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UC Retirement Choice (2016 Tier) if you’re not subject to PEPRA

For rehired, newly eligible and former CalPERS-covered faculty and staff who are not subject to the maximum on pensionable earnings under the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

When it comes to choosing your primary (required) retirement benefits, you have two options — Pension Choice or Savings Choice. The sooner you enroll, the sooner you start receiving UC contributions (and service credit under Pension Choice).

Both options are designed to provide retirement income in addition to Social Security benefits and any retirement savings you may have. 

If you enroll in Savings Choice, you will have a “second choice window” to switch from Savings Choice to Pension Choice after five years. Enrollment in Pension Choice cannot be revoked. Whether you select Pension Choice, are enrolled in Pension Choice after 90 days, or switch to Pension Choice during your second choice window, you may not change your participation from Pension Choice to Savings Choice.

For details about your UCRP 2016 Tier benefits, please see A Complete Guide to Your Retirement Benefits.

On this page:

Eligibility

If you worked for UC before July 1, 2016, or you are a CalPERS “Classic Member,” some provisions of the UC Retirement Choice Program may not apply to you and your retirement benefits choices will be a bit different. You are eligible for the choice of primary retirement benefits described below if you:

  • Are a prior active member of UCRP who was rehired on or after July 1, 2016 into an eligible faculty or career staff appointment, after a qualified break in UC service (between one and two months);
  • Were hired by UC before July 1, 2016 and became eligible for Retirement Choice benefits on or after that date; or
  • Were hired by UC on or after July 1, 2016 and are classified as a “Classic Member” under CalPERS eligible for reciprocity with UC.

Please note: If your original UCRP entry date was before July 1, 1994, and you are rehired in an eligible appointment, you will automatically become an active member of UCRP and will not be eligible to choose between Pension Choice and Savings Choice.

If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the UC Retirement Administration Service Center at (800) 888-8267. New UC employees who were classified as a “Classic Member” under CalPERS and are also eligible for reciprocity with UC need to self-identify.

If you’re represented by a union, your retirement benefits are governed by your union’s contract with UC. As a result, your benefits may be different than the benefits outlined here. Please refer to your collective bargaining agreement for details.

Compare your options

Whichever option you choose, once you enroll: 

  • Required pretax contributions of 7% of your eligible pay (up to the IRS maximum) will be deducted from your paycheck; your contributions belong to you. 
  • UC will contribute to your retirement benefits. 
  • You’ll earn service credit toward UC’s retiree health benefits. 

Read A Complete Guide to Your UC Retirement Benefits (PDF) for details and see below to make sure you understand a few very important differences.

Making your choice

The sooner you decide which option is best for you — Pension Choice or Savings Choice — the sooner you start receiving UC contributions and service credit. You have 90 days from your retirement option eligibility date to choose a primary retirement benefit; your enrollment window closes once you submit a choice. If you don’t choose a primary retirement option, you automatically will be enrolled in Pension Choice at the end of the 90-day period.

Once you’ve decided which option is best for you, making your choice is fast and easy.

See step-by-step instructions (PDF) for how to enroll.

  1. Make your choice online at myUCretirement.com/choose You’ll get a quick refresher on the options and how they compare.
  2. Register and log in when prompted. Then select the option you’ve decided works best for you.
  3. You’ll receive a confirmation statement reflecting your choice.
  4. Your contributions will begin to be deducted from your paycheck following your choice (usually within one to two pay periods).

Definitions

See below for definitions of some of the terms used on this page.

Employee benefits

Manage your benefits

Make your choice: the sooner the better!

If you miss the 90-day deadline, you’ll be enrolled in Pension Choice with no option to switch later. And you don’t receive UC contributions or service credit until you enroll or you default into Pension Choice, so every day counts.

Resources to help you choose

New to UC?

Welcome! Check out our benefits roadmap for new employees and attend a UCPath benefits orientation webinar.

Represented by a union?

Your benefits are negotiated between UC and your union. See your bargaining unit’s contract for details.