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What is Senate Bill 334?

SB 334 (Chapter 800, Statutes of 2001) provides enhanced benefits for members who, having retired from service, and then end their retirement benefits by becoming an active member again. Returning to active membership following a service retirement is called "reinstatement." To be eligible to receive enhanced benefits, you must perform at least two years of credited service after your most recent reinstatement and re-retire on or after October 13, 2001.

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How can I benefit from SB 334?

Under the provisions of SB 334, a previously retired member who has reinstated, performed an additional two or more years of credited service* after the most recent reinstatement and accumulated the total service credit shown below, may qualify for the following enhanced benefits when the member retires from service:

  • 25 or more years = 1-year final compensation
  • 30 years = 1-year final compensation, career factor (additional 0.2 percent added to age factor) and $200 longevity bonus
  • 31 years = 1-year final compensation, career factor and $300 longevity bonus
  • 32 years = 1-year final compensation, career factor and $400 longevity bonus

*Important note: Credited service excludes unused sick leave service credit, Golden Handshake or nonqualified service credit.

Members who do not qualify for the benefit enhancements may be eligible for an increased age factor, career bonus and/or higher final compensation upon retirement.

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How do I become eligible for benefits of SB 334?

To be eligible for the benefits provided by SB 334, currently retired members must:

  1. Reinstate to active status by requesting to terminate their retirement allowance;
  2. Perform two or more years of credited service following the most recent reinstatement; and
  3. Re-retire on or after October 13, 2001.

If you have already reinstated and are currently an active member, you must:

  1. Perform two or more years of credited service following your most recent reinstatement; and
  2. Re-retire on or after October 13, 2001.

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How do I get an estimate of my retirement benefits under SB 334?

You can submit a request for an estimate either by writing to CalSTRS or by calling CalSTRS at 1 (800) 228-5453.

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I am retired and considering reinstating under SB 334. If I currently have an option, will it apply to my subsequent retirement?

Yes. If you elected an option, upon your reinstatement, your selection will become a pre-retirement election of an option.

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How will reinstating affect my eligibility for CalSTRS to continue paying the Medicare Part A premium?

Once you reinstate to active status, CalSTRS will not continue to pay your Medicare Part A premium as this benefit is only available for retired members. Once you re-retire, CalSTRS will resume payment of the Medicare Part A premium as long as you meet the eligibility criteria based on your prior retirement history.

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What if I reinstate and re-retire before I earn two years of credited service subsequent to my reinstatement?

The law requires that you wait at least one calendar year following reinstatement before you can start receiving a retirement benefit again. It is important to note that benefit enhancements will not be included in your new retirement calculation if you did not earn the minimum two years of credited service required for benefits under SB 334.

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How will my service retirement be calculated if I reinstate and work the additional two years under SB 334?

The following illustrations will help you understand how your retirement allowance was calculated prior to SB 334, and how it will be calculated if you reinstate and work the additional two years as required under SB 334.

This illustration shows what your retirement allowance would be at the age of 60, with the 2 percent age factor.

Scenario - Prior to SB 334
29.000 prior service credit multiplied by 2 percent prior age factor multiplied by $3,000 prior final compensation
Prior Unmodified Allowance
$1,740.00
2% COLA
+ $69.60
Subtotal
$1,809.60
Plus current 2.000 service credit multiplied by 2.40% age factor multiplied by $5,000 final compensation
Current Unmodified Allowance
+$240.00
Total Unmodified Allowance (prior + current)
$2,049.60

This illustration shows what your retirement would be at the age of 63, with the 2.4 percent age factor, if you reinstate and attain an additional two years of credited service under SB 334:

Scenario - Under SB 334
29.000 prior service credit multiplied by *2.40 percent recalculated age factor multiplied by $5,000 current final compensation
Prior Unmodified Allowance
$3,480.00
Plus current 2.000 service credit multiplied by 2.40% current age factor multiplied by $5,000 current final compensation
Current Unmodified Allowance
+$240.00
Subtotal Unmodified Allowance (prior + current)
$3,720.00
Plus Longevity Bonus for 31.000 years of Service Credit
+$300.00
Total Benefit Under SB 334
$4,020.00

*Please note that under SB 334, the age factor used in your prior retirement will be recalculated based on your current age minus the amount of time spent in retirement.

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How do I submit a reinstatement request?

In order to reinstate to active member status, you can submit a written request to CalSTRS or download and complete a CalSTRS Retirement Application Change Request form. If you choose to submit a written request, be sure to include your anticipated date of reinstatement.

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