Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the questions you, our readers, have asked. If you have other questions, please reply using the Contact Us tab on this website and we'll publish the most popular ones.
Q1. JOBS. Does SDG&E hire retirees? How do I find out about potential jobs?
A1. Yes, SDG&E often re-hires SDG&E Alumni who had a good work record. I was unable to obtain the SDG&E Human Resources department for official answer, but for now, I suggest you visit http://www.sdge.com/careers and see if there are any jobs for which you have interest.
Q2. BENEFITS. I am having trouble getting answers from the SDG&E Retiree Service Center/My Retirement Connection. To whom else can I direct my questions? To whom do I complain?
A2. We have a brand new provider (March 2018) so this may no longer apply. It is My Retirement Connection at 855-376-7237. This is by far our top question (so why is it Q2?). Unfortunately, there is not a good answer. I am advised not to try and answer. Here is my best personal advice. When you speak with the Retiree Service Center representative, if you are not obtaining the service you desire, let them know about it, politely of course. Their calls are recorded and they really don't want to sound silly or less than helpful. Next ask to speak to their supervisor. That has worked for me. Finally, they often ask for survey feedback (both on the phone and every time you logout from their website). Take the time to give them the feedback they deserve. Give it to them! Be honest and specific. If enough of us answer honestly, that will help (looks like it helped!).
Q3. HOLIDAY LUNCHEON. Why did I not receive an invitation to the Holiday Luncheon?
A3. Beginning in 2019, iInvitations are only e-mailed along with our electronic newsletter, the Retiree Times, every in early October. If you did not receive an invitation by e-mail, we may not have your current e-mail address. Please update it here on our website by selecting the Directory tab, then Update Email Address. We also post the Holiday Luncheon information, including the invitation, on this web site.
Q4: EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS: I lost my employee discount. What happened?
A4. If a retiree moves within the SDG&E service territory and wishes to transfer the Employee Discount to the new address, the retiree must print, complete, scan, and email the Request for Employee SDG&E Utility Discount or Bonus Day(s) form to the Employee Discount Program group at EmpDisPg@semprautilities.com The standard turnaround time is 10 business days plus the time until the next bill is issued. The same email address can be used to submit questions or check on the status of a request.
Q5: EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS: My spouse who worked at SDG&E or retired from SDG&E recently died. What happens to my employee discount?
A5. Unfortunately, when the qualifying retiree dies, the spouse loses the employee discount. CPUC tariff schedule DE states in special condition 4 that "Service under this schedule is available only upon written application made by the employee or annuitant, and the discount will be discontinued upon termination of eligibility of such person."
Q6: DIRECTORY. Why is my name not in the alumni association directory? Or the list of retirees?
A6. The Alumni Association does not receive notice of retirements or retiree contact information from SDG&E. To be included in the Directory, retirees need to submit their information to us. On the main page of this site, click on Directory and then on Update Directory Information. Complete and submit the form and your information will be included in the next quarterly update of the Directory. You need to send the info to us! We have kept a list of retirees only since 2002, which is when we began publishing the names in the SDG&E Retiree Times. If you retired before 2002, we don't have that info, so we don't publish it. After 2002. the most common reason is because we were never notified of your retirement. Please go to our Directory tab on this website and fill in the information. Sempra Energy and SDG&E will NOT give us any information about employees or retirees because they are protecting your confidential information.
Q7. DONATIONS. Can retirees donate to the Sempra Employees Giving Network (SEGN)?
A7. No, not at the present time. Apparently our non-profit organization cannot be connected to Sempra. We are working on some type of other way to channel your donations, perhaps through another fund.
Q8. VOLUNTEERING. Can retirees participate with active employees in community volunteer activities?
A8. You asked. We listened. A manual program has been set up through the SDG&E Alumni Association Advisor to notify us of the upcoming events when they are posted on SDG&E's intranet. We will share these opportunities with you on the SDG&E Alumni Association Facebook page. If our participation exceeds expectations, a more comprehensive system will be set up for us.
Q9. LIFE INSURANCE. My SDG&E retiree friend died recently. When his spouse called the SDG&E Retiree Service Center about collecting his $10,000 life insurance policy, they told me they had never heard of such a thing. How do I prove she is entitled to that benefit?
A9. See Q2 above. Most retiree benefits are described in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) document that SDG&E is required to give all employees who retire. The life insurance benefit amount changes depending on your year of retirement. If you retired after January 1, 2006, the amount is a flat $10,000. In the 2012 SPD for Retiree Group Health and Welfare (Non-represented Retired Employees) the benefit is described on page 85 (Your Life Insurance Plan Options). This information also shows up on the My Retirement Connection website. Log in to your My Retirement Connection website at https://myretirementconnection.ehr.com and click on the Health and Welfare tab. Under Company Paid Life Insurance it will state Coverage: $10,000 (depending on year of retirement) followed by Monthly After-tax cost $0.00. It is unbelievable that any employee of the SDG&E Retiree Service Center cannot immediately see this. Call again. Ask for the supervisor. Read this statement to them. (Not yet sure if new MRC has this info.)