Retirement Benefits

What Retirees Need to Know for 2026

1 month ago
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With 2026 here, it’s time to prepare for important updates that may affect your benefits, taxes, and health coverage. Whether you’re managing your benefits online or reviewing your options for the year ahead, here’s what you need to know to ensure a smooth transition into 2026.

Taxes

  • 1099-R Tax Form: If you’ve opted to go paperless, we will email you in early January when your 1099-R or W-2 is ready. If you didn’t opt in for electronic statements, you will continue to receive your paper tax statements by mail.
  • Tax Withholding: Your tax situation may change from year to year. If you need to adjust your federal or California state withholding amounts that are deducted from your monthly benefit payments, there are a few ways to change your tax withholding.

Health care

  • Health Premium: The 2026 health plan premiums will go into effect on January 1. Log in to your myCalPERS account to view your specific health plan details.
  • Medicare Part B Premium Reimbursement: If you are a state or California State University retiree enrolled in a CalPERS Medicare health plan, you or your dependents may be entitled to a Medicare Part B premium reimbursement.
  • Pharmacy Benefits Manager: Pharmacy benefits for certain Basic and Medicare HMO and PPO plans will switch from OptumRx to CVS Caremark.

Retirement checks

  • Direct Deposit Statements: If you have direct deposit, you have two options to access your retirement check details anytime, anywhere, and on any device.
    • Automated phone system: Call us at 888 CalPERS (or 888 225-7377), 24 hours a day, seven days a week to access your retirement check details. Once authenticated, you’ll be able to hear the most current month’s gross and net payment amounts, and a detailed list of your payroll deductions.
    • Mobile device: Though our myCalPERS Pay Warrant app, you can view your current and past retirement checks in a convenient, secure, and flexible way. Access our myCalPERS Pay Warrant App Instructions (PDF) to learn how.

Don’t have direct deposit? You can sign up any time. To enroll online, log in to myCalPERS, go to the Retirement tab, and select Payment Options.

  • Retirement Check Statements: View your benefit statements in myCalPERS. These statements will indicate the amount deposited in your account each month, along with any itemized reimbursements or deductions.
  • Pay Dates 2026: The State Controller’s Office issues checks and determines mailing dates. You can download the 2026 Pay Days for CalPERS Retirees and Beneficiaries (PDF) calendar or view the 2026 pay dates online. Your December 2025 direct deposit will post on January 2, 2026, which is always dated the first day of the new year.
  • Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): Typically, this benefit begins the second calendar year of retirement, although the annual rate of inflation and retirement law could affect the onset of your COLA. Retirees receive an annual COLA paid in the May 1 warrant of each year. More details will be available on our website in spring 2026.

Fraud Prevention

  • Common Types of Fraud: Scammers often exploit the vulnerabilities of older adults, such as their perceived trust, isolation, and unfamiliarity with technology, turning the fight against fraud into a constant challenge. Learn more in our article, Help Yourself and Your Older Loved Ones Avoid Fraud.