Retirement Benefits

California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan for eligible California public-sector employees. Membership in CalPERS is determined by position, time base, length of appointment, and previous CalPERS agency or reciprocal agency employment. Members who are eligible for retirement will receive a monthly pension based on final compensation, years of service, age, and benefit formula.

Retiree health and dental coverage is available for those who retire with at least 10 years of CalPERS service credit. This applies to all employee groups, except for SUPA (State University Police Association), whose vesting period for retiree health is currently five years. Employees who retire within 120 days of separating from employment with SDSU may maintain medical and dental insurance coverages into retirement for the retiree and eligible dependents with the same contribution rates as active employees.  Upon Medicare eligibility, a retiree and/or their dependent must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B and transfer to a CalPERS Medicare health plan to continue CalPERS health coverage. Some retirees may be entitled to a reimbursement of the Medicare Part B premium (some exceptions apply). Retirees may also enroll in and pay for low cost vision insurance.

Part-Time, Seasonal and Temporary (PST) Retirement Plan

PST is a retirement savings program for employees who are excluded from CalPERS membership either because they are appointed at less than half-time, are seasonal, or are employed on an intermittent or temporary basis. To learn more about this program, visit the SavingsPlus website.

Supplemental Retirement Savings Plans

SDSU offers various savings plans to supplement your retirement and meet your long-term financial goals. The 403(b) plan is offered through the California State University and administered by Fidelity. The 401(k) and 457 plans are offered through the California Department of Human Resources and administered by SavingsPlus. Both plans have pre-tax and after-tax (i.e. Roth) options available.

Note that SDSU contributes to the CalPERS defined benefit plan, and therefore does not provide matching on the supplemental retirement savings plans.

Military Service Credit

If you are a CalPERS member who served in the military prior to CalPERS membership, you may be able to purchase your active duty service with the United States Armed Forces. 

If you were granted a military leave of absence –leaving your CalPERS covered employment (CSU employment)— and later return to the CalPERS covered employment (return to the CSU), you may be able to receive service credit for your leave of absence at no member cost. 

You may refer to the CalPERS publication A Guide to Your Military Service Credit Options to learn about the various types of military service credit options.