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Human Resources

Planning Your Retirement

Congratulations on your decision to retire.  This is a very exciting time, and we are happy to assist in your journey into retirement.  We hope the following information is helpful to guide you through the stages of the retirement process.

CalPERS processes your retirement, and the campus processes your separation into retirement which includes the transition of benefits, when applicable.

CalPERS recommends taking steps towards retirement one year in advance, but don't worry, CalPERS is there to assist with any planned retirement date.  As well, retirement processing can be expedited for those facing a , by contacting  immediately to discuss this situation.

Preparing For Retirement

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  • Retirement Checklist

    Use these resources to keep you on track with the process:

  • CalPERS Resources

    It is recommended to attend a CalPERS class and schedule an appointment to meet with a CalPERS Retirement Specialist to answer questions about your retirement and the application process.

    • (Pub 1)
    • (Pub 43)
  • Choosing a Date

    Use the CalPERS Retirement Estimate Calculator to assist in determining the best date, as different dates can impact your benefits.

    Things to consider:

    • Your retirement date can be any day of the week, even Saturday or Sunday.
    • Your retirement date must be at least one-day after your employment separation date (cannot be the same day).
    • If your separation and retirement dates are more than one-day a part, there may be a gap in your medical coverage (See Chart).
    • Upcoming Birth Date, 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4 year may increase the benefit factor (refer to your )
    • Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): You are eligible to receive your first COLA on May 1 of the second calendar year after retirement.   If you retire, December 31, 2024, you become eligible for COLA on May 1, 2026; However if you retire, January 1, 2025, then your COLA eligibility occurs May 1, 2027.
    • If you have established reciprocity with another California public retirement system, your CalPERS retirement benefit could be based on your highest compensation earned under all systems if you retire from each system on the same day.

Applying For Retirement

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  • How to Apply

    Once you've determined your retirement date, you can complete the CalPERS Retirement Application online or submit a paper application.  There are certain limitations, such as a community property hold, that will prevent online submission. If one of these limitations applies, you'll need to submit a paper application.

    Online Application via MyCalPERS Account:
    1. Select the Apply for Retirement link shown in the blue Retirement block.
    2. Select the Retirement drop down and then select Apply for Retirement.

    Paper Application:
    (PUB 43)
    Mail to CalPERS as listed on the application.

    for both online and paper versions

    CalPERS can't accept an online or paper retirement application more than 120 days prior to your retirement date.

  • What to Expect After Submission

    You'll receive a message stating that you've successfully submitted your retirement application.

    You may need to submit other supporting documents, such as a marriage license or birth certification. These forms can be uploaded.

    On the "Apply for Retirement" page, you can view or cancel your application, and upload any necessary documents.


Separation of Employment

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  • Vacation Balance

    At time of separation, you will receive a lump sum payment of any unused vacation balance (if applicable).

    Deferral - You may have the option to defer some or all your vacation payment to an established CSU Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP). If interested, contact the Payroll Department at least 60 days prior to separation date to allow adequate time to review and process.

    Vacation prior to Separation - If you wish to request the use of vacation time prior to separation, you follow your normal guidelines of requesting time off and absence reporting.  This is not an automatic approval, as the department must ensure business needs can be met.

  • Sick Leave Balance

    If you retire, one day after separation, Payroll will automatically report your unused sick leave balance to CalPERS.  If you retire within 120 days of separation, CalPERS will send a request to the employer for the information.  If you retire 121 days after separation, no sick leave balance is applied.

    CalPERS will convert the reported unused sick leave balance to additional service credit. The conversion process takes about 6 to 8 weeks, and any portion not paid previously, will be paid retroactively.

    2,000 hours equals one year of service credit. To estimate your sick leave balance, take your sick leave hours and divide it by 2,000.

  • Letter of Resignation due to Retirement

    Once you are ready to communicate your decision to separate from your position(s), you will need to provide written notice to your supervisor(s), copy the OHR Benefits office at hrbenefits@csusm.edu.

    It is important to reference the following key factors, in your resignation letter:

    • resignation due to retirement
    • last day worked and/or separation date
    • retirement date

    Example when taking manager pre-approved vacation days prior to separation:  Please accept my letter of resignation due to retirement, my last day worked is 11/15/25, and will be taking vacation up to my separation date of 12/30/25.  My retirement date is 12/31/25.

    Example when not taking vacation days prior to separation:  Please accept my letter of resignation due to retirement,  my separation date is 12/30/25 and my retirement date is 12/31/25.

    Note:  Changes can be made to your retirement date with CalPERS, but you are not able to change your employer separation date without authorization.


CSU Benefits in Retirement -

Retiree Benefit Summary

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  • Vesting

    Employees are vested (eligible to receive state-shared health and dental benefits) when they have 5 or 10 years of CalPERS Membership, based on the below information:

    Those subject to the 10-year health vesting period are new employees hired by the CSU for the first time and who become a CalPERS Member on or after:

    • July 1, 2017 - New Faculty (Unit 3)
    • July 1, 2018 - New Non-Represented Employees (MPP, C99 or E99) or New Represented Employees
      (Units 1,2,4,5,6,7,9 and 10)
    • July 1, 2019 - New Teaching Associates (Unit 11)

    Exceptions to the above 10-year health vesting:

    • Faculty (Unit 3) working for the CSU prior to July 1, 2017, who become a CalPERS Member after July 1, 2017.
    • Non-represented employees (MPP, C99 or E99) and represented employees (1,2,4,5,6,7,9 and 10) working for the CSU prior to July 1, 2018, who become a CalPERS Member after July 1, 2018.
    • Teaching Associates (Unit 11) working for the CSU prior to July 1, 2019, who become a CalPERS Member after July 1, 2019.

    Note: Prior State Employment (non CSU) is not used to determine exclusion from the 10 year vesting period, as it is not considered "CSU" employment; However, CalPERS counts service credit earned at any CalPERS public agency and public contract agencies, so the 10 years vesting does not have to be just with the CSU.

  • Medical

    When you have determined your separation and retirement dates, contact the OHR Benefits Office (hrbenefits@csusm.edu) with this information, and they will assist with the transition of medical benefits into Retirement.

    Refer to the Retiree Benefit Summary Booklet for information related to these benefits and their rates. 

    Note:  You will receive a health coverage cancellation notice to acknowledge the end of your Employer Group Coverage, but as long as you retire within 30 days of separation, your Retiree Coverage will begin without a lapse (see Chart).

  • FERP (Faculty Early Retirement Program)

    Information on the FERP Program is with Faculty Affairs.

    When you have determined your separation and retirement dates, contact the OHR Benefits Office (hrbenefits@csusm.edu) with this information, and your intent to FERP, and they will assist with the transition of medical benefits into retirement.

    While in the FERP Program and you remain at an eligible time base, the CSU will pay 100% of the monthly Enhanced Dental premiums (HMO or PPO) for FERP Participant and all eligible dependents.  As well, the CSU will pay 100% of the monthly Basic Vision premiums for FERP Participant and all eligible dependents, and offer the voluntary enhanced vision plan (VSP Premier) at the current employee rate.

    The FERP Program does not change health plans made at retirement.

    At the completion of your FERP Participation, please contact the OHR Benefits Office for assistance with transitioning your FERP Dental and Vision coverage to Retiree.

  • Medicare

    If you or a dependent deferred Medicare Enrollment (Part A and/or B) while employed and covered under a CSU CalPERS Health Plan, you will need to enroll in Medicare at time of retirement, under a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

    If not already provided by the OHR Benefits Office prior to separation, please contact the OHR Benefits Office to request a "Request for Employment Information" form (Medicare CMS-L564).  This form is required to be included with the Medicare Part B enrollment under a SEP to avoid late penalty fees.

    Medicare enrollment is completed with the Social Security Administration, and questions should be directed to the SSA.

    Once enrolled in Medicare, the retiree will need to contact CalPERS to be enrolled in a CalPERS Medicare Plan to avoid cancellation of their CalPERS health coverage.   

    Here are links to additional resources:






    The OHR Benefits Office will provide information to assist with these enrollments, if separation and retirement dates are less than 30 days apart.

    Medicare 101 Monthly Webinar - (1-hour duration)
    Kaiser offers to both KP Members and Non-KP Members, a presentation led by their Retiree Solutions Manager explaining when and how to enroll in Medicare, how Medicare works with the CalPERS health plans, and answer questions, employers may have.

    For dates, times, topics and how to register:

  • Voluntary

    Certain Voluntary Benefits are available at retirement.  Enrollment in these plans is completed with the plan carrier.

    Refer to the Retiree Benefit Summary Booklet for information related to these benefits and their enrollment deadlines.  Questions should be directed to the plan carrier.


Life After Retirement

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  • Retiree Association

    Join the Retiree Association to stay connected with your 大发 family.

    /fsra/index.html

  • Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

    This is an intellectual and social community of inquisitive learners established to engage people over 50 years of age through higher education and the arts.  The program strives to inspire seasoned learners who share intellectual curiosity and a quest for knowledge.

    /el/olli/index.html

  • Working after Retirement

    If you are planning to supplement your CalPERS Pension by working after retirement, you need to know there are specific laws governing the type, timing, and amount of work you can accept without affecting your pension, or how to get reinstated from Retirement.


    Questions should be directed to CalPERS.

  • CSU Retirees

    The CSU Retiree Website is your source of Benefit Information once retired.