Retirement System & Benefits Overview

The Mendocino County Employees Retirement Association (MCERA) administers defined retirement plan benefits for Mendocino County, Mendocino County Superior Courts, and the Russian River Cemetery District pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law Act of 1937 (CERL)(PDF, 5MB).  MCERA is governed by a Board of Retirement and is a separate agency from the County of Mendocino.

Public employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 are subject to the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA)(PDF, 77KB).  PEPRA retirement tiers are General Tier 4, Safety Tier 3, and Safety Probation Tier 3.  All members hired prior to January 1, 2013 are retirement tiers General Tier 3, Safety Tier 2, and Probation Tier 2.  If you are unsure of your retirement tier please contact the retirement office for assistance.