Marriage means business when it comes to your CalPERS benefits. Make the most of your new spousal benefits, such as enrolling your new spouse or domestic partner in your health plan, your beneficiary designation, and more.
Did You Know: You Have 60 Days to Enroll Your Spouse in Your Health Plan
Did you know that getting married is considered a qualifying life event that prompts a special enrollment period to add your new spouse or domestic partner to your health plan?
To add your spouse or registered domestic partner to your health plan, you must:
- Add them within 60 days after the date of your marriage or registration of your domestic partnership.
- Provide a copy of your marriage certificate or Declaration of Domestic Partnership.
- Provide your spouse’s or domestic partner’s Social Security number.
If you’re still working, contact your personnel office as soon as possible to add your new spouse and any stepchildren to your health coverage.
If you’re retired, contact us as soon as possible to add your new spouse and any stepchildren to your coverage.
Did You Know: Marriage Revokes Your Beneficiary Designation
Your marriage revokes a beneficiary designation you may have on file. In most instances, you must be married for at least one year prior to your retirement date for survivor benefits to be payable to your spouse.
If you need to make changes, log in to your myCalPERS account to make changes online or complete the appropriate designation form:
- Active members – Pre-Retirement Lump Sum Beneficiary Designation (PDF)
- Retirees – Changing Your Beneficiary or Monthly Benefit After Retirement (PUB 98) (PDF)
If you’re retired, consider updating your life option beneficiary, and review your current tax withholding and exemptions. To make changes, log in to your myCalPERS account or complete our Tax Withholding Election (PDF).
Did You Know: You Should Also Notify Your Deferred Compensation Plan
Contact your employer or the savings plan directly to report your marriage, and to review or change your beneficiary if you participate in the following plans:
Did You Know: Your Pension is Considered Community Property
In California, all types of retirement benefits are considered community property. Therefore, your CalPERS account may be subject to a community property division upon a legal separation, divorce, or termination of domestic partnership.
Read more about divorce, your pension, and community property in our PERSpective article.