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)

Declarations of Candidacy for candidates desiring to file may be obtained from the KCERA Office, 11125 River Run Boulevard, Bakersfield, CA 93311

The nomination period runs from August 18 - September 12.

The election will be conducted by mail and online.

Ballots and ballot return envelopes will be mailed/emailed no later than Tuesday, September 23, 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.

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

What's it like to be a KCERA Board Trustee? See details and requirements below.

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 661-381-7754