Reciprocity

If you leave SCERS-covered employment and go to work for another California public agency with a reciprocal retirement system, you may be able to link your retirement service through a process called reciprocity.

What Is Reciprocity?

Reciprocity is a legal agreement between SCERS and certain other public retirement systems in California. If you meet the criteria, reciprocity allows:

  • Linked service credit across systems for vesting and retirement eligibility
  • Final compensation to be calculated using the highest eligible salary across both systems, subject to plan limits 

You do not “transfer” your contributions. Each system calculates and pays its own portion of your retirement benefit.

Qualifying for Reciprocity

To establish reciprocity, you must:

  • Leave SCERS-covered employment and leave your SCERS contributions on deposit 
  • Not take a refund or rollover your contributions
  • Begin work and membership with a reciprocal system within 6 months following the termination of your SCERS-covered employment 
  • Your service in the reciprocal system cannot overlap with your SCERS service 
  • Retire from both systems on the same day and for the same reason (i.e., service or disability) 

Participating Reciprocal Systems

SCERS has reciprocity with:

  • State of California retirement systems (CalPERS, CalSTRS, and JRS)
  • Other county retirement systems operating under the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937
  • Retirement systems of charter cities and counties of California

Be sure to confirm whether your new employer participates in a reciprocal system before making employment decisions. Please note that SCERS does not have reciprocity with the University of California Retirement Plan.

How to Establish Reciprocity

  • Contact SCERS before accepting new employment to discuss your eligibility.
  • Let your new retirement system know you are a SCERS member.
  • Confirm your hire date and separation date carefully—timing is critical.
  • Submit any required forms to both retirement systems.

If your break in service exceeds 6 months, you will not be eligible for reciprocity.

Once you establish Reciprocity, your election is irrevocable.

Thereafter, you cannot withdraw contributions from the previous retirement system unless you terminate all employment for all SCERS Participating Employers and elect to withdraw your contributions from SCERS and terminate your SCERS membership.