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Item 505 - CalPERS Membership Chart

STATUS

APPOINTMENT TYPE

MEMBERSHIP MANDATORY
AT TIME OF APPOINTMENT

INITIALLY EXCLUDED, BUT MONITOR TIME WORKED

EXCLUDED

CURRENT CALPERS MEMBER

(Actively contributes, or has funds on deposit, or has service credits.)

Appointments OTHER THAN those listed below in EXCLUDED status.

Yes

 

 



 

 

EXCLUDED

(Regardless of current membership status.)

Employees covered by State Teachers Retirement System (GC 20300 [g]).

 

 

Yes

Student Assistants (GC 20300 [c]).

 

 

Yes

Extension faculty whose compensation is based on class enrollment (GC 20300 [j]).

 

 

Yes

Summer session or inter-session academic employment if the employee is otherwise FULLY employed (GC 20300 [k]).

 

 

Yes

Individuals employed as result of Job Training Partnership Act of 1982, CETA miscellaneous position on or after 07/01/1979. May buy-back earlier service (GC 20300 [f]).

 

 

 

Yes

​Special Consultant and Casual Worker appointments (GC 20636 and CCR 570.5)
​Yes

NOT A CURRENT MEMBER

(Was never a member or had contributions refunded.)

Full-time appointment for more than 6 months (GC 20305 [a][3][A]).

Yes

 

 

Full-time appointment for less than 6 months (GC 20305 [a][3][A]).

 

Yes1

 

Works an average of 20 hours per week; appointment is for one year or longer (GC 20305 [a][2]).

Yes

 

 

Works less than 20 hours per week (GC 20305 [a][3][B]).

 

Yes2

 

Irregular basis appointment (seasonal, emergency, hourly intermittent, substitute, special consultant, on-call, limited term, etc.)  (GC 20305 [a][3][B]).

 

Yes2

 

Temporary faculty (A52 appointment) for one academic year at full-time.

Yes3

 

 

Temporary faculty (A52 appointment) for one academic year at part-time.

 

Yes3

 

Temporary faculty (A52 appointment) for semester or quarter at full-time.  

 

Yes3

 

Temporary faculty (A52 appointment) for semester or quarter at part-time.  

 

Yes3

 

 

  1. Excluded from CalPERS membership for the first six months. If employment extends beyond six months, membership is mandatory, effective not later than the first day of the seventh month of employment (GC 20305 [a][3][A]). The employer is responsible for monitoring the employment period.

  2. Excluded until employee works 1000 hours (or 125 days if paid on a per diem basis) in a fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th). Membership is mandatory, effective not later than the first of the month following the month in which 1000 hours (or 125 days) is completed (GC 20305 [a][3][B]). Overtime worked is included when counting hours or days for purposes of determining qualifying membership. The employer is responsible for monitoring the number of hours worked.

  3. Temporary Faculty Eligibility Rules:

    • If appointed for an academic year at full-time, the employee qualifies for CalPERS membership at the time of the appointment.  

    • If appointed for an academic year at half-time or more, the employee qualifies for membership at the beginning of the third consecutive semester or at the beginning of the fourth quarter (GC 20305 [a][4]).  Note: The fourth quarter can be consecutive or after a one quarter break.  

    • If appointed for a non-academic year (e.g. 10-month or 12-month), CalPERS membership rules follow the same eligibility criteria as staff appointment types.   

    • For additional information, refer to Technical Letter HR/Benefits 2003-27 and HR/Benefits 2023-09 on the​ Systemwide Human Resources web site.  Specific questions concerning retirement membership should be directed to CalPERS at 1-888-225-7377.

 

 

Last Updated: May 22, 2023