New CSV Payroll File Upload Feature in myCalPERS

February 13, 2026
Circular Letter: 200-011-26
Topic: Payroll

To: All CalPERS Employers

Purpose

The purpose of this Circular Letter is to inform you of the new myCalPERS feature allowing employers to upload payroll data using CSV spreadsheet files for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS pension program. In the future, this feature will be available to the CalPERS 457 Plan and Judges' and Legislators' Retirement Systems.

Background

The new CSV file upload feature adds an additional reporting option in myCalPERS for employers currently submitting Earned Period and Adjustment payroll report types directly in myCalPERS. This provides greater flexibility and convenience for employers, supports a wider range of payroll systems, and helps reduce the likelihood of formatting errors.

CSV Reporting Resources

Information on the Payroll Contribution Reporting CSV file specifications, including field descriptions, field values, conditions, and character requirements, can be found in the Data Element Definitions Payroll Contribution Reporting File – CSV (PDF) available on our Technical Resources webpage. Additionally, a sample CSV file is available in the Payroll folder of the Employer's Technical Toolkit (ZIP, 10.8 MB).

Note: The test environment can be used to validate Payroll Contribution Reporting CSV files before uploading them to the myCalPERS live environment. This ensures file accuracy and compliance without impacting actual data. Alternatively, files can be tested in the live environment by setting the Test Report indicator to “true” to ensure transactions are validated but not posted, regardless of errors.

myCalPERS Access Roles

One of the following system access roles is required to enter and submit payroll information:

• Business Partner Payroll
• Business Partner Payroll Limited

Additional Resources

The following resources are available on the CalPERS website for employers:

• Data Element Definitions Payroll Contribution Reporting File – CSV (PDF): Provides electronic file data element definitions found within a Payroll Contribution Reporting CSV file
• Common Payroll Errors and Resolutions; Payroll Contribution Reporting CSV File (PDF): Provides resolutions to common payroll file error messages
• Payroll Contribution Reporting Template (CSV): CSV file template
• Technical Resources webpage: Provides technical information for file development and reporting in myCalPERS
• myCalPERS Payroll Reporting (PDF, 4.10 MB) student guide: Provides information to assist with earned period payroll reporting
• myCalPERS Payroll Adjustments (PDF, 2.99 MB) student guide: Provides information to assist with payroll adjustment reporting

Questions

If you have questions, call our CalPERS Customer Contact Center at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377888-225-7377).

Brad Hanson, Chief
Employer Account Management Division