CalPERS Retirement

CalPERS

What is CalPERS Retirement?

CalPERS offers a defined benefit plan where retirement benefits are based on a formula rather than contributions and earnings to a savings plan. Retirement benefits are calculated based on a member's age at retirement, years of service credit, and final compensation (average salary for a defined period of employment). The City of Garden Grove has two types of retirement plans—one for sworn Police employees and another for everyone else, or "miscellaneous" employees. Within each of those types, there are two formula levels depending on when you entered the retirement system.

Planning for Retirement

Are you near retirement? Learn how to plan for retirement and the process of retiring. Subjects include service credit, retirement formulas and benefit factors, final compensation, retirement calculation, survivor continuance, retirement payment options, health benefits, and much more.
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To register for a retirement class, log into your My|CalPERS account by clicking the button below:

Impacts on Social Security

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is a statutory provision in United States law which affects benefits paid by the Social Security Administration under Title II of the Social Security Act. If you paid social security tax on 30 years of substantial earnings, you are not impacted by the WEP; however if you did not, your social security benefit will likely be reduced because you are receiving a government pension.

CalPERS Publications

These publications provide more detailed information about various retirement topics. They are available here as PDFs but hard copies may be available at the CalPERS Regional Office in Orange Center Tower located at 500 N. State College Blvd. Ste 750, Orange, CA 92868.