Active Member Information

Overview

Active Member Information

You automatically become a member of the Retirement System on the date you commence employment in an eligible position.

About PEPRA

The State of California passed the Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) that amended certain sections of the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (better known as the “37 Act”) under which OCERS operates. The law created new benefit types for new employees/members entering public agency employment and public retirement system membership for the first time on or after 1/1/2013.

Eligibility

You are in an eligible position if you are employed by a participating agency as one of the following:

  •  A full-time employee
  •  A part-time employee scheduled to work 20 hours per week or more
  •  A limited term full-time employee
  •  A limited employee scheduled to work 20 hours per week or more

All other employees are ineligible for membership. These include part-time employees scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week, extra-help, and contract employees.

Beneficiary

Members are asked to designate a beneficiary upon employment, and update the designation when changes such as birth, death, marriage or divorce occur.  A beneficiary is a person that you (the member) name in writing to receive certain benefits provided by the plan upon your death.  For certain death benefits your Eligible Spouse or Qualified Domestic Partner must be listed at the time of your death.

Plan Names and Benefit Formulas

Various employers provide different benefit formulas. View a list by employers.

For Members Eligible to Choose A Retirement Benefit Plan Formula

Certain County of Orange and Superior Court employees who were active members of OCERS prior to January 1, 2013 who move to certain eligible positions with the County of Orange and Superior Court within six months if it is a new employer, or those who were employed by a reciprocal system prior to January 1, 2013, are required to elect their retirement benefit formula within 45 days of their hire date. Because the decision to select either the “1.62% at 65″ Plan P or “2.7% at 55″ Plan J is irrevocable, OCERS is providing a number of resources that can be viewed or printed to help eligible members select the benefit plan that’s better for them.

Below you will find links to information on contribution rates for both plans, as well as an overview of the impact your plan selection will have on your ultimate retirement allowance.  Please spend some time and weigh your options carefully before selecting your benefit formula.

Resources