CalPERS Retirement Checklist: 12 Months to First Check

12 to 9 Months Before Retirement

Verify your CalPERS account. Log into myCalPERS and review your Annual Member Statement. Confirm your membership tier (Classic or PEPRA), total years of service credit, and reported compensation history. Flag any gaps or discrepancies now — corrections take time.

Generate your retirement estimate. Use the myCalPERS portal to run an estimate under your target retirement date. Review all payout options (Unmodified Allowance, Option 1, 2, 2W, 3, 3W, and 4) and note the monthly amounts. Run estimates for two or three dates to see how age factor quarters affect your benefit.

Finalize service credit purchases. If you withdrew contributions from CalPERS during a previous separation, request a redeposit cost estimate now. Same for military service credit or service prior to membership. Make the purchase election before retirement. For eligible purchases made on or before December 31, 2027, an outstanding balance may be paid in full or through an Actuarial Equivalent Reduction (AER) at retirement. For purchases made on or after January 1, 2028, the full amount must be paid before retirement (Government Code Section 21050).

Establish reciprocal links. If you have service in another California public retirement system (CalSTRS, a county '37 Act system, UCRP), submit the Reciprocal Self-Certification Form to CalPERS. Reciprocal retirement requires concurrent filing with all systems on the same date.

Submit domestic relations orders. If a former spouse has a community property claim against your pension, submit the court-certified divorce decree and QDRO to CalPERS for pre-approval. This process can take months to resolve.

6 to 4 Months Before Retirement

Attend a CalPERS education session. Complete an instructor-led or online Member Education class, such as "Completing Your Retirement Application." Schedule a one-on-one counselor appointment at a CalPERS Regional Office if you have complex questions about your specific situation.

Gather vital records. You will need certified copies of your birth certificate, birth certificates for any named lifetime beneficiaries, your marriage certificate or domestic partnership registration, and any divorce decrees.

Audit your health benefits eligibility. Check with your employer's HR department to confirm your PEMHCA vesting percentage and the dollar amount your employer will contribute to your retiree health premium. Confirm that your planned retirement date falls within 120 days of your last day on payroll.

Coordinate Medicare if 65 or older. If you are retired, age 65 or older, and eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, CalPERS generally requires enrollment in Parts A and B to continue CalPERS health coverage. If you or your spouse is still working and you have active employer group coverage, you may be able to defer Part B; ask CalPERS what certification is required.

120 Days Before Retirement: The Filing Window Opens

Submit your application. File the Service Retirement Election Application online through myCalPERS or by mailing the paper PUB 43 form. Select your payout option and name your beneficiaries.

Get any required spouse signature. A spouse or registered domestic partner generally must sign unless the option pays that person 100% of your monthly allowance and you name them as the sole beneficiary for any lump-sum benefits. For a paper application, have a required signature witnessed by a Notary Public or a CalPERS Regional Office representative.

Set up tax withholding. Complete the federal and state tax withholding sections of the application. You can adjust withholding after retirement, but getting it right initially avoids a tax surprise on your first check.

Confirm direct deposit. Enter your banking information in myCalPERS or include a voided check with your paper application.

Final Month: Separation

Coordinate with HR. Confirm your exact last day on payroll with your employer. After you separate, your employer submits a certification to CalPERS listing your final pay rate and unused sick leave hours. Your sick leave converts to service credit at 8 hours per day and 0.004 years per day.

Bridge any health coverage gaps. If there is a gap between your employer coverage end date and your CalPERS retiree coverage start date, arrange COBRA or other interim coverage.

After Your First Check

Verify the initial payment. After your application is approved, CalPERS says your monthly benefit payment usually begins within four to six weeks. Check that your service credit reflects the sick leave balance your employer certified, which may differ from any estimate you entered.

Use the 30-day window wisely. You have exactly 30 calendar days from the date your first check is issued to change your payout option, modify your beneficiary, or cancel your retirement entirely. On day 31, your election becomes permanently irrevocable under Government Code Section 21472. Do not let this window close without reviewing your choice one final time.

For a printable version of this timeline plus worksheets for every step, the CalPERS Service Retirement Guide includes the full countdown checklist with verification steps.

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