Retirement Benefits
Whether you are already retired or just starting to think about retirement, the state provides benefits to help you feel secure in your financial future.
Retirement benefits for state employees are administered by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). To learn more, visit the CalPERS website.
Plan confidently by signing up for your myCalPERS account, which allows you to:
- Track your retirement savings
- Explore benefit options
- Prepare for retirement all in one secure place
Supplement Your Retirement with Savings Plus
Savings Plus is a voluntary retirement program for California state employees, including active Part-time Seasonal and Temporary (PST) employees and helps you supplement your retirement benefits through pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) payroll contributions.
Savings Plus offers two plans:
- 401(k) Plan
- 457(b) Plan
Savings Plus representatives are available to guide you through:
- The differences between the plans
- Investment options
- Enrollment
- Lump sum contributions
- Strategies to help achieve your financial goals
For more details, visit the Savings Plus website.
Retirement Benefits FAQ
Can a state employee request a Peace Officer/Firefighter (PO/FF) retirement plan designation?
No. The employer must seek a PO/FF retirement determination from the California Department of Human Resources.
Can a state employee in a PO/FF designated classification or position request a different CalPERS retirement plan, such as miscellaneous retirement?
No. A state employee cannot request a change to their retirement plan.
Can a state employee who transfers from a PO/FF classification or position to a Non-PO/FF submit a request to retain PO/FF?
No. The employee will be placed into the appropriate retirement plan.
Can a PO/FF member voluntarily make Social Security tax contributions?
No. Police and fire employees are exempt from making Social Security tax payments under the Federal and State 218 Agreement and CalPERS laws.
How can a state employee verify their retirement plan?
A state employee can verify their retirement plan by contacting the personnel specialist or accessing the MyCalPERS secure account to review their CalPERS retirement information.
Can a state employee request State Safety retirement designation?
No. The employer or labor organization must seek a State Safety retirement determination from the California Department of Human Resources.
Can a state employee in a State Safety designated classification or position request a different CalPERS retirement plan; such as miscellaneous retirement?
No. A State employee cannot request a change to their retirement plan.
Can a State Safety member voluntarily make Social Security tax contributions?
No. Employees in State Safety designated classifications or positions are exempt from making Social Security tax payments under the Federal and State 218 Agreement and CalPERS laws.
How can a state employee verify their retirement plan?
A state employee can verify their retirement plan by contacting their personnel specialist in their human resources office within their department or by accessing the MyCalPERS secure account to review their CalPERS retirement information.
What defines a “peace officer” candidate?
The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Regulation 1950(b) defines a “peace officer candidate” as: “Any individual, regardless of rank or Penal Code classification, who applies for a peace officer position with a POST-participating department, regardless of the individual’s prior law enforcement experience either at that department or at a different department within the same city, county, state, or district.”
What is a State Safety retirement and what is my retirement formula?
Additional information on retirement formulas, such as State Safety, and benefit factors can be found on CalPERS Benefit Factors webpage.
Your retirement formula can be found by logging into your MyCalPERS account and viewing your CalPERS Account Summary information.
What are the major benefits of the PO/FF retirement plan?
Higher benefit formula (3 percent at age 50, 3 percent at age 55, 2.5 percent at age 55, 2.7 percent at age 57 or 2.5 percent at age 57), as specified in the Memoranda of Understandings and CalPERS laws. Earlier retirement age compared to state employees subject to the miscellaneous and industrial membership. Enhanced death and disability benefits. Employees and employers are exempt from paying Social Security tax.
I think my retirement formula is wrong, what should I do?
A state employee can verify their retirement plan by accessing the MyCalPERS secure account to review their CalPERS retirement information. If there are further questions regarding their retirement plan the employee can contact their assigned personnel specialist within their human resources unit at their department to verify the information on their myCalPERS account is correct (including state hire date, position classification or retirement formula).
Where can I find the list of retirement codes for employees? (HR Offices)
Please refer to Section 2 of SCO’s Personnel Action Manual for the applicable retirement codes: PAM: Section 2 – PAR Items, Lines 1-7 (ca.gov) (retirement account coders start on page 79.
Where can I find more information about Service and Disability Retirement?
Please go to the CalPERS Retirement Benefit page for additional information and resources.
Where can I find Open Enrollment Resources?
Open Enrollment Resources for retirees can be found on the CalHR Benefits Programs page and on CalPERS website at Health & Medicare – CalPERS.
What will the retirement formula be if someone accepts a state safety position?
The retirement formula in that position will depend on their CalPERS member enrollment level in the safety position (PEPRA or Classic), their bargaining unit and the date they were first hired by the State. Employees should refer to the applicable MOUs for guidance on prospective retirement formulas.
