you into falling for their lies. Here’s what to listen for:

• “Can you hear me?”: If a call starts with a “yes” or “no” question, chances are a scammer is trying to record you saying “yes” so they can authorize purchases on your accounts.
• “I’m from the government and need to verify your Social …”: Government representatives would never call unexpectedly and ask for your Social Security number or other sensitive information by phone.
• “You’ve won! All you need to pay is …”: If you really won a contest, you wouldn’t be asked to pay for shipping or anything else. This is an attempt to get your credit card or bank information.
• “Act now!”: Scammers will pressure you to act immediately because they want you to make a snap decision rather than realizing that they’re not legit, which will likely happen if they give you time to think.
• “Don’t hang up …”: Another common phrase, a scam caller will demand you stay on the line because they don’t want you to have an opportunity to fact-check what they’re saying and realize they’re lying.
• “I’m calling from Amazon…” (or any online retailer): If a caller claims to be with Amazon and is calling about a suspicious order, they’re trying to scam you. Another attempt to get information about your account.

Source: An article by Mary White in “Money Digest”
Scam Warning: Never Respond If Someone Calls You And Uses These Phrases (moneydigest.com)□

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BOARD MEMBER PROFILE LEILA ATTAR

A member of the RESDC Board of Directors since February 2018, Leila retired in September 2016, after 32 years of service with the County. Born and raised in New York, Leila moved to California in 1979, where she received her Master of Public Health from San Diego State University. Leila’s career at the County of San Diego began in 1984, at what was then the Health Services Department, now the Health and Human Services Agency. From 1989 to 2000, she was an Analyst with the Alcohol and Drug Services division, where she worked with the community based organizations that provide the wide array of prevention, treatment and recovery services to the residents of San Diego County. She then worked as an Analyst at the County’s Probation Department starting in the year 2000, providing administrative support to the special programs for youth, adults, and families involved or at risk of being involved in the justice system.

A member of the CRASH, Inc. Board of Directors since 2001, Leila’s familiarity with the operations and requirements of the County has assisted CRASH in understanding its expectations. When a potential residential facility became available, she worked on evaluating its appropriateness and feasibility for an agency program. CRASH, Inc. is a non-profit agency providing substance abuse services in San Diego. □

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TRAVEL TIPS — TAKE FLIGHT!

By Chuck Brown, Director

Continuing on from our road trip planning, we can get some handy hints from various sites – like AAA – and this time I zeroed in on “Travel and Leisure” for their list of over two-dozen tips. Here are the highlights from the list 25 Things You Should Do Before Boarding a Plane. (https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/25-things-absolutely-must-board-175600512.html)

1. Download the airline’s app, make sure your reservation details are in, and then use it to check in. That way, you can head straight to security when you arrive at the airport.
2. Assess your seating choices. Seating arrangements vary from aircraft to aircraft. Choose your location – near/far from restrooms or galley, at the bulkhead between you and first-class (often more leg room), at the emergency door (there may be more leg room, but also the wing “hump”, etc.
3. Stay organized by making a quick reference of flight numbers, gate numbers, departure times, lounge/food locations, etc.
4. Consider TSA’s PreCheck. It can save you time and aggravation, like the full-body scan.
5. Check the dimensions of your bags. Check dimensions at home and make sure they adhere to your airline’s limits. Keep in mind that European carriers’ limits vary slightly from those in the U.S. Blame it on standard versus metric.
6. Stay connected. Many airports offer free WiFi, but they’re not usually secured networks. To help fend off hackers, set up VPN on your phone, tablet, or laptop.
7. Wear comfortable clothing – especially for long flights. The airplane cabin climate can range from freezer to sauna. If you have connecting flights, it could go both ways! Wear layers so you can stay comfortable.
8. BYOB – Bring your own travel water bottle and fill it after you’ve run the gauntlet of checking in. Bottled water and other drinks can be expensive.
9. Check your credit card protection. Many cards offer compensation for delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more if you use them to pay for travel plans.
10. Investigate Intelligent Insurance – you might want to insure an expensive trip with a policy that includes provisions for emergency medical evacuation and cancellation for any reason.

That’s just the beginning. Here’s a basic search line – travel tips for flying. Soar with the eagles! □

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Carol Barrett, Assessor/Recorder/Cty Clk
Tina Curry, Superior Court
Barton Funk
Christine, Lawyer Sheriff
Aura Quecan
Alyn Temporal, Probation
Harriet Whitmore
Brian Wilson
Adrienne Yancey, HHSA

The Surviving Spouse of a RESDC member is eligible for RESDC membership. For enrollment assistance, please call (619) 688-9229. □

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HAPPY LABOR DAY!

The RESDC and SDCERA offices will be closed on Monday, September 2nd, in observance of Labor Day. Emails and voice mails will be answered on Tuesday, September 3rd. □

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COMING HOME — ASTREA

When: Wednesday, September 25 at 1:00pm

Where: 1745 N Marshall Ave, El Cajon CA 92020

Program: Our annual Coming Home event will be held at the San Diego County Sheriff’s aviation unit, ASTREA on the 25th of September at 1pm. The acronym stands for Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies. These are the men and women charged with helping to keep us safe via the skies above. The unit averages 6,000 missions per year and operates a fleet of eight helicopters. Anyone interested in law enforcement and/or aviation…register today as space is limited to the first 30 members. Sorry, no guests.

RSVP: This is a FREE event and space is limited to 30 attendees. RSVP is required.

Choose your registration method:

Register Online: Click here and then click the green ‘Register’ button and follow the steps.

Register by phone: Call our office at (619) 688-9229 during our office hours of 9:00am – 2:00pm, Monday – Friday. □

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IN MEMORIAM

Patricia Akers
Lynda Anderson, Municipal Court
Terri Audiss, HHSA
Charles Avery, Agriculture, Weights & Mgmt
Neida Battisti
Earl Bookhammer
Violet Breckenridge, Superior Court
Ann Davis HHSA
Earl Davis HHSA
Joan Dawson, Assessor/Recorder/Cty Clk
Pauline Dease, Electronic Data Processing
Kathleen Fahey, Superior Court
Shirley Frey, General Services
Bruce Fuller, Superior Court
Janet Gilmer, HHSA
Charlotte Hajec, HHSA
Ellen Hamilton
J Hardison
Dortha Kilgore
Robert Kleinschmidt
Lester Lefkowitz, HHSA
Marion Leslie
Ruth Martin
Michael McClure, Probation
Daniel McDuffee, Facilities Mgmt
Amelia Miller
Marilyn Milligan, Assessor/Recorder/Cty Clk
Barbara Norris, HHSA
Dora Padgett, Municipal Court
Edith Pargman
Victor Patterson, HHSA
Russell Patton
George Peterson, Public Defender
Kim Quaco, Sheriff
Ruben Ramos, Sheriff
Laura Reeves
Samuel Richards, Public Defender
Raymond Rowe
Rodante Sarmiento, Sheriff
Jane Simone, HHSA
Olga Skubski
David Smith
Deborah Smith, Sheriff
Leah Thompson, Sheriff
Richard Toland, HHSA
Kenneth Umbarger, General Services
Christopher Wilson, Planning & Land Use
Willa Winters, Library

Member Privacy

Any retiree or surviving spouse who does not want his/her death notice published in the “In Memoriam” column may notify the RESDC office and your privacy will be maintained. □

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CHECK OUT THE RESDC YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Have you missed any of our Virtual RESDC presentations?

Here is how you can watch our past online presentations on the RESDC YouTube channel!

Step 1. Go to www.resdc.net
Step 2. Scroll down a bit, and click the button RESDC YouTube on the left column.
Step 3. Now you are on the RESDC YouTube channel. Now you can select a video to watch!
Step 4. Click the “Subscribe” button. Subscribing to the RESDC YouTube channel means that you will be updated when new videos are uploaded.

View Curated Playlists

On the RESDC YouTube channel you can also view curated playlists of videos from county partners such as Live Well San Diego and Aging and Independence Services.

Step 1. Access the RESDC YouTube channel by following the instructions above.
Step 2. Scroll down. You can select a playlist of videos that you would like to view. □

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USEFUL CONTACTS FOR COUNTY RETIREES

SDCERA Administration

• Retirement checks
• Withholding forms
• IRS tax forms
• Beneficiary change
• Address change
• Health Insurance Program
• Retirement Board meetings
  Phone:  (619) 515-6800
  Website: www.sdcera.org
  Email: msc@sdcera.org
  Address:  2275 Rio Bonito Way #100, San Diego, CA 92108

Board of Retirement Members Elected by SDCERA Retired Members
Skip Murphy smurphy@sdcera.org
Alternate—Susan Mallett  smallett@sdcera.org

RESDC Administration

• Membership
• Address/email change
• THE NETWORK Editor
• Board of Directors
• Events
• Scholarship programs
• Discounts
  Phone:  (619) 688-9229 or (866) 688-9229
  Website:  www.resdc.net
  Email:  resdc@resdc.net  
  Address:  8825 Aero Dr., #205, San Diego, 92123

RESDC Endorsed Insurance and Other Supplemental Benefits
Pacific Group Agencies, Inc.
Phone:  (800) 511-9065
My Senior Health Plan
Phone:  (800) 401-2796
San Diego County Aging & Independence Services
Phone:  (800) 339-4661 □

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THE NETWORK is the official monthly newsletter of the Retired Employees of San Diego County, Inc. (RESDC), a private non-profit organization.

The information printed in THE NETWORK is believed to be from reliable sources. However, no responsibility is assumed by THE NETWORK for inaccuracies contained herein.

Business and Inquiries: Business matters and address changes may be recorded on our voicemail at any time, call (866) 688-9229. Please spell your name so the correct member record can be located.

Retired Employees of San Diego County, Inc.
8825 Aero Drive, Suite 205 | San Diego, CA 92123
Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday
TELEPHONE: (866) 688-9229 Toll Free
FAX: (619) 688-0766
E-MAIL: resdc@resdc.net