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Benefits planning sessions

Explore your CalSTRS benefits with the help of a benefits specialist.

CalSTRS benefits specialists will provide information and resources about available benefits so you are educated and prepared for the decisions you will make as you transition into retirement. Learn with fellow educators in a confidential, yet interactive, small-group setting.

What members are saying:

Being in a group setting opened up questions and answers that I might not have considered during an individual session.
The group session was still very individually focused. Everyone was able to have case-specific questions answered for themselves. I left the session having a much clearer understanding of my options and timelines.
…I really appreciated the expert information and support I received at my meeting.
CalSTRS and You: Are you early or midcareer? 

Are you an early or midcareer educator or otherwise not yet eligible to retire? It’s never too early to start planning! Learn about your CalSTRS benefits and the services available to you in a confidential, yet interactive, small-group setting. CalSTRS and You covers:

  • The CalSTRS hybrid system and your different accounts.
  • The various CalSTRS benefits available to you.
  • Retirement eligibility and how to estimate your benefit.
  • What you can do now to increase your income in retirement.

Scheduling a CalSTRS and You session

Call 800-228-5453 and select option 3 to schedule a session and receive your benefits planning materials by email.

Important: Sessions are typically scheduled six weeks in advance.

CalSTRS and Your Retirement: Are you near retirement? 

Are you currently eligible to retire or considering retirement within the next five years? Learn about your retirement decisions and review personalized estimates prepared by a CalSTRS benefits specialist in a confidential, yet interactive, small-group setting. CalSTRS and Your Retirement covers:

  • Your CalSTRS accounts and personalized benefit estimates.
  • Beneficiary options and how to leave a lifetime benefit to a loved one.
  • How to purchase service credit and what happens to your unused sick leave.
  • Concurrent retirement - retiring from more than one California public retirement system.
  • Considerations regarding health benefits, Medicare and Social Security.
  • How to apply for retirement and when to expect your benefit.
  • Your relationship with CalSTRS in retirement.

Scheduling a CalSTRS and Your Retirement session

Call 800-228-5453 and select option 3 to schedule a session and receive your benefits planning materials by email.

Important: Sessions are typically scheduled six weeks in advance. In order to prepare your estimate, please be able to provide the following when scheduling your session:

  • Your projected retirement date.
  • Your employment status.
  • The number of unused sick leave days you have accrued.
  • The number of days in your annual contract.
  • The birthdate and relationship of any option beneficiary you are considering.
  • Your highest salary from other California public retirement systems (if applicable).
Other sessions: Availability based on local demand and specific circumstances 

Additional benefits planning sessions include the following topics:

  • Individual sessions – Do you live far from a benefits planning office or find it more convenient to discuss your benefits virtually? CalSTRS can email your planning materials and estimates before you meet with a benefits specialist. At your meeting, the specialist will review the materials and answer questions you may have.
  • Disability benefits – Are you considering a disability benefit? Meet with a CalSTRS benefits specialist to compare disability benefit and retirement benefit estimates, review considerations for disability and understand how to apply for a benefit.
  • Community property – Was your former spouse or registered domestic partner awarded a portion of your CalSTRS’ benefits? Meet with a CalSTRS benefits specialist to review personalized estimates and understand how community property settlements can impact your CalSTRS benefits.
  • Cash Balance benefits – Are you a participant of the Cash Balance Benefit Program? Meet with a CalSTRS benefits specialist to review personalized estimates of the benefits available to you and important considerations for part-time educators.
  • Multiple retirement – Have you previously received a retirement or disability benefit? Meet with a CalSTRS benefits specialist to review personalized estimates and understand your new benefit calculation.
  • Reinstatement – Are you currently retired and considering returning to work as an active member? Meet with a CalSTRS benefits specialist to understand how your future benefit may be calculated based on when you plan to retire again.

Scheduling a benefits planning session

Schedule a virtual or in-person session and receive your benefits planning materials by mail by calling 800-228-5453 and selecting option 3.

Important: Sessions are typically scheduled six weeks in advance. Be prepared to provide the following when scheduling either an in-person or telephone session:

  • Your projected retirement, reinstatement or disability date.
  • Your employment status.
  • The number of unused sick leave days you have accrued.
  • The number of days in your annual contract.
  • The birthdate and relationship of any option beneficiary you are considering.
  • Your highest salary from other California public retirement systems (if applicable).