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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.

Scheduling a benefits planning session

Schedule a virtual or in-person session by calling 800-228-5453 and selecting option 3. Advance registration is required for all sessions.

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).
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.

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 health benefits, Medicare and Social Security.

Handouts

My Next StepsDisability 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 

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 StepsDisability 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.

Other sessions: Availability based on local demand and specific circumstances 

Additional benefits planning sessions include the following topics:

  • 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.

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. 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.