There’s nothing harder than facing a terminal illness or imminent death. But you and your loved ones aren’t alone — our retirement counselors are here to help you navigate your CalPERS benefits during such difficult times.
“It is an honorable service to assist a family facing such dire circumstances,” said Sheryl Heuer, a Sacramento Regional Office senior retirement benefits counselor. “When the application is submitted, the member has a sense of relief with the family taken care of.”
“Members and their loved ones should know we all are very empathetic during this time,” added Kevin Harris (above), who also is a Sacramento Regional Office senior retirement benefits counselor. “I love that we are very attentive to their needs.”
When Facing a Terminal Illness
If you’re facing a terminal illness, we can help ensure your benefits are in place to have your wishes carried out.
If you’re an active member:
- Make sure your family members know the steps they’ll need to take to receive benefits. Death benefits range from a return of contributions (plus interest) to a monthly allowance. Review the latest information to ensure death benefits are paid to the proper beneficiaries.
- Contact us about the possibility of filing for retirement as soon as possible.
- Contact your employer, union, and the Social Security Administration to determine if there are any other benefits payable.
- Review your beneficiary designation and make any changes via the Pre-Retirement Lump Sum Beneficiary Designation (PDF) form or online through myCalPERS.
- Set up a CalPERS Special Power of Attorney to designate a representative who can conduct your CalPERS business should you become incapacitated. You may already have a power of attorney set up through another resource, but it may not address your CalPERS retirement benefits.
If you’re a retiree:
Be sure to review your beneficiary designation to ensure it’s accurate and up to date. If you need to make changes, read Changing Your Beneficiary or Monthly Benefit After Retirement (PUB 98) (PDF).
When Does Emergency Retirement Make Sense?
CalPERS has an expedited process for emergency retirements, which is when a member is facing imminent death and may not survive the normal retirement application and processing (typically 90 to 120 days), or when they are facing a potential comatose condition.
We typically process more than 100 emergency retirements each year. Each is handled by senior retirement benefits counselors from our eight regional offices who receive special training and mentorship to assist with these urgent cases.
In addition to their work on regular retirement cases, these counselors can help members with terminal illness or emergency retirement concerns, or can even visit hospitals or homes in cases of extreme need.
If an emergency situation arises, immediately call CalPERS during business hours at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377). If the situation arises after hours, fax a Disability Retirement Election Application (PDF) form (attention “Emergency Retirement Counselor”) to (916) 795-3988. The form must be received by CalPERS prior to your death. If you are currently employed, contact your employer to determine if any other benefits are payable. Employers also can submit an Employer-Originated Disability Retirement Application to initiate the retirement process on your behalf.
Take These Two Steps Today
Consider taking these two simple but important steps today to make coping with serious situations — expected or unexpected — easier for you and your family:
- Have a current CalPERS special power of attorney on file — A CalPERS special power of attorney lets you designate a representative or agent, known as your attorney-in-fact, to conduct your retirement affairs. Should you become unable to act on your own behalf, your designated attorney-in-fact will be able to perform important duties concerning your CalPERS business.
- Ensure your CalPERS beneficiary information is up to date — Your death benefits are paid according to the valid beneficiary designation on file with us. Active members can name or change your beneficiary online right now through your myCalPERS account, or notify us by mail (PDF). Retired members designate beneficiaries when they retire, but there are limited situations (PDF) after retirement when a member can choose a new option or beneficiary.
“CalPERS is here to support members and their loved ones, but preparation — in the form of having a CalPERS special power of attorney and current beneficiary on file — is an essential part of the process,” said Whitney Tang, a San Jose Regional Office senior retirement benefits counselor.
Proud to Provide Peace of Mind
Heuer, Tang, and our team of CalPERS retirement counselors throughout California want you to know they are ready to help provide you and your family peace of mind in times of crisis.
“It’s a very satisfying feeling knowing that a member’s last wishes and retirement benefits are being passed on to their loved ones,” said Renzo Vergara, an Orange Regional Office senior retirement benefits counselor who has been performing emergency retirements for the past 13 years. “Many members I have spoken with during emergency retirements have thanked me for clarifying questions, explaining retirement and health benefits, and ensuring their loved ones will be taken care of.”
If you have questions or need assistance regarding terminal illnesses or emergency retirements, contact CalPERS at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377).