CalPERS Benefits Education Event Details

These classes are only for participants who are eligible for CalPERS health benefits.

Early thru Mid-Career

It's important to have a good understanding of your health benefits and options. You'll learn about the role of your health benefits officer, eligibility and enrollment, contributions and vesting, health plans, COBRA, direct pay, and available tools and resources.

Nearing Retirement

We'll review your CalPERS health benefits, including eligibility and enrollment, to help you prepare for a smooth transition into retirement. You'll learn about the different types of plans that may be available to you, along with Medicare and other useful tools and resources. This class includes a brief review for state members of dental and vision coverage.

Early thru Mid-Career

The earlier you develop an understanding of your retirement benefits, the more prepared you'll be to plan your financial future. In this class you'll learn the basics about the different sources of retirement income, how your CalPERS retirement is calculated, purchasing service credit, pre-retirement death benefits, what happens if you leave your employer, the importance of establishing a CalPERS Special Power of Attorney, and other useful tools and resources.

Nearing Retirement

Retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter, so it's important to understand your retirement benefits and be prepared to make informed decisions. In this class, you'll learn about the different types of CalPERS retirement, the three factors used in your pension calculation, the importance of establishing a CalPERS Special Power of Attorney, working after retirement, and other useful tools and resources.

Save & Invest For Your Retirement Early thru Mid-Career

In addition to your CalPERS retirement benefit, another way to enhance your retirement through a 401(k), 457(b) or 403(b) plan. Gain the basic knowledge on how your future CalPERS pension, Social Security benefit, and monies from additional sources can work together to support your optimal retirement plan.

This class is presented by the Savings Plus Program, which provides the 401(k) and 457 plans for state employees. The information provided in the Save & Invest For Your Retirement class is beneficial to all CalPERS members. If you're a public agency or school member, contact your employer or plan administrator about the plan options available to you.

Save & Invest Into Retirement

This class will help you evaluate your retirement needs and provide ideas for efficiently managing your assets. You'll learn about new retirement risks, the importance of reassessing your retirement needs, and how to use 401(k) and 457 plans to your advantage. In addition, you'll learn ways to minimize risk to create a dependable and lasting income stream.

This class is presented by the Savings Plus Program, which provides the 401(k) and 457 plans for state employees. The information provided in the Save & Invest Into Retirement class is beneficial to all CalPERS members. If you're a public agency or school member, contact your employer or plan administrator about the plan options available to you.

Everyone

Choosing a retirement option is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when applying for retirement. Attend this class to discover valuable information on our CalPERS website and the helpful tools available in your myCalPERS account, including how to run an estimate. If you generate your own estimate ahead of time, you can follow along during the class to gain a better understanding of your retirement options.

Everyone

Gain a general understanding of the Social Security benefits available to you and your family. Topics include Social Security eligibility, benefits, calculations, and Medicare. We will also provide a brief overview of the Social Security Fairness Act. In addition, you'll learn how to access your my Social Security account and the features and resources available.

Representatives are available to provide information related to the CalPERS 457 Plan and the Supplemental Contributions Plan. The CalPERS 457 Plan is for participating public agency and school employees (not employed by the State of California) and offers both a pre-tax, and Roth after-tax contribution option. The after-tax CalPERS Supplemental Contributions Plan is for state employees and members of Judges' Retirement Systems I and II.

Members who are eligible for CalPERS health benefits can speak with a CalPERS representative about eligibility and enrollment rules and verify your eligibility if you aren't sure. CalPERS representatives can also provide other useful information and resources which can assist you in making informed decisions regarding your health benefits.

Whether you are nearing retirement or earlier in your career, CalPERS Regional Office representatives are available to answer questions related to retirement planning, help you enroll in education classes, assist you with your myCalPERS account, review Forms & Publications, and online planning aids such as the Service Credit Cost Estimator and health program tools.

Visit with our service credit purchase experts to discuss service credit purchase options, learn the benefits of purchasing early and calculate a cost estimate for most types, and discuss the request process and payment options which includes rollovers.

The largest classified employees’ union and retiree unit representing classified school and community college employees. You can receive valuable information from representatives on how they can benefit by joining CSEA's Retiree Unit after retirement.

Representatives are available from California State Retirees, Inc., the largest and most experienced organization exclusively representing State of California retirees.

RPEA is the only statewide, non-profit association representing all CalPERS active members and retirees: state, classified school, and public agency.

Savings Plus is a voluntary retirement program that allows California State employees, including active PST employees, to supplement their retirement benefits through pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) payroll contributions. Savings Plus offers the 401(k) and 457(b) Plans. Representatives can provide information about the differences between the plans, investment options, enrolling, lump sum contributions, and ways to help achieve financial goals.

The ScholarShare College Savings Plan is California's tax-advantaged 529 Plan, open to everyone. Many families hope to see their child or loved one graduate from college someday. Investing in education is a smart move and the tax advantages built into ScholarShare can make it an important part of your overall college funding strategy. Representatives will be available to provide information and answer your questions. The plan is sponsored by the ScholarShare Investment Board, an agency of the State of California, and managed by TIAA-CREF, Tuition Financing Inc.

Visit SSA representatives for information about Social Security retirement, disability, spouse, and survivor benefits, Medicare, and the Social Security Fairness Act. Also, learn about the features of the my Social Security website where you can access your Social Security statement, apply for benefits, and more.

Anthem Blue Cross is honored to offer several plans to fit the needs of every CalPERS member. Two PPO plans- PERS Platinum and PERS GOLD give you and your family access to quality care and the freedom to choose your doctors and hospitals, nationwide. These plans are also offered as a Supplement to original Medicare. Our Anthem Traditional and Select HMO plans give you and your family access to quality care, with no cost surprises, allowing you to know the cost upfront. Also offered for our retired and Medicare eligible members is the Anthem Medicare Preferred (PPO), Medicare Advantage plan.

Blue Shield of California is a nonprofit health insurance company offering health plans to CalPERS employees since 2003. Blue Shield of California currently offers three health plans with the broad network Access+ HMO, the select network Trio HMO plan, and the Blue Shield Access+ EPO plan. As of 2022, Blue Shield also offers a nationwide Medicare Advantage plan to eligible members.

For over 40 years, Health Net has supported Californians through various stages of life, and that's what we continue to do. We work to make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve.

The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) helps Medicare beneficiaries of any age make informed choices and provides advocacy when their health care benefits and rights are threatened or denied. HICAP provides free and unbiased individual counseling and advocacy to Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare, Supplemental Insurance, Prescription Drugs and Medicare Advantage plans, Long Term Care Insurance, Medicare Appeals, and Low Income Assistance programs. Individual appointments are available throughout the county with trained volunteer Counselors who are registered with the California Department of Aging. HICAP does not sell, endorse, or recommend any specific insurance product or plan.

Kaiser Permanente is proud to be a trusted healthcare partner and to have cared for CalPERS members for almost 70 years. Kaiser Permanente is committed to providing high-quality, affordable health care services and improving the health of our members and the communities we serve.

OptumRx is a full-service pharmacy benefit provider with a broad network of retail pharmacies, a mail service pharmacy, Specialty Pharmacy, and Infusion Services. OptumRx manages the prescription benefits for the following health plans: Anthem Blue Cross PPO and HMO, HealthNet, Sharp, UnitedHealthcare, and Western Health Advantage. OptumRx does not manage the prescription benefits for Blue Shield or Kaiser health plans.

Sharp Health Plan is proud to provide CalPERS members with access to award-winning care from our nationally recognized physicians and hospitals at Sharp HealthCare. We are the only locally based not-for-profit commercial health plan in San Diego, and we're honored to serve you. And now, CalPERS' highest member-rated Commercial plan is also the only 5-Star Medicare Advantage Plan with access to Sharp HealthCare. Find out why better health insurance matters.

At UnitedHealthcare, we serve millions of people from their earliest years through their working lives and into retirement. What unites us is our mission to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. UnitedHealthcare provides CalPERS members with network providers you want, digital tools you need, doctors in your corner and health plans that make it easier to get the care you want.

Western Health Advantage (WHA) is a regional HMO health plan serving 10 Northern California counties (Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo, Colusa, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Humboldt). WHA been serving the people and businesses of Northern CA for nearly 25 years. Our approach to health coverage allows medical decisions to be made by medical professionals, not an insurance company. We offer CalPERS members a basic plan and effective January 1, 2022 we will have a Medicare Advantage plan available. As a member of Western Health Advantage, you have choices in how you receive care.