CalPERS video outlines member education resources, how to access myCalPERS and events

Raquel Lozano, presenter for the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), in a recorded member-education presentation explained how members can use CalPERS online tools, register for classes and events, and subscribe to monthly education bulletins.

The presentation was intended to help members “feel more confident navigating the tools available to you,” Lozano said, and it walked viewers through registering for a myCalPERS account, subscribing to member education bulletins, using the Education Center, enrolling in classes, and finding forms and publications on calpers.ca.gov.

Lozano said a myCalPERS account lets members “view your service credit, run retirement estimates, update your contact information, and look at your health and retirement benefits,” and that members can also “register for educational events, classes, send secure messages to CalPERS, and even schedule appointments at a CalPERS regional office.” She told viewers they will need either a Social Security number or their 10-digit CalPERS ID, plus date of birth and other identifying information, to register.

The presentation described CalPERS Member Education Bulletins as monthly emails that notify members about upcoming videos, classes and events. Lozano demonstrated how to subscribe from the CalPERS homepage, select “member education” from the subscription options and choose an employer county and topics of interest. She noted subscribers must confirm a follow-up confirmation email to activate the subscription.

Lozano described the Education Center on calpers.ca.gov as a central hub for member education where users can register for self-paced and instructor-led classes, sign up for CalPERS Benefits Education Events (CBEs), view monthly educational videos, and access tools to help with retirement planning. She said CBEs are two-day events offered online or in person, with classes covering retirement planning, health benefits and service credit.

The presenter listed five classes currently offered: You and CalPERS; Planning Your Retirement; Your Retirement Application and Beyond; Completing Your Disability Retirement Application; and Benefit Basics. She explained formats include self-paced online, virtual instructor-led and in-person instructor-led options and that class registration is available through myCalPERS.

Lozano also pointed viewers to the CalPERS YouTube channel and the video library, and demonstrated how to register for upcoming videos and premieres. On documents, she showed how members can find and download forms and publications from the Members tab on the CalPERS site.

For member support, Lozano said members may send secure messages via myCalPERS, schedule virtual or in-person appointments, or call CalPERS customer service at (888) 225-7377, available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. She closed with a reminder that the presentation is general information and that CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees’ Retirement Law; where there is a conflict, “all decisions will be based on the law.”

The video ends with a request that viewers complete a short evaluation emailed after the presentation to help CalPERS improve future sessions.