Classic Enrollment Validation Process

October 29, 2026
Circular Letter: 200-047-26
Topic: Membership

To: All CalPERS Employers

Purpose

The purpose of this Circular Letter is to inform you of a process the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) conducts to validate compliant member enrollment in classic benefits. This process applies when a member completes the Reciprocal Self-Certification Form (CalPERS-2593) (PDF) upon hire and indicates reciprocal employment that entitles them to classic benefits.

Reciprocal Self-Certification Process

When hired, you must provide employees who qualify for CalPERS membership with the Reciprocal Self-Certification Form. This form allows the employee to report their membership details for other retirement systems and certify the accuracy of the information. You are then required to input the certified information into myCalPERS, which determines whether the employee is enrolled in either classic or Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) benefits.

We strongly recommend that you collect supporting documentation to verify the information provided by the employee on the Reciprocal Self-Certification Form at the time of enrollment. Errors in enrollment can lead to retroactive adjustments to both member and employer contributions, delays in processing retirement benefits, and inaccuracies in benefit payments, potentially resulting in adjustments to the member’s retirement benefits.

Establishing Reciprocity

If the member later requests reciprocity with a qualified reciprocal retirement system within one year of being appointed to their current position, we will use the information certified by the reciprocal system to confirm the member’s enrollment level.

Classic Reciprocity Verification

If reciprocity is not requested within one year of a member being enrolled in classic benefits, the member will receive a letter and form requesting documentation to confirm their reciprocal membership. The preferred method is for the member to ask the qualified reciprocal system to complete the enclosed form and return it to CalPERS.

Until verified, a hold will be placed on the member’s account, preventing retirement or refund processing. If no response is received after 90 days, the member will receive a letter advising of the hold on their account and reminding them of this verification requirement.

Employer Action

If, after verifying the reciprocal membership information, it is determined the member is incorrectly enrolled in the classic enrollment level, we will notify you and request that you make the necessary enrollment corrections, including payroll corrections, that could impact member and employer contributions previously reported.

You are responsible for collecting and remitting member contributions along with paying any employer contributions owed as a result of these adjustments. Any employer contributions due back will be credited to the employer’s account.

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