Article Detail

The Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System has launched a newly redesigned website focused on improving accessibility, simplifying retirement planning, and delivering a more intuitive digital experience for members, retirees, beneficiaries, and participating employers. The new SCERS website modernizes how users access retirement information and online services while supporting SCERS’ long-term commitment to transparency, education, and member service.

Founded in 1941, SCERS administers retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for Sacramento County and eleven participating agencies and special districts. The organization serves thousands of active employees, retirees, and deferred members through a defined benefit pension system designed to provide long-term financial security for public servants. With fiduciary responsibility for protecting and managing retirement assets, SCERS plays a critical role in supporting the financial futures of the individuals who serve Sacramento communities every day.

The redesigned website reflects a major shift toward audience-focused navigation and digital self-service. Rather than organizing information around internal structures, the new experience guides users based on where they are in their retirement journey — whether they are new employees, active members preparing for retirement, or retirees managing benefits. Clear pathways, simplified content organization, and enhanced accessibility help users quickly find the information and tools most relevant to them.

Project Goals

• Improve the accessibility and usability of retirement information for active employees, retirees, and beneficiaries.
• Simplify complex pension and benefits content through clearer navigation and audience-based user journeys.
• Expand digital self-service tools to reduce friction and improve convenience for members.
• Create a modern, trustworthy digital experience that reflects SCERS’ professionalism and long-term mission.

Planeteria’s Solution

Planeteria partnered with SCERS to deliver a modern public-sector website experience built around usability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. The new website introduces streamlined navigation, improved content architecture, mobile-friendly design, and enhanced online tools that support retirement planning and account management. The platform was designed to make complex retirement information easier to understand while supporting ongoing content management, accessibility compliance, and future digital growth.

Key Features & Functionality

• Audience-focused navigation paths for new members, active employees, retirees, and beneficiaries.
• Responsive mobile-first design optimized for accessibility and ease of use across all devices.
• Online retirement application integration through the MySCERS member portal.
• Interactive retirement planning resources and pension education content.
• Service purchase calculator functionality for estimating service credit costs.
• Improved forms and document access with clearer organization and searchability.
• Enhanced alerts, announcements, and member communication tools.
• Flexible content management system designed for long-term maintainability and scalability.

Project Highlights

One of the most impactful aspects of the project was rethinking how retirement information is organized and delivered online. Pension systems often contain highly detailed, technical information that can overwhelm users. The redesigned SCERS website simplifies these interactions through guided pathways, clearer terminology, and task-oriented navigation that helps members confidently complete important retirement-related actions online. The result is a more approachable and supportive digital experience that better reflects the organization’s mission of service and stewardship.

Looking Ahead

The new SCERS website establishes a strong digital foundation for continued modernization and member engagement. As retirement systems continue evolving expectations around accessibility, online services, and digital communication, the platform gives SCERS the flexibility to expand tools, enhance educational resources, and support members more effectively over time. The launch represents an important investment in both operational efficiency and long-term member experience.

Visit the new Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System website to explore the redesigned experience.