CalPERS offers step‑by‑step guidance for regional office visits

The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) published a video presentation explaining how members can prepare for visits to its eight regional offices and what to bring to make appointments productive. The presentation covers scheduling through a myCalPERS account or by phone, types of appointments, required identification and documents, and recommended preparatory steps.

The video instructs members to register for a myCalPERS account before visiting, bring their myCalPERS user ID and password (or their cell phone to assist with password reset), and bring government‑issued photo identification. It also recommends generating and saving retirement estimates in myCalPERS, completing and bringing any relevant forms or applications, and, when applicable, bringing a spouse or domestic partner to witness signatures. The presentation notes that counselors cannot register members for myCalPERS accounts, cannot complete forms on behalf of members, and cannot generate retirement estimates during appointments.

CalPERS staff outlined how to schedule appointments via the myCalPERS portal (calpers.ca.gov -> myCalPERS -> Education -> Appointments) or by calling (888) 225‑7377. Members may choose in‑person or virtual appointments; virtual appointments can be by phone or video. The system defaults to the regional office that serves a member’s area. Prescheduled appointments are offered in 30‑minute or 60‑minute blocks depending on topic. Walk‑in visits are available but typically involve waits of an hour or more and shorter counseling sessions (about 10–15 minutes), and may result in referrals to classes or online resources or require scheduling a follow‑up appointment.

The presentation describes appointment categories and suggested preparation: Account Services (half hour) for refunds, employment changes, power of attorney and general account matters; Disability Retirement (one hour) for disability retirement planning and application review (staff can witness signatures and accept applications); Health Benefits (half hour) for retirees’ health questions; Service Credit purchases and Service Retirement appointments (half hour) with guidance to review relevant CalPERS publications (e.g., PUB 12, PUB 15, PUB 43) and to bring documentation such as marriage licenses or birth certificates when naming lifetime beneficiaries. Members wanting to purchase service credit are instructed to use the retirement tab in myCalPERS to search purchase options and request cost estimates before scheduling an appointment.

The video encourages members to take CalPERS classes (in‑person, virtual, or self‑paced) before visiting a regional office to identify specific questions. It also points viewers to CalPERS online resources, forms and publications, and the CalPERS YouTube channel for the recorded presentation. The presenter cautioned that CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law and that the video provides general information; where there is a conflict, decisions will be based on the law.

The presentation ends by asking attendees to complete a follow‑up email evaluation and reiterates that preparation (creating a myCalPERS account, bringing ID, saved estimates and forms, and a list of questions) can reduce the need for repeat visits.