Raquel Lozano, presenter for the California Public Employees Retirement System, led an online presentation explaining how retired members, beneficiaries and survivors can register for and use a myCalPERS account and the portal’s key features.

The presentation outlined why members should register, how to complete the five-step registration (which requires a Social Security number or a 10-digit CalPERS ID and date of birth), and how to log in using multifactor authentication. "myCalPERS is your secure personalized portal for managing your CalPERS benefits," Lozano said, noting members will receive an email verification link after registering and that a one-time code is sent to the registered email or phone at login.

Lozano demonstrated the account homepage, which displays net payment, gross amount and deductions, the next payment date (typically the first of the month) and, if enrolled, an overview of health benefits. The portal shows direct-deposit bank information, payment issue dates and itemized deductions such as taxes and health premiums.

For retired members, the retirement menu contains a benefit summary (net payment, benefit status, retirement date and chosen retirement option); a service-credit purchase page showing purchase type and payment status (example shown: tier conversion); an "apply for retirement" page listing application milestones and an anticipated gross monthly payment estimate; and payment options that include retirement check paydays and direct-deposit details.

The account also lists beneficiaries and explains the balance-of-contributions payment that may be payable if a retiree dies before receiving the full amount of contributions. Lozano said the retired death benefit shown in the demonstration is $2,000. Survivors may be eligible for a survivor continuance, a monthly allowance determined by law; Lozano noted survivors are defined by statute, whereas beneficiaries may be anyone the member names.

Lozano reviewed tax withholding options (federal and California state) and cautioned members to consult a tax advisor before making changes. She described the process to change a retirement option after retirement for qualifying events (marriage, registered domestic partnership, death of a beneficiary, annulment, divorce, legal separation or termination of domestic partnership), and listed typical documentation required (marriage certificate, death certificate, court orders, birthdate verification). She referenced Publication 98 as the CalPERS resource on changing beneficiaries or monthly benefits after retirement.

In the health section, Lozano showed the health-plan summary with monthly member share, employer share and total premium. She explained that even fully vested members may have a monthly cost, and demonstrated the Search and Compare Health Plans tool (members may select up to three plans to compare cost, coverage and satisfaction). She noted open enrollment occurs each fall and plan changes take effect Jan. 1. The demonstration showed one account with slightly more than 27 years counted toward health vesting.

Under statements and documents, Lozano showed how to view retirement benefit statements for prior years and how to request verification-of-income, Social Security breakdown, or verification-of-refund letters; requested PDFs are available for two years from the requested date. The education menu includes publications, classes, appointments (regional-office scheduling) and events. Lozano said CalPERS offers four instructor-led classes and four online, self-paced classes in the portal’s demonstration. She also described CalPERS benefits education events (referred to in the presentation as "CVs") that may include partners such as Social Security representatives.

Finally, Lozano demonstrated secure messaging in myCalPERS, noting members can send messages about their account and that most messages receive a response within five business days; an email notification is sent when a new message arrives.

Lozano closed by reminding viewers that CalPERS operates under the Public Employees' Retirement Law and that the presentation is general information; if the law and the video conflict, the law governs.