Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions SCERS receives from active members. These cover your membership, contributions, service credit, retirement eligibility, beneficiaries, and more. For deeper information, visit the related topic sections.
Note: A comprehensive FAQ library covering all SCERS topics—including retirement, beneficiaries, forms, and more—is available in the Member Resources section under Frequently Asked Questions. The FAQs below are specific to active members.
General Membership & Eligibility
When does SCERS membership begin?
Membership begins automatically on your first day in a permanent, full-time SCERS-covered position.
Do I have to apply to join SCERS?
No. If your position qualifies, enrollment happens automatically. You’ll complete a Member’s Affidavit to designate a beneficiary.
What if I change from part-time to full-time?
If your new position qualifies as SCERS-covered, your membership begins at that time and cannot be retroactively applied.
Can anyone access my SCERS account information?
No. SCERS protects the confidentiality of your records and will not release account details without your consent or a legal requirement.
How do I know which membership tier I belong to?
Your membership tier is listed on your Annual Member Statement as well as on the Home Page of your MySCERS Portal and is determined by your hire date and whether you are in a Safety or Miscellaneous classification. Legacy members were hired before January 1, 2013. PEPRA members were hired on or after January 1, 2013.
Contributions & Service Credit
How much do I contribute to SCERS?
Your contribution rate is based on your tier and membership category (Miscellaneous or Safety) and is deducted from your paycheck.
Do my contributions earn interest?
Yes. Contributions earn interest based on SCERS Board-approved crediting policies.
Can I purchase service credit?
Yes. Members may be eligible to purchase service credit for certain types of employment or leaves of absence, such as pre-membership service, prior public service, or redepositing contributions after returning to SCERS.
How is service credit earned?
You earn service credit for each pay period in paid status. Part-time work earns proportional credit; unpaid time does not earn credit unless purchased.
Changing Jobs or Leaving SCERS
What happens to my SCERS membership if I take a temporary position?
Your membership becomes inactive, but your contributions remain on file and continue to earn interest.
What happens if I leave SCERS-covered employment?
You can either leave your contributions on deposit (and potentially retire later if vested), or request a refund—which ends your membership and forfeits your future SCERS benefit.
What is reciprocity?
Reciprocity allows your service credit and eligibility to carry over between SCERS and other California public retirement systems, as long as you meet specific criteria.
Beneficiaries & Life Events
Who can I name as a beneficiary?
You can name any individual, trust, or organization to receive a lump-sum death benefit. Monthly survivor benefits are limited to eligible survivors, such as a spouse or minor child.
Can I update my beneficiary at any time?
Yes. Submit a new Member’s Affidavit to SCERS. The most recent valid designation on file will override all prior versions.
What if I get divorced or remarried?
You should promptly update your beneficiary. SCERS may require additional documentation, especially if a court has issued a Domestic Relations Order (DRO).
What happens if I don’t have a beneficiary on file?
If there is no eligible survivor or named beneficiary, benefits may be paid to your estate or next of kin.
Planning for Retirement
When am I eligible to retire?
It depends on your tier. Most members need at least five years of service credit and must meet the minimum age for their tier.
How can I estimate my benefit?
Use the estimator in MySCERS or the guest calculator on scers.gov. You may also request a formal estimate if you’re within 12 months of retirement.
Do I have to retire when I become eligible?
No. You can continue working beyond your eligibility date. Your benefit will grow as you earn more service credit and reach older retirement ages.
Death & Survivor Benefits
What happens if I die before I retire?
SCERS may pay either a lump-sum or monthly survivor benefit, depending on your service credit, the cause of death, and survivor eligibility.
Who receives my death benefit?
Eligible survivors (spouse, registered domestic partner, minor children) have legal priority. If none exist, the benefit is paid to your named beneficiary or estate.
How should my family report my death?
Use the Report a Death tool under Member Resources on scers.gov. This is SCERS’s preferred method and initiates the follow-up process.