Retirement Programs 

Retirement Programs Available:


California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

Staff who are appointed to a full time position or to a temporary position lasting at least six months and one day are automatically enrolled in CalPERS.

Tenure-track faculty are also automatically enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Lecturers who teach three consecutive semesters with a 0.5 or greater appointment will be enrolled in the PERS system automatically during the third semester.

Click here to visit the Academic Resources website.

The CSU plan with PERS is a defined benefit plan that calculates the retirement benefit using age at retirement, years of service credit, and salary. Eligibility for retirement from PERS is five (5) years of service and age 50. Retirees may be eligible for medical and dental benefits for life for themselves and their spouse.

CalPERS allows employees to purchase additional service credit, such as military, maternity/paternity, or sabbatical, to increase the amount of their compensation at retirement. From the CalPERS Home page, click on "For Members for access to the Service Credit Cost Estimator.


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

All non-CalPERS eligible employees are placed into the: Part-Time, Seasonal, Temporary Employees Retirement (PST) Program - Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, which is administered by the State of California Department of Personnel Services Administration.

There is no employer contribution to this plan. Employees enrolled in this plan pay into Medicare.

Supplemental Savings Programs
Employees may defer taxes on a portion of their earnings by investing in a qualified tax sheltered plan, according to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sections 401(k), 403(b), and 457. The deferred income is not subject to current state and federal income taxes; funds are taxed in the year that they are withdrawn.

Tax Sheltered Annuity (403(b))
All employees except student classifications are eligible to participate in the 403(b) program. The California State University approves a number of mutual fund and life insurance/annuity companies from which to choose. The minimum monthly contribution is $15.00.

In order for eligible employees to take advantage of the tax savings via payroll deduction, a 403(b) account must be established with one of the TSA companies on CSU's authorized list. Certification of Establishment of 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity Account.

You may also visit the CSU 403(b) TSA Program for additional information regarding this program including maximum contribution amounts, catch-up allowances, and administration of the TSA program or review the

Savings Plus Program (457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Thrift Plan)

These plans are administered by the State Department of Personnel Administration. Temporary employees enrolled in the PST Retirement Plan and rehired annuitants are not eligible to participate in these programs. The minimum monthly contribution for each plan is $20.00.

For additional information, access the Savings Plus Program website.

403(b), 457, and 401(k) Comparison Chart: For additional information including maximum contribution amounts, catch-up allowances, and administration