Accuracy of Your CalSTRS Account Information
General Questions
Retirement Fund Options
Accuracy of Your CalSTRS Account Information
What if I see an error?
- Active Members – Report Errors to Your Employer
- Inactive Members – Contact CalSTRS
- If the one-time death benefit recipient or option beneficiary named on your statement is not
correct – Contact CalSTRS
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My report was mailed to the wrong address. How can I get my address corrected on your
records?
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Why does my report show adjustments for prior years?
CalSTRS receives information from your employer.
- If the information affects a previous fiscal year the adjustment is shown on your current report.
- If we receive information affecting the year’s report after the report is finalized, the
information is shown as an adjustment on your next report.
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My listed Defined Benefit service credit appears incorrect. How can I
correct it?
You can report the error two ways:
- Active members contact your employer to request a correction.
- Inactive members should Contact CalSTRS.
General information on purchasing service credit is available in:
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I used the same numbers with the online retirement estimate calculator and my report.
Why are the results different?
- The factor used in your report is based on the date you elected a pre-retirement option.
- The online retirement estimate calculator uses the retirement date.
This will likely result in different option factors and different benefit results.
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How do I correct my date of birth if it is incorrect or missing?
Mail a photocopy of your birth certificate with a letter stating your birth date is incorrect on your
Retirement Progress Report to the following address:
California State Teachers' Retirement System
P. O. Box 15275, MS# 81
Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
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My account is under two different Social Security numbers. How do I change my account
with the correct Social Security Number?
Two options:
- Contact your employer, they will notify CalSTRS.
- A photocopy of your Social Security card is needed for verification. A correction will
be made to your account....
- Contact CalSTRS directly.
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How do I change or correct my last name on my account?
- Submit a name change or correction through your employer.
- If you are no longer employed by the California public school system,
Contact CalSTRS.
- Have a photocopy of your Social Security card, marriage license or court document to verify
or change the name on your account.
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Why isn't my employer's contribution listed on my Retirement Progress Report?
Employer contributions to the Defined Benefit Program are paid into the Teachers’ Retirement Fund to finance
future benefits. These contributions do not affect the amount of retirement benefits you receive, nor are they
refundable if you terminate CalSTRS-covered employment.
Employer contributions paid for service in excess of one year, limited-term enhancements and some incentives
will be credited to your Defined Benefit Supplement account.
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I received disability benefits under Coverage A. Why are they not listed on my Retirement
Progress Report?
Disability Coverage A appears on your report at the time you retire. CalSTRS then takes two steps to calculate
your benefits:
- Service credit is projected through the duration of the disability period.
- Using actual and projected service credit determines your service retirement benefit.
Additional information on disability coverage is in chapter 8 of the
Member Handbook.
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General Questions
What is the Retirement Progress Report?
It is a personalized annual statement for Defined Benefit and Defined Benefit Supplement members and Cash
Balance Benefit participants. Additional information on retirement planning is included.
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When do I receive my Retirement Progress Report?
- By mail in December
- If you have a
myCalSTRS account you can view your report online. You can sign up for myCalSTRS anytime.
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Why should I read my Retirement Progress Report?
The CalSTRS account information provided helps you plan your retirement.
Included in the report:
- Defined Benefit members: service credit, account balances, retirement estimates (if over age 45),
named beneficiaries
- Cash Balance participants: total account balance; total contributions for the fiscal year
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Where can I go for more information to understand my Retirement Progress Report?
- Members with a myCalSTRS account may view specific examples of their statement. Use the ‘Example’
link for the appropriate year. You can sign up formyCalSTRS anytime.
- See chapter 2 in the Member
Handbook.
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Can I view my past and present Retirement Progress Reports online?
Yes, if you have a
myCalSTRS account. To receive future reports and other benefit information online sign up for a
myCalSTRS account.
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Can I stop receiving my Retirement Progress Report in the mail?
Yes, if you have a
myCalSTRS account change your Preferences to stop the mailing. It is important that we have
your current email address. An email is sent to you when the report is available. You can sign up for myCalSTRS anytime.
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What is the difference between the Defined Benefit and Defined Benefit Supplement Programs?
- The Defined Benefit Program guarantees a steady source of income for your life after retiring. To
receive the benefit requires five years of service credit and your eligibility to retire.
- The Defined Benefit Supplement Program provides additional retirement income based on the amount
in the account.
Detailed information on these programs is in chapters 2 and 6 in the
Member Handbook.
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Retirement Fund Options
What types of plans are available to rollover the funds in my report?
Creditable service earned in the California public school system may be rolled over to:
- Certain types of IRAs through eligible employer plans that accept rollovers
The Tax Considerations for Rollovers
booklet includes more detailed information on rollovers.
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What if I am not in a CalSTRS-covered position anymore?
Two options are available:
- Keep your account contributions and interest with CalSTRS.
- Continue earning interest on your account. You will be eligible to receive a lifetime monthly
retirement benefit when you are:
- Age 55 with 5 years of service credit
- Age 50 with 30 years of service credit
- Take a refund of your account contributions and interest.
Refund: Consider the
Consequences has more information on refunds.
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