CTA believes all public employees and education employees in particular deserve secure retirement benefits with defined and equitable benefits. Both the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) and the Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) should remain autonomous contributory systems providing a single tier of benefits to all employees.
Two Distinct Public Employee Retirement Systems
California must maintain and keep strong its two defined benefit systems, the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) for employees from pre- kindergarten through higher education. Both systems should offer equal benefit structures and equal costs. All future members of CalSTRS and CalPERS are entitled to the same basic benefit structure provided for current members.
Defined Benefit Systems
Defined benefit retirement plans offer a moderate but secure retirement based upon a formula that will last for the members’ lifetime. Efforts to eliminate defined benefit retirement plans in favor of 401(k) style retirement plans should strongly be resisted.
Benefit Improvements
Benefit improvements must be applied on an equitable basis to all members and beneficiaries of CalSTRS/CalPERS. Ad hoc benefit increases, which aid one group of members to the disadvantage of another group of members, should be resisted.
Contributory Retirement Systems
The two public retirement systems must be contributory systems with costs shared by the employer, employees and the state. The Retirement Fund must be an inviolate trust fund solely for the benefit of members, retirees or survivors, without special consideration for any person or agency, including the state. The actuarial integrity of the CalSTRS/CalPERS Defined Benefit Program must be retained with full benefits maintained in any proposals to modify or create an alternate retirement system.
Retirement, Disability And Family Benefit Allowances
Retirement, Disability and Family Benefit Allowances must include adequate protection against inflation, either indexed to the California Consumer Price Index (CCPI) or realistic replacement value of the original allowance.
The Independence Of CalSTRS
The California State Teachers Retirement System should be an independent state agency headed by an independent teacher-majority board and administered by an executive officer not subject to political control.
Pensions
In states where teachers have a choice between a pension and a savings plan (like a 401k), they overwhelmingly choose a pension. See below for resources and information on the benefits of pensions.
New Educators: Three Things You Need to Know Now About Retirement
Are you a new educator? It’s never too early to start thinking about retirement. Check out this resource from NEA today.
The Intersection of the Teacher Pipeline, Pensions, and Teacher Retention
“Secure pension plans remain a critical component of maintaining a stable, long-term teaching workforce that is firmly rooted in their communities.”
Pensions Work Best for Our Schools, Communities and Educators
“Claims that teachers would be better served in 401k’s is simply not credible, with the only winner being Wall Street interests who collect higher fees through 401k-type plans.”
Additional Resources and Information on Pensions
- National Institute on Retirement Security – routinely features new studies and analysis on retirement in the United States
- National Public Pension Coalition video series
- National Public Pension Coalition Reports
- National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems research and publications
- UC Berkeley Labor Center Retirement Security studies and analyses
