Founded in 1945, the Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association manages approximately $7 billion in retirement assets and has more than 21,000 members. Photo by Ben. Hensley

With 80 years under its belt, billions of dollars in combined funds and thousands of members since its inception in 1945, the Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association (FCERA) has served as a pillar of retirement security for public-sector employees.

Formed through a voter initiative, FCERA operates under the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937. Commonly referred to as the “‘37 Act,” the legislation provided the framework for county retirement systems throughout the state.

“We’re part of a group of public pension plans supporting county employees primarily,” said Donald C. Kendig, FCERA retirement administrator, adding that the association also serves a number of special districts including Fresno Mosquito Vector Control District, Clovis Veterans Memorial, the County of Fresno and several others.

For members, FCERA ensures monthly benefits derived from two plans: defined benefits plans, based on years of service, age and final salary, and annuities.

Operating under the direction of a nine-member board, the association advocates for its members, as well as offers member counseling, retirement planning and preparation services.

In total, FCERA manages approximately $7 billion in retirement assets, which fluctuates with the market and number of members who are active or retired.

As of June 2024, FCERA had more than 21,000 members, with an even split between active and retired or deferred members.

Kendig, who has been in the pension plan business since 2003, has weathered several changes during his time with the association. In 2012, pension reform — PEPRA (Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act) — changed the formula of retirement. PEPRA changed the way retirement benefits were calculated, tightening compensation limits and raising minimum retirement ages.

Changes, like the implementation of PEPRA and others that have impacted government-employee pension plans throughout the years, have largely aimed to carry out a variety of improvements to the system. These include securing when and where retirement funds can be withdrawn and promoting sustainability to addressing unfunded liabilities.

Kendig, a certified public accountant with extensive experience in retirement and pension administrating, has helped guide FCERA through the constantly changing evolution of its members.

Under Kendig’s leadership at FCERA, the administration has remained largely consistent in asset history and, despite several challenging years brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, FCERA‘s asset history has remained largely consistent.