Retirement - CalPERS

CalPERS Membership

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is an agency in the California executive branch that manages pension and health benefits for more than 1.6 million California public employees, retirees, and their families.

Membership with CalPERS is based on full-time employment for more than six months or half-time employment for more than one year. Lecturers become members at the beginning of their third consecutive semester at half-time or more, (7.5 units).

Membership is mandatory for qualifying employees. Employees excluded from CalPERS membership are covered by the Part-Time, Seasonal and Temporary Retirement Plan ("PST") administered through SavingsPlus.

CalPERS members pay into Social Security. Those enrolled in SavingsPlus PST do not pay into Social Security.

CalPERS Retirement Pension

You can track your retirement funds and get pension estimates by logging in your MyCalPERS account.

CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan. It provides benefits based on members' years of service, age, and highest consecutive 12 months or consecutive 36 months compensation. In addition, benefits are provided for disability, death, and to survivors or beneficiaries of eligible members. Note: Some members are subject to Compensation Limits**

The vesting period is calculated by CalPERS and includes credit earned at any CalPERS public agency including the State of California (including CSU) and public contracting agencies.

CalPERS Retirement Formulas

State Misc Tier 1: All except State Public Safety

*As required by PEPRA (Public Employees Pension Reform Act), reflects a portion of the current "normal" cost rate. Normal cost rates are determined annually and subject to change.

**Compensation limits for both classic and new members do not limit the salary an employer can pay, but rather limits the amount of compensation taken into account under the defined benefit plan. These limits will affect your monthly pension retirement calculation.

The Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA") provides that the new pension formula be offered to new members. The CSU's understanding is that an employee who previously worked for a CalPERS-covered employer would be considered a "new member" if the employee changes public employers and the separation between employers is greater than six months, unless the change of employment is between state entities or schools.

CalPERS Retirement: Vesting Requirement for Health/Dental Benefits

In order to qualify for health/dental in retirement, you must retire from a benefit eligible position within 120 days of separation from the CSU AND meet either the five year or ten year vesting requirement. (see chart below).

• Retirees pay the same health contribution as active CSU employees.
• Dental Retiree plan premium is paid by CalPERS.
• The vision benefit can be continued at the retiree's expense.

In addition, benefits are provided for disability, death, and to survivors or beneficiaries of eligible members. Exception to Ten Year Vesting Requirement: Disabled employees would receive the full state health contribution if they separate and retire with a disability retirement within 120 days from a benefits eligible appointment.

CalPERS/Retirement Benefits Information:

• CalPERS Member Education Catalog
• CalPERS Special Power of Attorney Brochure
• Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP)-Checklist
• Faculty Early Retirement (FERP) Participation Information
• Medicare Enrollment Guide
• Planning Your Retirement Brochure
• Public Employee Retirement System - Info
• Service Credit Purchase Options Brochure
• Service Retirement Application Brochure

Additional Retirement Information and Forms:

• Application for Staff Emeritus
• CSU Retiree Dental Enrollment Form
• CSU Retiree Booklet
• Retiree Website