Retirement Benefits

Changing Your Beneficiary After Retirement

10 months ago

When you retired, you may have designated a beneficiary (or multiple beneficiaries) to receive a lump-sum death benefit, a continuing monthly benefit, or both.  

However, during retirement, certain life events can impact your CalPERS benefits, such as a marriage, a divorce, or the death of your beneficiary. 

Depending on the type of life event, you may wish to make the following changes: 

  • Add a beneficiary or change your beneficiary designation 
  • Remove a beneficiary designation 
  • Request a benefit allowance increase 

Need to Change Your Beneficiary? 

It’s easy! You can change your beneficiary online through myCalPERS. Check out our video, When to Change Your Beneficiary Designation After Retirement, for a quick overview. 

Want to Learn More? 

To help you decide what changes, if any, to make to your CalPERS benefits if one of these events happens to you, review our publication Changing Your Beneficiary or Monthly Benefit After Retirement (PUB 98) (PDF).  

You can also call our Customer Contact Center at  888  CalPERS (or 888-225-7377) for help with your questions, or submit your questions online through your myCalPERS account.