Retirement Programs

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CalPERS

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is a defined benefit plan which provides a retirement benefit based on the employee’s applicable retirement formula, age at retirement, years of service credit, and compensation. By statute, the California State University (CSU) participates in the CalPERS program. Membership is mandatory for eligible employees. Retirement program eligibility is based on appointment type, duration, full-time equivalency (FTE) and previous public agency or reciprocal agency employment. Retirement formulas vary based on the member’s occupation and their CalPERS membership date.

Please visit the CSYou intranet (must be an active employee to access) to learn more about the CalPERS retirement benefits. For the most current and detailed information, employees can visit calpers.ca.gov or call CalPERS at (888) 225-7377. Members may log into MyCalPERS to manage their account online. To register please visit Using MyCalPERS.

Purchasing CalPERS Service Credit
  • As a member of CalPERS you may be eligible to purchase additional service credit such as service prior to membership, military service, and for certain types of leaves of absence.
  • More information can be found in "Service Credit Purchase Options" (PUB-12) and "Military Service Purchase Options" (PUB-15) and on the CalPERS website. 
  • Please allow 30 days for CSU Dominguez Hills to complete your service credit purchase inquiry. Once completed, employees should contact CalPERS at 888-225-7377 for the next steps.
Resources

Part Time, Seasonal, & Temporary Employees

The Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Employees Retirement Program (PST) is a mandatory retirement savings program authorized by federal law for employees who are not covered by a retirement system or Social Security. Savings Plus, part of the California Department of Human Resources, administers the PST Program.

If you are a CSU employee who is not covered by Social Security and you are excluded from coverage under CalPERS, you are automatically enrolled in the PST Program. The program deducts 7.5% of your wages and deposits it in an account for you, allowing you to build retirement savings. It is set up as a 457(b) Plan, a type of retirement savings plan governed by IRS rules.

Resources

Social Security & Medicare

CalPERS is coordinated with Social Security which means that you may be eligible for benefits from the retirement system once you are vested and meet the minimum age requirement. You may also be eligible to receive Social Security benefits if you meet the requirements (some exclusions may apply to Unit 8 employees).

For more information or to obtain the CMS-L564 [PDF], please contact the Benefits Services Office at benefitservices@csudh.edu.

Retirement Savings Programs

The California State University (CSU) supports the efforts of faculty and staff to plan a fulfilling and financially secure retirement. As part of its total rewards package, the CSU offers employees three different voluntary retirement savings programs to help employees meet their financial goals. Each plan offers employees the opportunity to make contributions on a pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) basis. Please note that the plans listed below are voluntary savings plans and do not have an employer contribution.

Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) 403(b) Program
  • Pre-Tax and Roth options
  • Administered by the CSU through Fidelity

Please visit the CSYou website for additional information regarding these plans including enrollment, contribution limits, catch-up allowances, and hardships/loans.

401(k) or 457(b) Programs

Savings Plus Program

  • Offers two plans: 401(k) or 457(b)
  • Administered by CalHR through Nationwide
  • Savings Plus Customer Service Phone Number: (855) 616-4776

Faculty Early Retirement Program & Pre-Retirement Time Base Reduction

Learn more about faculty retirement benefit programs offered to eligible tenured faculty. For general information on the application process, please contact Office of Faculty Affairs & Development at (310) 243-3766.

Re-employment

Learn more about post-retirement employment for CalPERS employees as a retired annuitant.

Employment of CalPERS Retirees/Rehired Annuitants

California Government Code provisions permit former California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) employees who retire and receive CalPERS retirement benefits to accept limited CSU post-retirement employment without reinstatement or penalty as rehired annuitants. Retirees may be hired during an emergency to prevent stoppage of public business and/or because the retirees have skills needed in performing specialized work of limited duration. There is a 180-day waiting period, from the date of retirement, applied to rehired annuitants per post-employment provisions. CalPERS retirees who are already working as retired annuitants are exempt from the waiting period.

Length of Appointment

Under Government Code sections 21224 and 21229, employment of a rehired annuitant is designated on a fiscal year basis for a maximum of 960 hours. If a rehired annuitant works in excess of the permissible 960 hours within a fiscal year, the CalPERS retiree and the University are subject to penalties. Both the campus and the rehired annuitant are responsible for tracking hours of employment.

Time Base for Appointment

Retired annuitant appointments are temporary with an hourly or daily rate time base for a maximum of 960 hours or 120 days within a fiscal year.

Exclude from Hire

Campuses are to exclude from hiring retirees who have collected unemployment insurance compensation during the 12-month period prior to the desired appointment.

For more information, please review A Guide to CalPERS Employment After Retirement (PUB 33) [PDF] or contact CalPERS at 888-225-7377.

What is Reciprocity?

  • As a member of CalPERS you may be eligible for the benefits of reciprocity. Reciprocity is an agreement among public retirement systems to allow members to move from one public employer to another public employer within a specific time limit without losing valuable retirement and related benefit rights. Reciprocal Form [PDF].
  • Detailed information about establishing reciprocity can be found in the CalPERS publication "When You Change Retirement Systems" (PUB-16).