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Pension Payment CalendarCheck mailed August 27, 2025Direct deposit August 29, 2025

Board Elections 

Upcoming Election 2025 - KCERA Board of Retirement 

On October 21, 2025,  an election will be held for the Kern County Employees' Retirement Association (KCERA) Board of Retirement for terms of office ending December 31, 2025. The following Trustees will be elected:

  • Third Member (General)
  • Eighth Member (Retired)
  • Alternate Eighth Member (Retired)

Each elected member will serve a term ending December 31, 2028. In addition, Third Member to serve the remainder of current term ending December 31, 2025.

Candidates desiring to file:

Download the KCERA Board Election Information Packet here or the packet may be obtained from the KCERA Office, 11125 River Run Boulevard, Bakersfield, CA 93311.

The Nomination Period runs from August 12 through 5 p.m. September 2.

The election will be conducted by mail and online.

  • Ballots and ballot return envelopes will be mailed/emailed no later than Tuesday, September 30, to all members of KCERA eligible to vote.
  • Voted ballots must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 21, in order to be counted in the election.
  • The ballots will be counted at the KCERA Office, 11125 River Run Boulevard, Bakersfield, CA 93311 October 23, at 9:00 a.m. The ballot count is open to the public for viewing. 

Further information regarding nominations and/or election procedures may be obtained by contacting KCERA:  Administration@kcera.org 

General Election Information

In accordance with the Board of Retirement’s Election Procedures, four members of the Board are elected directly by the KCERA membership. General members vote for candidates to fill the Second Member and Third Member seats. Safety members vote to fill the Seventh Member seat. Retired members vote to fill the Eighth Member seat. (Safety and retired members also elect one alternate each.)

Elected trustees serve a three-year term, at the end of which is an election. Incumbent trustees may choose to run for another term as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements of the board seat. When a candidate runs unopposed (i.e., no one else applies), that person is said to be “appointed in lieu of an election.”

Election Process

Eligible voters can vote by mail or online.

Members with a valid mailing address and email address on file with KCERA will receive ballots and election materials via mail and email. You can confirm your contact information in your Member Portal account.

Election Calendar (Download Election Calendar here)

Notice of Election Election-8/5/25 

 Information will be mailed/emailed to relevant members*, sent to KCERA plan sponsors, posted at KCERA, and online.

Nomination Period-8/12/25-9/2/25 by 5 p.m. 

To pursue election to a seat on the Board of Retirement, qualified applicants* must submit required nomination documents. KCERA Board Election Information Packets are available to download here or pick up at KCERA's office soon.

Extended Nomination Period-9/3/25-9/9/25 by 5 p.m. 

If an incumbent trustee fails to meet filing requirements, any other qualified applicant can submit required nomination documents by this deadline to pursue election.

Appointment in Lieu of Election 

 If only one member has met the filing requirements, no election shall be held, and that person will be appointed in lieu of election.

Candidate List-9/16/25 

Candidate eligibility certified and official candidate list posted at KCERA and published online

Write-In Candidate Filing Period-9/17/25 to 10/7/25 by 5 p.m. 

A qualified applicant* may declare candidacy as a write-in candidate by meeting filing requirements.

Mail & Email Official Ballots-9/30/25 

 Ballots mailed/emailed to eligible KCERA members*.

Election Day-10/21/25 

Mail-in and electronic ballots must be received by 11:59 p.m.

Counting of Ballots-10/23/25 9 a.m. 

 Any person may observe the ballot count at the KCERA Office.

Certified Election Results-10/28/25 

Election results certified to the Board of Retirement will be posted at KCERA and published online at www.kcera.org/board-elections.

 

*Please refer to KCERA’s Elections Procedure Policy for more detailed information

Interested in becoming a Trustee?

Trustee Requirements. KCERA's Board of Retirement is the exclusive governing and policy-making body of KCERA. It's primary mandate is to provide KCERA members with retirement benefits promised by their employers (i.e., KCERA's Plan Sponsors). The Boards Key Roles: Setting policy and establishing guidelines for KCERA's efficient opporation. Pension asset management- Control the investment of pension assets. Service provider selection. Chose external professional service providers. Staff Recruitment- Hire executive staff to lead KCERA. Disability Retirement- rile on disability retirement applications. Fund disbursement-authorize the disbursement of funds. Contribution Rates and Actuarial assumptions- Adopt rates and assumptions. Benefits' administration- administer retirement benefits effectively and lawfully. Time requirements- Attend monthly board meetings. Attend committee meetings as assigned. review agenda material prior to meetings. attend conferences to fulfill training requirements. The Board is comprised of: The Kern County treasurer-tax collector. Four appointed members from the Kern County Board of Supervisors. Four elected Members from the KCERA membership, which includes one safety and one general members. Two alternate members, one each elected by safety and retired members. Educational requirements: trustees are required to undergo a minimum of 24 hours of trustee education within the first two years of assuming office and for every subsequent two year period the trustee continues to hold office on the board. Mandated training topics: Ethics, sexual harassment, New trustee orientation. Additional trining topics include: fiduciary responsablilities, investments and investment programs, manage actuarial matters and pension governance. for additional questions email administration@kcera.org or call 661-381-7700