Learn
Retirement Countdown
What to do and when — with the real calendar dates from your plan. Check things off as you go; your progress stays in this browser.
Set your retirement date to see your calendar.
Below is the general timeline. Add your planned retirement date on your Profile and every deadline fills in with your actual dates.
12+ months out
Attend a CalPERS retirement class or book an appointment
Free CalPERS Benefits Education events and 1-on-1 appointments walk you through your options before you commit.
6 months out
Request your official myCalPERS estimate
You can get up to two official CalPERS-calculated estimates a year — get the real numbers before you file.
Decide your survivor / payment option
This choice sets your lifetime monthly survivor benefit — weigh it carefully before you file, because it locks in soon after you retire.
About 90 days out
File your service retirement application
CalPERS accepts your application within 120 days of your retirement date and recommends filing 3–4 months out. Filing after your date can delay when your retirement takes effect.
Within 30 days of leaving
Keep your CalPERS health coverage into retirement
DeadlineRetire within 30 days of separating and your coverage continues automatically. Between 31 and 120 days you must request it within 60 days — and past 120 days you lose retiree health for good.
Separation day
Unused sick leave converts to service credit
CalPERS converts unused sick leave to pension service credit (2,000 hours ≈ 1 year) — but only if you retire within 120 days of separating. Vacation, CTO, and PLP can't be converted.
Your leave cash-out is paid
Vacation/annual leave, CTO, and PLP are cashed out as a one-time taxable lump sum by your department at separation.
Return equipment, badge, and ID
Sworn members return department-issued gear and credentials through their agency's exit process.
Ask about your retiree ID / LEOSA credential
Under LEOSA, a qualified retired officer can carry concealed nationwide only while holding the photo retiree ID issued by the agency they left. Confirm the process with your agency.
First 60 days after you retire
Enroll in retiree vision (VSP)
DeadlineVision does NOT continue automatically. Enroll through your departmental personnel office within 60 days of retiring, or your next chance is the yearly open enrollment.
Confirm your dental continued
Retiree dental is processed by your department at separation (retire within 120 days) — confirm it went through.
The point of no return
Your option & beneficiary choice becomes permanent
About 30 days after your first retirement check, your retirement option and lifetime survivor beneficiary lock in — changeable afterward only through a qualifying life event (such as the death of your beneficiary, or marrying after retirement). Confirm exact timing with CalPERS.
Your first year retired
Your first COLA arrives
Cost-of-living adjustments begin the second calendar year after you retire, applied to your May 1 check (most state members: 2% per year).
When you turn 65
Enroll in Medicare and move to a CalPERS Medicare plan
DeadlineCalPERS requires you to enroll in Medicare Part A & B and transfer to a CalPERS Medicare plan at 65 — miss it and your CalPERS health can be cancelled the month you turn 65.
Sources
Deadlines verified against official CalPERS and CalHR publications (July 12, 2026). These are estimates to help you plan — confirm your own dates with CalPERS, and treat nothing here as legal advice.
- CalPERS — Service & Disability Retirement (120-day filing window)
- CalPERS — Retirement Planning Checklist
- CalPERS — Changing Your Beneficiary or Monthly Benefit After Retirement (PUB 98)
- CalPERS — Health Eligibility & Enrollment (Retirees)
- CalHR — Retiree Dental Benefits
- CalHR — Retiree Vision Benefits (VSP)
- CalPERS — Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
- CalPERS — Sick Leave & Service Credit
- CalPERS — Member Education (classes & appointments)
- CalPERS — Medicare (Retirees)
- CA DOJ — Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (LEOSA) summary
- CHP — Officer Salary & Benefits