CalPERS offers diverse retirement education classes for members at all career stages

CalPERS is ramping up its member education resources, offering a suite of classes designed to empower California public employees as they navigate their retirement benefits. During a recent meeting, officials highlighted five key classes tailored to different stages of a member's career, ensuring that all members can find the support they need.

The standout class, "You're CalPERS and You," is aimed at newcomers and those in the middle of their careers. It covers the essentials of CalPERS benefits, pension calculations, and managing accounts through myCalPERS. For those nearing retirement, the "Planning Your Retirement" class provides crucial insights into pension mechanics and options available upon retirement.

Members ready to retire can benefit from "Your Retirement Application and Beyond," which offers step-by-step guidance on completing retirement applications and understanding post-retirement processes, including health benefits. Additionally, the "Completing Your Disability Retirement Application" class is specifically designed for members facing health challenges that hinder their ability to work, focusing on the application process for disability retirement.

Lastly, the "Benefit Basics" class serves as a quick overview of CalPERS benefits, helping members plan for a secure retirement. All classes are available in various formats—self-paced online, virtual instructor-led, and in-person—to accommodate different learning preferences.

CalPERS encourages members to explore these resources early, emphasizing that proactive engagement leads to more confident decision-making regarding benefits. Members are urged to utilize both online and in-person options and to subscribe to the member education bulletin for updates on classes and deadlines. For further assistance, members can log into their myCalPERS accounts to send secure messages with specific inquiries.

With these comprehensive educational offerings, CalPERS is committed to ensuring that its members are well-informed and prepared for their retirement journey.