Pension Sense blog | April 28, 2026 | Melissa Jones-Ferguson

Wish you were savvier with money? Want to feel more in control of your finances? CalSTRS.com now offers a one-stop shop for members looking for resources to achieve their financial goals—in the short term and beyond.

Go to the new financial basics webpage to elevate your financial skills with short, self-guided courses on topics ranging from the fundamentals of budgeting to tips for building wealth through investment.

Read on to learn more about the courses and other tools available on this new page.

Emergency fund

How much money should you set aside in case of an emergency? This course provides the knowledge and tools to develop a financial safety net to cover unexpected expenses, such as job loss or unforeseen illness.

Your credit score

Discover what makes a good credit score, what affects your score and how to improve it.

Savings

Saving money is a pillar of personal finance, offering immediate and long-term benefits. Learn about this safety net for unexpected events, and how savings allow you to overcome financial challenges without accumulating high-interest debt or depleting your resources.

Budgeting

Find out how to better plan, track and manage your money through budgeting—a great help in making informed financial decisions and achieving your financial goals.

Managing debt

Managing and reducing your debt effectively can be key to your financial prosperity. This course features the fundamentals to help you reach your goals.

Taxes

Welcome to Taxes 101! Explore common types of taxes and tax concepts, as well as special situations and details about filing taxes.

Investing

Investment plays a crucial role in building wealth, achieving financial goals and living comfortably in retirement.

Discover how strategic investing can capitalize on market growth and the power of compounding returns—when your investment earns returns on previously accumulated earnings.

Additional tools

In addition to online training, our financial basics page also has links to a variety of other online tools for financial planning, including information on CalSTRS’ defined contribution plan, CalSTRS Pension2®, educational CalSTRS videos and webinars, and a calculator to estimate your monthly pension payment.

So, take a moment this month to explore CalSTRS’ online training and tools. Gain the financial knowledge and skills you need to plan your finances with confidence.

If anyone understands the value of education, it’s you.