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Benefits planning services

CalSTRS offers various services to help you learn about your CalSTRS benefits and actively plan for retirement throughout your career. 

Individual benefits planning session 

Explore your CalSTRS benefits and services with the help of a CalSTRS benefits specialist in a confidential, one-on-one setting.

We offer sessions virtually and in-person.

The CalSTRS individual benefits planning sessions cover:

  • Your personalized CalSTRS benefit estimates.
  • Beneficiary options and how to leave a lifetime benefit to your loved ones.
  • 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 pertaining to healthbenefits, Medicare and Social Security.

For available session dates and times, simply call 800-228-5453 and select option 3.

Handouts

My Next StepsSocial Security, CalSTRS and YouDisability and Survivor Benefits: Coverage ADisability and Survivor Benefits: Coverage BThe Age FactorDefined Benefit Supplement Annuity Estimates

 

If you are having problems opening a PDF file, download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Group benefits planning session 

Advance registration is required for all sessions.

Simply call 800-228-5453 and select option 3.

CalSTRS and Your Retirement

Midcareer to near retirement

Explore your CalSTRS benefits and services with the help of a CalSTRS benefits specialist in a confidential, yet interactive, small group setting with fellow educators.

The CalSTRS and Your Retirement group session covers:

  • Your personalized CalSTRS benefit estimates.
  • Beneficiary options and how to leave a lifetime benefit to your loved ones.
  • 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 pertaining to health benefits, Medicare and Social Security.

Handouts

My Next StepsSocial Security, CalSTRS and YouDisability and Survivor Benefits: Coverage ADisability and Survivor Benefits: Coverage BThe Age FactorDefined Benefit Supplement Annuity Estimates

 

If you are having problems opening a PDF file, download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.

Viewing encrypted emails

When you register for one of our benefits planning sessions, you will receive an encrypted email with your personalized estimates.

To view the content of the email, follow these steps:

  1. Open the email.
  2. Click Read the message.
  3. Click on Sign in with a One-time passcode.
  4. Check your email for an email from Microsoft Office 365 Message Encryption.
  5. Copy or write down the one-time passcode and enter it into the One-time passcode field on the screen that confirmed the one-time passcode was sent.

Note: The passcode will expire in 15 minutes.

Retirement Progress Report

Your annual Retirement Progress Report is a personalized overview of your CalSTRS account and benefits, including detailed information and resources for planning your financial future.

To access your Retirement Progress Report:

  1. At myCalSTRS.com, create or log into your personal myCalSTRS account.
  2. On the home page, click on “View Your Retirement Progress Reports.”
  3. Reports are organized by year and account type – select the most recent year.
  4. Download, print or save file.

Additional services

For more information about benefits planning services, call 800-228-5453 and select option 3.

Forms drop-off 

To improve the services provided to members, applications and all CalSTRS forms can be dropped off at certain local benefits planning offices.

Before submitting forms:

  • Review all forms to ensure accuracy. If you need assistance completing a form, please call us at 800-228-5453.
  • Copy all forms for your personal records.
  • Find a Local Benefits Planning Office that accepts CalSTRS forms.

When dropping forms off at a local office:

  • Forms may not be accepted at all locations.
  • If “Forms drop-off” is not listed as a service offered at an office, select another office.
  • Form drop-off hours vary by location.
Walk-in assistance 

Need help completing a form? Want to pick up hard copies of CalSTRS publications? Visit a member service center for general assistance.

Important: Members are helped on a first come, first served basis and do not receive estimates or benefits planning sessions without a scheduled appointment.

Additional estimates 

Have you attended a CalSTRS and Your Retirement or other benefits planning session in the last year? Have your circumstances changed and you only need an updated estimate? If so, call 800-228-5453 and select option 3. CalSTRS will prepare and mail an updated estimate. This service is provided in lieu of a benefits planning session.

Important: It can take 14-21 business days for your estimate to be mailed. This service is only available to members who are eligible to retire and previously attended a benefits planning session.