Are you looking for when your benefit will be processed by CalSTRS? The following estimates are intended to provide a guideline for members and beneficiaries.

Timelines are for when a submission has been completed with all necessary steps and documentation. If an application is incomplete or rejected, it will extend or reset the processing time. Some requests and applications may also require a longer time, depending on complexity.

These estimates are periodically refreshed and are not a guarantee. All estimates are for calendar days.

Last updated:  September 24, 2026

Survivor benefits

• Request for beneficiary information, initial quote letter (SB401): Up to 60 days, starting at notification of death
• Option allowance: Up to 60 days from receipt of all necessary information
• One-time death benefit: Up to 120 days from receipt of all necessary information

Community property

• Draft court order reviews: 30 days
• Acceptable court orders implemented to member accounts: 30 days
• Power of attorney and conservatorship documents review: 45 days
• Community property estimate requests: 60 days

Refunds and service credit

Processing for refund and service credit begins upon receipt of all necessary information.

• Refunds: 90 days
• Service credit purchase: 180 days

Service retirement benefits

You can expect your initial benefit payment within 45 days of your retirement date, or the date we received your completed service retirement application, whichever is later.

• Service Retirement Application (SR0059): If your application is received 60 days or more, prior to your retirement date: 45 days. Processing time begins when the final and correct application is recived by CalSTRS.
• If your application is received less than 60 days prior to your retirement date: 60 days
• If you're backdating your retirement date: 60 days
• First service retirement benefit payment: Within 45 days of your retirement date, or the date we received your completed service retirement application, whichever is later.

Service retirement estimates

• Estimate-only requests: Up to 30 days
• Expedited estimate-only requests: 10 days. Expedited estimates will only be given if your retirement is effective within 45 days of the request.

Direct deposit

Once you have submitted or updated direct deposit information, it takes one to two pay periods after authorization. To avoid delay in processing your payments, do not close your old account until your first payment is deposited into your new account.