Retirement Programs

• What is CalPERS

  • CalPERS is a defined-benefit retirement plan coordinated with Social Security, and is the State of California’s retirement system. You are automatically enrolled if appointed: 

    • Full-time for a period that exceeds six months;
    • Half-time averaging 20 hours per week for one year or longer; or
    • Half-time (7.5 units) or more for 3 consecutive quarters.
      
      

    Employees who are members of CalPERS are in the State Miscellaneous, First Tier plan or one of the Public Safety plans, depending on classification. More information can be found in the brochures below:

    • Welcome to CalPERS - A Benefits Guide for State Members [pdf]
• How are retirement benefits calculated?

  • Retirement benefits are calculated using a defined formula rather than contributions and earnings to a savings plan. Your years of service credit, age at retirement, and final compensation are used in the formula. Retirement formulas vary based on your occupation and your CalPERS membership date. 

    Visit Retirement (requires SJSUOne/CSU login) for additional details.

• Do I get to keep my health insurance when I retire?

  • If you are vested and retire from a CSU in a benefit eligible position, you are eligible to continue your Health, Dental, and Vision benefits into retirement. 

    • Hired prior to July 1, 2017?
      • You are eligible for Health and Dental with five (5) years of CalPERS service or reciprocity.
    • Faculty member hired July 1, 2017 or later with no prior CalPERS or CSU service?
    • You are eligible to continue Health and Dental with ten (10) years of CalPERS service.
    • Staff or management employee hired (or became a member of CalPERS) on or after July 1, 2018?
    • You are eligible to continue Health and Dental with ten (10) years of CalPERS service. 
      
      

    In order to qualify for health, dental, and vision in retirement, you must retire within 120 days of separation from the CSU. Retirees pay the same contribution as active CSU employees. The vision benefit can be continued at the retiree's expense. For more information see Retirement Benefits.

• Faculty-only retirement programs

  • Two additional retirement programs are available for eligible faculty members:

    • Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP)
    • Pre-Retirement Reduction in Time Base (PRTB)
• Retirement programs for part-time, seasonal, temporary employees

  • The Part-time, Seasonal, Temporary (PST) retirement program is for all non-CalPERS eligible employees. This is a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, administered by the Department of Personnel Administration under the Savings Plus Program?

    You contribute 7.5% of your gross pay into the PST plan. No employer contributions are made. 

    Employees who participate in the PST retirement program do not contribute to Social Security. For more information, see the PST Fact Sheet. 

    If you become a CalPERS member after belonging to the PST retirement plan you have two options for your PST funds: 

    • Use your funds to purchase CalPERS service credit to add to your years of service
    • You may be able to request an In-Service Withdrawal; see the 457 Voluntary In-Service Withdrawal Request form for the eligibility rules and the PST website for other options

Would you like more information about retirement planning?