Retirement

UC offers comprehensive retirement benefits — including a choice between a pension and a standalone 401(k)-style account — along with savings programs and educational and counseling resources to help you plan for a secure and rewarding retirement.

Learn more about your eligibility for retirement benefits.

Primary retirement benefits

UC’s primary retirement benefits provide a strong foundation for your income in retirement, with costs shared by you and UC. Your benefits depend on your unior representation and when you were hired or rehired into an eligible position (referred to as your “UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) tier”).

Employees who are not eligible for primary retirement benefits may be eligible to participate in the Defined Contribution Plan (the “DC Plan”) as Safe Harbor participants.

If you’re represented by a union

Your union and UC negotiate retirement benefits as part of the bargaining process and finalize the details in your bargaining unit’s contract.

Most represented and non-represented employees are eligible for the same retirement benefits, depending on when they were hired. However, your benefits are different from what’s described below if you are a member of:

FUPOA or IAFF, Davis

Members of the Federated University Police Officers Association (FUPOA) or International Association of Firefighters (IAFF, Davis) are eligible for pension benefits through the UCRP Tier for Safety Members (PDF).

AFSCME, CNA, or UPTE

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), California Nurses Association (CNA), or University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) are eligible for pension benefits through the UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) Modified 2013 Tier.

If you became a member of UCRP before July 1, 2013, you are a member of the 1976 Tier until you incur a break in service (leave UC for a specified amount of time).