Here are some resources to help you access your healthcare and benefits during this difficult time.
Access Your Healthcare
If a wildfire or other emergency has affected your ability to receive care, your CalPERS health plan can help you continue accessing the services you need. Find answers to common questions about:
- Getting routine or urgent care if you’ve been displaced
- Accessing prescription medications
- Replacing a lost health plan ID card
- Updating your permanent or temporary address
- Understanding how your health plan will cover care during an emergency
For more information visit our webpage FAQs: Accessing Health Care During a Disaster.
Stay Connected With myCalPERS
If you haven’t already registered for myCalPERS, now is a great time to get it done. Your secure online account lets you manage your CalPERS benefits anytime, from anywhere.
With myCalPERS, you can:
- Send secure messages about your account
- View and print benefit and tax statements
- Apply for retirement online
- Estimate your retirement benefit
- Review your health plan information
- Add or change beneficiaries
Visit Using myCalPERS for step-by-step registration instructions. In a natural disaster situation, you never know when you might need instant access to these useful tools.
Update Your Mailing Address
If you’ve been temporarily or permanently displaced, keeping your contact information current helps ensure you continue receiving important communications from CalPERS.
Active Employees: Notify your personnel office of your address change and they will update your information with us.
Retirees: If you have your monthly benefit payment mailed to your home, notify us of your new address as soon as possible. Use one of these options:
- Change your address online by logging in to myCalPERS.
- Contact us by phone at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377).
- Download, complete, and return an Address Change Authorization (PDF) form by mailing or faxing it to the number shown on the form.
- Send us your new address in writing to:
Retirement Benefit Services Division
P.O. Box 942716
Sacramento, CA 94229-2716
Find out more about Name or Address Changes.
Set Up Direct Deposit
Mail delivery can be delayed during emergencies. Direct deposit is the fastest and most secure way to receive your monthly payment without interruption.
Active Employees: Contact your personnel office or financial institution.
Retirees: With direct deposit your monthly benefit payments are securely deposited in your financial institution.
There are two ways to sign up:
- By mail: Complete and mail the Direct Deposit Authorization (PDF).
- Online: Log in to myCalPERS. Go to the Retirement tab and select Payment Options.
After your request is processed, we’ll send you a confirmation letter — or, if there’s an issue and more information is needed, correspondence with an explanation.
Applying for Retirement During an Emergency
If you’re planning to retire in the aftermath of a wildfire or any other emergency, you can do so through two different methods: Online through myCalPERS or by mail.
The benefits to filing online include:
- Being able to submit your application 24/7
- Saving your progress and returning later
- Uploading supporting documents securely
- Instant confirmation for a submitted application
- Using an electronic signature to eliminate the notary requirement
If you prefer to apply by mail, follow the instructions included in the Service Retirement Election Application (PDF) and submit all required documents to the address listed on the form.
Need assistance? Review the Service Retirement Election Application (PUB 43) (PDF), take the online Member Education class, Completing Your Retirement Application, or simply call us during business hours at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377).
Additional Recovery Resources
If you’ve been affected by a wildfire or another disaster, these organizations may also be able to help:
- Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP) for disaster assistance information and application resources
- California Employment Development Department (EDD) for disaster-related employment services
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal disaster assistance programs
- California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for statewide wildfire recovery resources
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for disaster-related tax relief and recovery information
We’re Here to Help
If you have questions about your CalPERS benefits, our team is here to support you.
For account-specific questions, log in to myCalPERS and send us a secure message through the Message Center.
You can also contact us by phone at 888 CalPERS (888-225-7377), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding state holidays).