As public agencies head into the end of the 2020-2021 fiscal year and prepare for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, it is the perfect time of year for agencies that contract with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) to refresh their knowledge about upcoming deadlines and requirements. Below are the key CalPERS deadlines and requirements
Retirement
Special Bulletin: California Supreme Court Leaves The California Rule Largely Intact in Highly Anticipated Opinion Concerning Public Employee Pension Rights
On July 30, 2020, the California Supreme Court issued its decision in Alameda County Deputy Sheriff’s Assn. v. Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Assn. (Alameda). It was anticipated that the Court would address the continuing viability of the “California Rule.” Under the California Rule, a public employee is vested in a pension benefit…
CalPERS Issues Circular Letter Explaining How Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Should be Tracked and Reported
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) has answered several outstanding questions concerning how paid leave hours taken under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) should be tracked and reported. On April 16, 2020, CalPERS issued Circular Letter No. 200-021-20 which explains how to report compensation and track hours for employees taking leave under…
Update: CalPERS Suspends Retired Annuitant Work Hour Limitation during COVID-19 Emergency
On March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-25-20. The executive order, among other things, suspended certain restrictions applicable to retired annuitants. On March 18, 2020, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) issued Circular Letter 200-015-20, which explains the restrictions that are suspended for the duration of the state of emergency caused…
California Supreme Court May Soon Decide the Fate Of The “California Rule”

The California Supreme Court will soon schedule oral argument in controversial cases involving legislative pension reform impacting the pension benefits of state and local government employees. By the close of 2020, the Supreme Court will issue a decision that may very well strike at the heart of the so-called “California Rule.”
For nearly 60 years,…
Location, Location, Location! Employees May Qualify for Disability Retirement If They Can No Longer Perform Their Usual Job Duties At The Location Where Their Employer Will Allow Them To Work
Plaintiff Cari McCormick worked as an appraiser for Lake County. In 2010, she started to experience physical pain throughout her body and felt constantly fatigued. McCormick’s symptoms worsened when she was in her office environment but felt much better if she was at home or outside. McCormick was eventually told by her supervisors that she…