- Follow our step-by-step How to Create a Retirement Estimate on myCalPERS (PDF) guide to get your estimate.
- View our webinar, Your Retirement Estimate and Payment Options, to learn about the latest features of the Retirement Estimate Calculator in myCalPERS.
The Retirement Estimate Calculator is intended to provide only an estimate of your future retirement benefits. Your actual retirement benefit will be determined when you formally apply for retirement based on the California Public Employees' Retirement Law and federal tax law. Make an appointment with us to learn more.
Steps to Apply
You can apply for service retirement online, in person, or by mail.
To file electronically, log in to myCalPERS. Go to the Retirement tab, select Apply for Retirement, and follow the steps for submitting your application and required documents online to CalPERS.
There are a number of benefits to filing for retirement electronically:
- Easily and securely submit your application at your convenience, 24 hours a day.
- Leave the online application and return at any point to complete it.
- Prior to submission, review and edit your information.
- Receive confirmation that your application has been successfully submitted.
- Submit additional required documents online.
- Use the Electronic Signature to eliminate the notary requirement for the member signature.
For step-by-step instructions on filling out a paper service retirement application, review the Service Retirement Election Application (PUB 43) (PDF, 1.33 MB) or take the instructor-led or online Member Education class, Completing Your Retirement Application. If you need additional assistance, you may make a one-on-one appointment at a Regional Office. Submit your completed retirement application and required documents in person at a Regional Office or by mail to the address listed on the form.
Be sure to keep a copy of all the documents submitted for your own record.
If you have questions regarding your retirement application, call us at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377).
After You Submit Your Application
We'll send you an acknowledgment letter after we receive your retirement application. We may also contact you if we have questions or need additional information.
Approximately two weeks before your first retirement warrant, we’ll mail you a First Payment Acknowledgment Letter that provides important information about your service retirement, including the date and amount of your first retirement check.
You may sign up to receive your retirement checks through direct deposit at the same time you submit your retirement application. To set up direct deposit online, log in to myCalPERS. Go to the Retirement tab and select Payment Options. Alternatively, you can complete and mail the Direct Deposit Authorization (PDF) to:
CalPERS Benefit Services Division
P.O. Box 942716
Sacramento, California 94229-2716
Nonmember Service Retirement
If you were awarded a portion of your former spouse/domestic partner's CalPERS pension, and the community property court order provided you your own separate CalPERS account with service credit and contributions, you're called a "nonmember." You may collect a monthly retirement benefit, or you may request to refund or roll over your contributions and interest at any time, if eligible (e.g., if you have Second Tier service only and you don't have contributions on your account).
A nonmember retirement is a lifetime benefit. The Nonmember Service Retirement Election Application (PDF) is the main form you'll need to submit to apply for retirement. However, based on your particular situation, there are some additional forms you may need to complete.
Eligibility
The following requirements must be met in order to be eligible:
- On the date of application, the member attained minimum retirement age to receive a service retirement allowance.
- You have attained the minimum age prescribed by the applicable service retirement formula of the member.
- Your former spouse or domestic partner must've been vested for service retirement as of your dissolution date.
Partial Service Retirement
Partial service retirement allows you to reduce your work time, continue working, and receive a partial service retirement allowance. University of California and California State University employees are not eligible for partial service retirement.
Eligibility
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
- You have the minimum years of service credit based on your membership category. For most members, the minimum is five years of CalPERS service credit.
- You reached the normal retirement age for your retirement benefit formula. The normal retirement age is the age you can retire without a reduction for retiring early.
- You work full time as a state miscellaneous, state industrial, or public agency member (if the employer contracts for this benefit).
How It Works
If you're eligible for partial service retirement:
- You may reduce your work schedule by at least 20 percent, but not more than 60 percent.
- Your allowance is based on the reduction of your work time. For example, if you reduce your work time by 30 percent, your allowance would be 30 percent of what you would receive if you took a full service retirement and elected the unmodified allowance.
- Your employer must approve your request to reduce your work time for partial retirement.
Once your partial service retirement begins:
- You may decrease your already reduced work time once each fiscal year.
- You may increase your work time only once every five years.
With your employer's approval, you may end your partial service retirement at any time and return to full-time employment. Once you withdraw, you cannot reapply for five years. To see if partial service retirement will work for you, read Partial Service Retirement (PUB 14) (PDF).
How to Apply
Before you apply, you must first receive approval from your employer. Complete the Partial Service Retirement Application available from your personnel office and the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR).
Submit your completed application to CalPERS at least 60 days before the effective date of your partial retirement. The effective date must be the same date of your work-time reduction and can be the first day of any pay period.
Disability & Industrial Disability Retirement
If you have a disabling injury or illness that prevents you from performing your usual job duties with your current employer, you may be eligible for disability or industrial disability retirement. If your disability or industrial disability retirement is approved, you'll receive a monthly retirement payment for the rest of your life or until you recover from your injury or illness.
Generally, you must have at least five years of service credit to be eligible. Second Tier members must have 10 years.
Some exceptions apply to the service requirement. Contact us to see if you qualify.
If you're a patrol member in Bargaining Unit 5 of the Department of California Highway Patrol, you may be eligible for an enhanced industrial disability retirement benefit. You must've sustained a serious bodily injury as the result of a single event and must be unable to participate in substantial gainful employment.
Steps to Apply
You, or someone on your behalf (such as your employer or Power of Attorney), can apply for disability and industrial disability retirement. You don't need to wait until your condition is "permanent and stationary" under Workers' Compensation to apply.
To apply, read Disability Retirement Election Application (PUB 35) (PDF). The publication includes the forms needed to submit a complete application package, as well as the Retirement Allowance Estimate Request (PDF). We recommend you request an estimate prior to applying for disability or industrial disability retirement.
You can also take the online Member Education class, Completing Your Disability Retirement Application, which will teach you how to complete the Disability Retirement Application forms and submit a complete application package.
After You Submit Your Application
After we receive your application, we'll send you an acknowledgment letter letting you know we have received it. When we receive all of the required documentation and forms, we will begin the process of reviewing your file to see whether the information is current and complete, and if a determination can be made. If not, we may need to request additional information or an independent medical examination.
Generally, we can review a disability or industrial disability retirement application within three months after we receive all the required information. However, if we need additional information, the determination process can take longer. If your application is approved, you will be retired and begin receiving a monthly benefit payment from CalPERS usually within four to six weeks.
CalPERS can expedite retirement processing for those who are facing a terminal illness. If this is your case, contact us or your employer immediately to discuss an emergency retirement.
Other Considerations
Alternate Retirement Program
The Alternate Retirement Program (ARP) is administered by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) and is for new, first-time state miscellaneous and industrial employees hired between August 11, 2004, and June 30, 2013.
There are several important milestones in the first four years of state miscellaneous industrial employment that will transition you into full CalPERS membership.
First 24 Months: ARP Period
- You don't receive CalPERS retirement service credit.
- Your retirement contributions go into your ARP account managed by CalHR.
- Your time worked counts toward retirement and health benefit vesting.
Month 25 Forward
- You begin to earn CalPERS retirement service credit.
- You move from ARP into CalPERS First Tier membership.
- Your ARP funds remain at CalHR.
- Your retirement contributions begin to go to CalPERS.
Months 47-49: Decision Time
You'll receive a notice of your upcoming ARP election period in the 45 th month following your ARP enrollment date. You'll have three options regarding what to do with your ARP funds once your 47 th month arrives:
- Option 1 – Receive CalPERS Service Credit
Transfer your ARP funds to CalPERS and receive retirement service credit for the actual amount of time you worked at no additional cost. More service credit increases your pension benefit allowances. - Option 2 – Distribution of Funds
Receive a lump sum distribution. No service credit is earned for your ARP period; however, your time worked will count toward your retirement and health vesting. - Option 3 – Transfer to Savings Plus 401(k) at CalHR
No service credit is earned for your ARP period; however, your time worked will count toward your retirement and health vesting.
If you select Option 2 or 3 during the ARP election period, or take no action, you can purchase your ARP time with CalPERS at a future date, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. However, the cost to you'll be substantially higher than the amount in your ARP account. If you wait to purchase your ARP time at a future date, the law requires you to pay the entire present value cost of the service credit, which includes member and employer contribution amounts and is based on your highest pay rate and other actuarial factors.
To help you make important decisions that can affect your future CalPERS retirement benefit:
- Contact your personnel office.
- Refer to our Alternate Retirement Program (PUB 10) (PDF).
- Visit CalHR.
Transitioning from ARP to Full CalPERS Membership
At the end of your 2-year (24-month) ARP period, you'll begin earning CalPERS service credit and receiving an Annual Member Statement each fall. This statement provides a record of your CalPERS contributions, interest, and service credit. Your service while in ARP will not be included in the total until you either:
- Elect to transfer your ARP funds to CalPERS during your ARP election period (47 th to 49 th month following your ARP enrollment date)
- Purchase ARP service credit any time after your ARP election period but before retirement
To view your Annual Member Statement, you'll need to log in to myCalPERS.
If you separate from CalPERS-covered employment, refund your ARP contributions, and return to CalPERS contracted employment; you can elect to purchase your ARP service. The cost for purchasing ARP service credit is calculated at present value. Present value cost includes member and employer contribution amounts and is based on your highest pay rate and other actuarial factors.
Membership Type
As you transition into CalPERS, you'll be either a state miscellaneous or industrial First Tier retirement plan member, based on your job classification (contact your personnel office for more information). However, after your 24 th month of employment, you should receive notice from your personnel office that you're eligible to move to the state miscellaneous or industrial Second Tier plan. You'll have 180 days to make this election.
Effective July 1, 2013, Second Tier members started paying 1.5 percent of earnings in monthly member contributions. This contribution rate will be adjusted annually. Since members in the Second Tier plan make minimal contributions, this plan offers a reduced level of benefits at retirement. Be sure to carefully review the information you're provided before making your decision.
Continuing Benefits & Deductions
Health Coverage
If you're currently a member of the CalPERS Health Program, you must meet specific requirements to continue your health insurance coverage into retirement, or maintain the right to re-enroll in the future after retirement.
To continue your CalPERS health benefit coverage after retirement, you must meet both of the criteria below:
- Be enrolled in (or eligible for) a CalPERS health plan upon separation from employment, either in your own name or as a dependent
- Retire within 120 days of your separation from employment
If you don't meet both requirements before you retire, you'll lose all future rights to be in the CalPERS Health Program. If your family members are included in your CalPERS health plan at the time of your death, their enrollment will continue automatically if they're eligible for and receive a monthly allowance.
Public Agency or School Members
If your employer doesn't contract with CalPERS for health benefits, contact your employer to determine if your benefits will continue.
Dental Coverage (State Members Only)
To continue dental coverage into retirement, you must:
- Be enrolled in (or eligible for) a state-sponsored dental plan on the date of your separation from employment
- Retire within 120 days of your separation
Long-Term Care
If you're enrolled in CalPERS Long-Term Care and have premiums deducted from your paycheck, you'll need to call (800) 982-1775 before you retire to find out how to continue your premium deductions.
Other Deduction Payments
Many types of payments can be deducted from your monthly retirement check, such as car payments, retiree association fees, charitable contributions, savings account deposits, etc. To initiate or add these deductions after you retire, contact the provider and complete their direct authorization deduction request. The request then needs to be forwarded to CalPERS.
Golden Handshake
A "Golden Handshake" is an early retirement incentive that can be offered by your employer. In order to offer a Golden Handshake, there must be an impending layoff and your employer can demonstrate that enough savings can be realized to pay for the Golden Handshake benefits. Your employer must contract with CalPERS and pay the cost for this early retirement incentive.
Current law allows for a Golden Handshake to provide an additional two years of service credit. To be eligible, you must retire within the establish time period (usually between 60 to 120 days). If you retire under a Golden Handshake and then receive unemployment benefits or reinstate from retirement, you'll lose this benefit.
Government Employees
Under current law, there are several different provisions the state can use to offer a Golden Handshake, depending on the branch of government.
- Judicial - The Chief Justice must announce an offering of the benefit to judicial support staff.
- Legislature - Each house of the Legislature must make a resolution to provide this benefit to legislative support staff.
- State agencies, including California State University - The Governor must sign an Executive Order to provide this benefit to state employees.
Nonmember Information
If you were awarded a portion of your former spouse/domestic partner's CalPERS pension, and the community property court order provided you your own separate CalPERS account with service credit and contributions, you're called a "nonmember." You may collect a monthly retirement benefit, or you may request to refund or roll over your contributions and interest at any time, if eligible (e.g., if you have Second Tier service only you may not have contributions on your account).
If the community property court order provides for a future benefit, you'll begin receiving a monthly allowance once your former spouse/domestic partner retires. You're called a "community property payee."
Refer to your filed community property court order, or the letter CalPERS mailed to you after the community property resolution, to determine what type of community property interest you were awarded. You can also contact us directly.
Benefits & Resources
As a nonmember, you have many of the same resources available as a regular member. You can:
- Create an online myCalPERS account.
- Make an appointment at a Regional Office (identify yourself as a nonmember).
- Register for online and/or instructor-led retirement courses and webinars through our Education Center.
- Request two CalPERS-generated estimates of your non-member retirement allowance within a 12-month period (must be within one year of the requested retirement date).
- Review the Nonmember Retirement Allowance Estimate Request (PDF) or contact us to have the form mailed to you.
- Are not eligible for CalPERS health or reciprocal benefits
- Can't apply for retirement online and need to submit a hardcopy Nonmember Service Retirement Election Application (PUB 44) (PDF).
- Can't retire early if your former spouse/domestic partner retired early on a disability retirement (you both must reach minimum service retirement age before you can apply for retirement)
Collecting Retirement
If you were awarded your own CalPERS nonmember account, you're eligible to retire as soon as both you and your former spouse/domestic partner reach minimum retirement age. Your former spouse/domestic partner must've been vested for service retirement as of your dissolution date.
If your former spouse/domestic partner passes away before meeting minimum service retirement age, you'll become ineligible to receive a monthly retirement benefit. You may refund or roll over the contributions and interest, if any, awarded to you at any time, or you may have an opportunity to amend the original court order. Contact us for more information.
If you're eligible to retire, review Completing Your Nonmember Service Retirement Election Application (PUB 44) (PDF) to get started.
- The minimum retirement age is 50, 52, or 55 years depending on the retirement formula associated to the service credit on your account.
- Your monthly benefit may or may not increase if you wait to retire. Your benefit is calculated using the retirement formula associated to the service you were awarded and is specific to your former spouse's/domestic partner's membership classification.
- You can find your retirement formula and membership classification by logging in to myCalPERS. You can also contact us and we can provide the information to you.
- Retirement formula examples include 3% @ 50 (State Safety Benefits) and 2% @ 55 (Local Miscellaneous Benefits).
- Review the member forms and publications specific to your classification to help you understand how your retirement benefit is calculated.
Important Retirement Dates
- If you submit your application more than nine months after your requested retirement date, the law says your retirement date will be the first day of the month in which CalPERS receives your application.
- The effective date of your retirement is the date you designate on the application, or the day following the court-filed date of the Stipulated Domestic Relations Order, whichever is later.
Social Security Offset
If you worked for a federal, state, or local government where you didn't pay Social Security taxes, the pension you receive from that agency could reduce your Social Security benefits. Visit the Social Security & Your CalPERS Pension page to see the relationship between the two benefits.
There are two laws that may impact benefits:
- The Government Pension Offset (GPO) applies only if you receive a government pension and are eligible for Social Security benefits as a spouse or widow.
- The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) affects how your retirement or disability benefits are figured if you receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security.
Special Power of Attorney
Through the CalPERS Special Power of Attorney, you can appoint a representative(s) to make retirement-related decisions on your behalf, should you become incapacitated. The CalPERS special power of attorney grants authority specifically for CalPERS retirement issues. For this reason, we recommend filing a Special Power of Attorney form (PDF), regardless of whether you already have a power of attorney set up through another resource.
Tax Withholding
Unless you submit an election for tax withholding, CalPERS is required to withhold taxes from your monthly allowance based on the tax tables for a married person with three allowances.
By law, all CalPERS retirees with taxable allowances are required to select one of the three withholding choices:
- A specific dollar amount withheld (state withholding only)
- No taxes withheld
- Taxes withheld according to the tax tables, based on marital or head of household status and numbers of allowances (you may also add a specific dollar amount to this election)
If you choose one of the tax tables, taxes won't be withheld unless your gross allowance exceeds the minimum amount listed on the tax table for your filing status (e.g., single, married, number of dependents, etc.). You may change your tax withholding election at any time by submitting a Tax Withholding Election (PDF) form.
For more information regarding tax considerations, refer to the Service Retirement Election Application (PUB 43) (PDF, 1.33 MB). After you retire, you'll begin to receive an annual 1099R form.
Temporary Annuity
The temporary annuity is an optional benefit you can choose that provides additional monthly income to temporarily enhance your pension from CalPERS.
The type of temporary annuity you're eligible for depends on your CalPERS membership date:
- Membership date as of January 1, 2002, or later – The benefit is payable from your retirement date to a specific age that you select – whole age from 62 to 70. You must have CalPERS service coordinated with Social Security to be eligible for this benefit. The amount of temporary annuity you request cannot exceed your estimated Social Security benefit. Contact the Social Security Administration before applying for a CalPERS service retirement.
- Membership date prior to January 1, 2002 – The benefit is payable from your retirement date to a specific age that you select – age 59 ½ or any whole age from 60 to 68. You can also specify the dollar amount you want to receive, within certain limitations. The amount of temporary annuity is not dependent on the amount of your estimated Social Security benefit.
This benefit is not free. The temporary annuity benefit is funded by a lifetime reduction to your retirement allowance.
