CalPERS
Contributions
Understanding Your Benefits
Retirement Eligibility & Process
Calculating Your Benefits
FAQ
Member Login & Contact Info
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CalPERS is pension plan that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for California classified public school staff. As a member of the CalPERS Program, you’re entitled to a guaranteed lifetime monthly retirement benefit. Your retirement benefit is based on a formula, not on how much you contribute or how well investments perform.
Contributions
Contributions
You contribute a portion of your salary to CalPERS, and Alliance also makes a contribution that is equivalent to a portion of your salary. The 2024-25 Contribution Rates as a percentage of earnings are:
Alliance: 26.68%*
PEPRA Members: 8%
Classic Members: 7%
*Alliance's contributions are not credited to your account, but are deposited into a pooled fund to fund the benefits paid to all members and beneficiaries.
Understanding Your Benefits
Understanding Your Benefits
Retirement Eligibility & Process
Retirement Eligibility & Process
Want to know when you will be eligible to retire?
If you joined CalPERS on or after January 1, 2013: you're eligible to receive a retirement benefit when you reach age 52 and have at least five years of service credit.
If you joined CalPERS on or before December 31, 2012: you're eligible to receive a retirement benefit when you reach age 50 and have at least five years of service credit.
Ready to retire? Click for more information about the Retirement Application Process.
*You may be able to retire with fewer than five years of service credit if you retire concurrently for service from another eligible California public retirement system, such as the California Public Employees' Retirement System. See the CalPERS Member Handbook for more information about eligibility for service retirement and concurrent retirement.
Calculating Your Benefits
Calculating Your Benefits
Your retirement benefit is based on the following formula set by law, so it is important to understand how your benefit is calculated:
Service Credit x Benefit Factor x Final Compensation = Member Retirement Benefit
CalPERS Resources: Understanding the Retirement Calculation Formula
FAQ
FAQ
Do I need additional savings for retirement?
According to financial professionals, you may need 80% to 90% of your final salary to retire comfortably. Use the calculator above to determine what your monthly CalPERS benefit will be. Need additional savings? Alliance's Voluntary 403(b) Savings Plan is designed to complement your retirement pension benefit and support your goal for a secure future. Contributing to your 403(b) account through tax-sheltered payroll deductions is a convenient way to build up your retirement income. You control how much to save and invest — and you can make changes at any time.
How can I designate a beneficiary?
How can I designate a beneficiary?
If you wish to designate a beneficiary or change your beneficiary designation, complete and submit the Pre-Retirement Lump Sum Beneficiary Designation form.
How do I change my address with CalPERS?
Notify Human Resources of your address change and we’ll update your information with CalPERS.
Can I take a loan from my CalPERS account?
Current law does not allow you to borrow from, or make a loan against, the member contributions in your CalPERS account. There are no provisions for emergency or hardship loans.
What happens to my CalPERS account if I change jobs?
If you change employment from a job covered by CalPERS to another job covered by CalPERS, you can continue receiving credit under the program.
If you change employment from a job covered by one retirement system to employment covered by the other system (for example CalSTRS to CalPERS or vice versa), you may be able to choose whether to remain with the previous system or switch to the new one. If the new position is covered under a new retirement system, you must submit a Retirement System Election form to your Human Resources within 60 days of your hire date if you wish to stay with your current retirement system. If you do nothing, you will automatically become a member of the retirement system that covers your new position.
If you do decide to change systems, you should know that the rules can be complex, and your choice can have a significant impact on your retirement benefits. The following resource is available to help members make the decision: Join CalSTRS? Join CalPERS?
Can I purchase service credit?
CalPERS offers a variety of service credit purchase options to eligible members. To get an idea of what you may be eligible to purchase and the potential cost, log in to your myCalPERS account and search for purchase options. Click here for more information.
Member Login & Contact Info
Member Login & Contact Info
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