Winnie Robinson, manager of participant education for the CalPERS 457 plan, described how the supplemental 457 savings plan can help participants supplement pension and Social Security income and reviewed contribution rules, investment options and fees.

Robinson noted the 457 plan is voluntary and contributions are payroll-deducted. Participants may choose pretax contributions to reduce current taxable income or Roth after‑tax contributions to enable tax‑free withdrawals in retirement after meeting Roth holding and age rules. She described distribution access after separation from service and the Roth requirement that the first Roth contribution be at least five years prior to qualified distribution or the participant be at least 59½.

Robinson provided contribution limits and catch‑up rules: current-year limits at $23,500 for participants under age 50, higher allowable deferrals (up to $31,000) for ages 50–59 and 63+, and a Secure 2.0 special catch‑up amount of $34,750 for ages 60–63; she also described a three‑year special catch‑up for those within three years of normal retirement to make up prior shortfalls.

On investments, Robinson said the plan defaults to target retirement date funds that automatically become more conservative as the target date approaches and described six core indexed funds and additional self-directed options available through a Charles Schwab self‑managed account, including individual stocks, bonds, ETFs and mutual funds. She said fees are reported net of returns and gave an example: target date funds have an expense ratio around 0.20% plus an annual $50 maintenance fee.

Robinson discussed rollover options for accounts with former employers (leave in place, take distributions, roll to an IRA, or roll into the CalPERS 457) and said enrollment is available any time, not only during open enrollment. She directed participants to calpers.ca.gov to confirm employer participation and to calpers457.com to enroll, and provided a scheduling phone number for one‑on‑one appointments with registered representatives.

"Start as soon as possible," Robinson said when urging earlier participation and pointed to examples showing how modest, regular contributions can grow substantially over time. She closed by giving contact information for CalPERS 457 support.