Regardless of your age, you should have a plan for your retirement. Even if you don't expect to retire for many years, it is never too early to begin planning for your retirement.

If you are in CalPERS you need to know how leaving your current job and working in another school district or another public agency or outside industry will affect you. If you become a teacher can you stay in CalPERS? What if you left at age 40 and went to work in private industry, would you lose your retirement? What would happen if you became injured or ill before reaching retirement age? What happens if you die before you retire? Where do your retirement funds go?

Answers to these and many other questions are easily available through CSEA, or by calling CalPERS or visiting the CalPERS Web site at www.calpers.ca.gov.

If you are within five years of retirement, be sure to attend a Pre-Retirement seminar near you. CSEA’s Pre-Retirement Resource Committee members arrange seminars throughout the state each year. Seminars are always on Saturdays so members have an opportunity to attend without interfering with work.

Frequently asked questions about retirement

Want to know when you are eligible to retire? Wondering what formula is used to calculate your retirement benefit? These are among the most common questions classified employees ask.

Attend a CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminar

Whether you'll retire next year or in 20 years, you should attend a FREE CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminar.

Social Security for California’s classified employees

Will your Social Security benefit be reduced because you receive a CalPERS pension? The answer is simple: If you have always contributed to both Social Security and CalPERS on all earnings on which your CalPERS (or any other pension) is based, your Social Security should not be reduced.

How will you spend your retirement?

Many people think of retirement only in financial terms. However, retirement is one of the most emotional transitions you will experience in your life. The earlier you start preparing, the easier it may be to retire in the lifestyle that you choose.

CalPERS Benefits Education Events

"It's never too early, it's never too late." Start taking an active role in planning for your retirement by attending a free, CalPERS Benefits Education Event at one of 20 different locations throughout the State.

Rules for working after retirement

If you violate CalPERS regulations, you may be forced to return the retirement money you received while working in that position. Learn the do's don'ts for working after retirement.

Retiree Unit

Just because classified employees are no longer actively employed does not mean that they are not an integral part of their union. Find out what the union's retirees are doing.

Retiree Magazine

Stay up-to-date on CSEA member benefits, services and important issues affecting retirees, with the Retiree Unit’s official newsletter. The Retiree is published quarterly and mailed to all members of the Retiree Unit. It is also posted on csea.com.

Retirement Security

As workers, we earn our retirement. It’s not a gift, and it certainly isn’t a benefit we can afford to lose. CSEA was founded in 1927 by a group of Oakland school custodians set out to secure retirement benefits. Today, their legacy is one that we fight to protect every day.