Two people in a garden working together.

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 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 retirement benefits are negotiated between UC and your union and finalized in your bargaining unit’s contract.

Retirement benefits for staff in certain police or firefighting positions are outlined in the UCRP Summary Plan Description for Safety Members PDF.
Employees represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), California Nurses Association (CNA), or University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) who were hired or became UCRP-eligible on or after July 1, 2013, are members of the UCRP Modified 2013 Tier. AFSCME, CNA and UPTE employees who became members of UCRP prior to July 1, 2013, are members of the 1976 Tier until they incur a break in service.