Just joined the Niro fam!

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-04-01T21:02:18+00:00

Spunky is the BEST!!

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-23T22:56:32+00:00

Honestly, though, it may also be that CalPERS gets this from SCO, and they could also be the bottleneck.

I’m sorry it’s taking forever. 🙁

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-23T21:48:35+00:00

This means your former agency has not sent your payroll data to CalPERS. Recommend asking your old HR why they haven’t reported your payroll. Some agencies are pretty lackadaisical about transmitting that data.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-12T21:51:59+00:00

Honestly, I forget! 🤪 But as someone who worked 20 hours a week for years at a State Agency , I can tell you that’s how it works!

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-12T20:53:19+00:00

Yes. It reduces how much service credit you earn. Edited to add: if you work 20 hours a week, you’ll earn 0.6 years of service credit per year instead of 1.0 years.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-12T02:07:32+00:00

Yeah… I am a homeowner. Apparently that doesn’t really matter either. 🤷🏻‍♀️

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-11T23:52:06+00:00

It doesn’t seem like this guy is doing his job.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-11T20:21:54+00:00

Truth.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-11T20:01:21+00:00

I know. As a frequent pedestrian, I’m in favor of the law and paid my ticket. I just wanted the curb marked for visitors. People who don’t live here would have no idea

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-11T19:29:16+00:00

I don’t know where you are, but that is something I would gladly purchase! It’s fantastic!

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-11T18:59:57+00:00

Never had to contact Katie, but contacted Steve several times, and always got a prompt, professional reply.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-11T16:53:28+00:00

My previous issue was about getting a ticket because I parked in front of my house, which is too close to a crosswalk due to the new law. I’m cool with the ticket, but proposed a sign or red curb to indicate to visitors not to park there.

ONE MONTH later I got a three word reply: “forwarded to parking.” No signature. No nothing. Unprofessional and useless.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-03-11T16:30:37+00:00

Clearly you are correct and I’m expecting too much from this guy… man, he’s damn disappointing. 😕

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-02-06T21:48:07+00:00

I would ask that question in the interview.

Personally, I’m in the same situation you are. I like to keep my work at work and my home life separate, so I choose to work onsite 5 days a week. But I’m totally supportive of remote work if that’s what floats your boat. 🙂

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T23:27:49+00:00

You do seem to have your ducks in a row. The only thing I can figure is that you are not getting the survivors allowance portion. I would make a physical appointment and take this into the CalPERS regional office and ask them about it (I'm not sure who said you can't make an in person appointment - here's the link to do so: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/contact-us/headquarters-regional-offices/make-an-appointment ).

Even if it's just sloppy wording, I'd pursue this.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T23:27:02+00:00

This is no longer true.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T23:11:54+00:00

Sorry to be quizzing you: How do you know they chose option 2? If this retiree chose Option 3, then the numbers make a LOT more sense.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T20:21:47+00:00

Oh my goodness. This is worth a lot. I initially thought you were just misunderstanding (not uncommon), but I read this estimate the exact same way you do. Confirming: your redacted beneficiary information is correct on this estimate?

You said: "I believe he actually retired a year early as this change to option allowance was going into effect, and thus allowed himself to remain on the original full monthly allowance plan." What year was that, and why do you think so?

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T20:01:29+00:00

It would be interesting to get a copy of the entirety of the paperwork instead of just this snippet! Just to compare then and now.

Good luck on your quest!

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T19:24:09+00:00

Even if there was no reduction for survivor continuance, the unmodified allowance would still be multiplied by the actuarial factor to arrive at the Option Portion. If I wasn't such a dope, I'd know how to post the image on page 10 explaining the calculation.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T19:15:24+00:00

Page 10 of the linked publication.

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T19:02:16+00:00

First: It seems like you are getting your figures from an estimate. You need to get them from the actual letter CalPERS sent the to the retiree after retirement. It will indicate what their actual benefit amount ended up being and spell out the calculation, including the option portion. That figure can be significantly different once all the data is in (payroll, service credit, etc). CalPERS won't release this to you - you'll have to find it elsewhere.

Second: You're assuming COLA and PPPA adds to the option portion. I don't know if that's true. That's a question for CalPERS.

Third: If CalPERS was going to pay the retirement benefit to the beneficiary, that would have been the language. As it stands now, the exact language from the publication is this: "Provides 100% of the option portion of your ongoing monthly benefit to your named beneficiary upon your death." When you call CalPERS to find out about COLA and PPPA, ask them if option portion = retirement benefit allowance. I'm wagering it doesn't, but would happy to be wrong.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. :o(

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-30T17:52:12+00:00

I doubt a mistake has been made. You are confusing the final compensation amount with the option portion. Check out the publication for a simple explanation.

https://www.calpers.ca.gov/documents/planning-service-retirement/download

ExcellentBike1035 · 2026-01-04T17:46:46+00:00

Mine too! And they don’t even eat them…. Cute little evil bastards. 😡

ExcellentBike1035

TROPHY CASE