Question 1

Am I in CalSTRS or CalPERS?

Accepted Answer

If you are a certificated K-12 teacher, community college instructor, or certain administrator, you are likely a CalSTRS member. Most other California public employees — including school classified staff, state workers, and city/county employees — are CalPERS members. Some careers (e.g., switching from teaching to administration) may build credit in both systems; reciprocity rules then apply at retirement.

Question 2

What is service credit?

Accepted Answer

Service credit is the years (and partial years) you have worked under a CalPERS or CalSTRS covered position. One year of full-time employment equals one year of service credit. Part-time employees earn proportional service credit.

Question 3

How do I find out which CalPERS formula I have?

Accepted Answer

Your formula is determined by your employer, your job classification (miscellaneous, safety, etc.), and your hire date. Check your myCalPERS account, your most recent annual statement, your employer's retirement contract with CalPERS, or contact your HR/benefits office. The formula name will look like '2% at 55' or '2.7% at 57' followed by a category like State Miscellaneous or Local Safety.

Question 4

What are the survivor benefit options?

Accepted Answer

CalPERS offers four retirement options: Unmodified (no survivor benefit, highest monthly payment), 100% Survivor (your beneficiary receives the same monthly benefit after your death), 75% Survivor, and 50% Survivor. Choosing a survivor option reduces your monthly pension. The reduction depends on your age and your beneficiary's age at retirement.

Question 5

What is a benefit factor quarter-year cliff?

Accepted Answer

CalPERS benefit factors increase at quarter-year increments. Retiring three months later (e.g., at 55.25 vs 55.00) can raise your benefit factor by a small but non-trivial amount. Multiplied across your full years of service and decades of retirement, this can amount to thousands of dollars. The free CalPERS calculator on this site shows your exact factor at any quarter-year age.

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