Educational Sessions
From all levels of leadership to employees on the front lines of day-to-day operations, the CalPERS Educational Forum has something for everyone. Review the sessions we have scheduled* and the audience recommendations for each to find those best suited to your CalPERS role.
*Schedule subject to change.
TUE
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Recommended for:
All AttendeesReady to broaden your understanding of CalPERS beyond your specific role? In addition to serving over 2 million members in our retirement system and administering benefits for more than 1.5 million members and their families in our health program, we offer many additional benefit programs. Learn more about all things CalPERS, including our history, the structure and role of the Board of Administration, and other programs and benefits, including:
- Defined benefit plan and funding sources
- California Employers’ Retiree Benefit Trust
- Educational opportunities and online resources
- myCalPERS for members and employers
- Supplemental Income 457 Plan
Coordinating Exhibit
- Member Education & Resources
Recommended for:
Human ResourcesPayrollJoin our experts to better understand your role in the retirement process. We’ll give you the information you need to be fully prepared to address issues regarding:
- Applying for retirement
- Impacts of payroll on retirement calculations
- Reciprocity compensation exchange
- Reporting unused sick leave
- Post-retirement adjustments
Coordinating Exhibit
- Understanding Your Role in the Retirement Process
Recommended for:
Finance Leaders and ManagersThe actuarial valuation process determines your funded status and your contribution requirements. What are the key components of this extremely complex process that you need to understand to succeed in your role as a plan sponsor? Join our actuaries to find out what's most important to know and how to find it in your valuation reports.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Actuarial Services
Coordinating Consultation
- Meet Your Actuaries One-on-One
Recommended for:
FinanceHuman ResourcesPayrollDoes your agency hire retired annuitants? Learn what rules apply to CalPERS retirees when they return to work and how to report retired annuitants. Join us for this interactive session to review working-after-retirement laws and to better understand what happens if post-retirement employment is not reported accurately and on time. Formatting note: Session facilitators will provide a variety of scenarios for you to work through in groups with fellow colleagues to help strengthen your understanding.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Post-Retirement Employment
10:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Recommended for:
All AttendeesAs an employer, you're also a CalPERS member. The more you know about CalPERS retirement benefits and how they fit into your financial future, the more of a trusted resource you'll be for your employees. We'll cover:
- How your retirement benefit is calculated
- Factors to consider when preparing for retirement
- Features available through myCalPERS
Coordinating Exhibit
- Member Education & Resources
Recommended for:
Finance Leaders and ManagersAs a finance officer, understanding all the factors that impact your employees’ pension plan is critical, particularly future required contributions and the security of member benefits. While future costs can’t be perfectly predicted, they can be analyzed assuming a variety of scenarios using CalPERS-developed tools.
Join our actuaries as they introduce you to the Managing Employer Contribution tool and the Pension Outlook Tool. They’ll demonstrate how these tools can help you project future outcomes under various scenarios, including future investment returns, discount rates, and the potential implications of additional discretionary payments towards your plan’s unfunded liabilities. In addition, we’ll have a finance officer on hand from one of our contracting agencies to explain how the tools are being used by their agency for budgeting purposes. This is an interactive session so all questions are welcome!
Coordinating Exhibit
- Actuarial Services
Coordinating Consultation
- Meet Your Actuaries One-on-One
Recommended for:
Human ResourcesLeaders and ManagersMembershipPayrollWho’s eligible for CalPERS membership and who’s excluded? Should you report optional members in CalPERS? Get the answers to these questions and more as you learn about the complex membership issues that can arise at CalPERS agencies. Formatting note: Session facilitators will provide a variety of scenarios for you to work through in groups with fellow colleagues to help strengthen your understanding.
Coordinating Exhibits
- Membership Essentials
- Member Elections & Special Enrollment Verification
Recommended for:
Health Benefits Human ResourcesHealth benefits officers: the key to successful health benefits administration starts here. Learn about the foundation of health business rules to help you conduct CalPERS health benefits business and better understand your responsibilities associated with the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act.
Session topics include:
- Eligibility and enrollment requirements
- Health benefits into retirement
- Health plan options
- Preferred communication methods
- Resources to conduct CalPERS health business
Coordinating Exhibits
- Health Eligibility & Enrollment
- Employer Education & Resources
Coordinating Consultation
- CalPERS Health Program
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Recommended for:
Health BenefitsHuman ResourcesGet an in-depth look at the more complex matters you need to know in the process of administering your employees’ CalPERS health benefits. Topics include requirements for parent-child relationships and disabled dependents, coordinating Medicare coverage with CalPERS, and how your agency can benefit from timely reconciliation of your monthly health premium statement. We’ll also cover:
- Rules surrounding timely enrollments
- Mandatory events
- Direct pay vs. COBRA
- Billing cut-off dates
This session is appropriate for agencies that currently contract with CalPERS for health benefits and those considering it.
Coordinating Exhibits
- Health Eligibility & Enrollment
- Introduction to Health Business Rules
Recommended for:
Human ResourcesLeaders and ManagersMembershipPayrollWhether you’re new in your role at a CalPERS-contracting agency or if you need a refresher, this session will cover all membership classifications for new human resources and payroll staff.
Coordinating Exhibits
- Membership Essentials
- Member Elections & Special Enrollment Verification
Recommended for:
Finance Fiscal Leaders and ManagersSubject matter experts will discuss the tools and strategies used by public agencies to reduce and stabilize expensive and volatile pension costs, including how to:
- Incorporate a pension 115 trust into your funding policy
- Use additional discretionary payments to reduce unfunded actuarial liabilities
- Integrate local agency investment funds and/or county treasury into your strategy
- Initiate pension obligation bonds
Coordinating Exhibit
- Prefunding OPEB & Pension With CERBT & CEPPT
Coordinating Consultation
- CERBT & CEPPT Employer Account Performance Updates & Discussions
Recommended for:
FiscalHuman ResourcesPayrollDo you know what steps to take when an employee passes away? Learn about the benefits paid and why it's important for employees to have Beneficiary Designation and Special Power of Attorney forms on file with CalPERS. You'll also receive essential information on:
- How to report the death of a member
- Pre-retirement death benefits
- Enhancing your death benefit provisions
- Emergency retirement counseling
Coordinating Exhibits
- Survivor Benefits: Important Protections for Your Employees
- Power of Attorney & Lump Sum Beneficiary Designation
2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Recommended for:
All Attendees Finance Leaders and ManagersIt has been an exciting year of change for the CalPERS Investment Office with the addition of new senior leaders and a renewed focus on innovative strategic portfolio management in an efficient and risk-aware manner. Join us to meet Nicole Musicco, our new chief investment officer, and hear her priorities for long-term success.
Recommended for:
Human ResourcesPayrollLearn how to provide social security coverage for your employees by establishing new Section 218 agreements and executing modifications. We’ll walk you through common withholding errors employers make and discuss how to maintain compliance. Formatting note: Session facilitators will provide a variety of scenarios for you to work through in groups with fellow colleagues to help strengthen your understanding.
Coordinating Exhibit
- State Social Security Administrator
Recommended for:
Finance Fiscal Payroll Human ResourcesWant to ensure your employees’ retirement benefits are calculated correctly? You play a critical role in reporting and documenting membership, payroll, and service credit for retirement. We’ll help you get it right by reviewing your business-related responsibilities and providing resources to optimize your processes.
Session topics include:
- Membership eligibility
- Payroll deadlines, fees, and waivers
- Reporting special compensation
- Retirement benefits
- Retirement contract information
- Working after retirement
Coordinating Exhibit
- Employer Education & Resources
WED
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Recommended for:
All AttendeesHuman ResourcesPayrollJoin us to go over the different types of Social Security coverage employees have and how a CalPERS pension may impact Social Security benefits.
Coordinating Exhibit
- State Social Security Administrator
Recommended for:
All AttendeesHealth BenefitsHuman ResourcesLeaders and ManagersLearn about the key strategic areas our CalPERS Health Benefits Program is focused on as we pursue exceptional health care for our members. We’ll cover impactful new initiatives to improve member experience and to advance primary care, telehealth, and health equity. We’ll also talk about where opportunities exist to lower health care costs.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Health Benefits: Advantages of Joining CalPERS
Coordinating Consultation
- CalPERS Health Program
Recommended for:
FinanceLeaders and ManagersThe actuarial valuation process determines your funded status and your contribution requirements. What are the key components of this extremely complex process that you need to understand to succeed in your role as a plan sponsor? Join our actuaries to find out what's most important for you to know and how to find it in your valuation reports.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Actuarial Services
Coordinating Consultation
- Meet Your Actuaries One-on-One
Recommended for:
Fiscal Human Resources PayrollJoin our Audit Compliance & Resolution team as they share scenarios related to:
- Common audit observations
- Misreported payroll reporting findings
- Labor policies and agreements for reporting special compensation items
You’ll learn how to avoid common issues, resolve your audit observations, and gain valuable information when going through an employer compliance review. Formatting note: Session facilitators will provide a variety of scenarios for you to work through in groups with fellow colleagues to help strengthen your understanding.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Employer Compliance Review
Coordinating Consultation
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Review & Compensation
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Recommended for:
FinanceFiscalLeaders and ManagersJoin our team of subject matter experts to hear about proven strategies used by public agencies and schools to optimize the prudent management of other post-employment benefit (OPEB) costs. We’ll share case studies showing best practices implemented over the past 15 years that have helped employers like you save money, improve financial reporting outcomes, and protect credit ratings.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Prefunding OPEB & Pension With CERBT & CEPPT
Coordinating Consultation
- CERBT & CEPPT Employer Account Performance Updates & Discussions
Recommended for:
FinanceFiscalLeaders and ManagersWhat’s the outlook for public pensions in California and around the country? Get a status update straight from the top. We’ll discuss key components of pension fund health, including funded status, discount rates, funding strategies, and risk management innovations.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Actuarial Services
Recommended for:
Health BenefitsHuman ResourcesMembershipPayrollLooking to enhance your efficiency with myCalPERS? Get up to speed about enhancements and functionality to help streamline processes and ensure accurate reporting. Together we’ll explore new and commonly accessed Cognos reports as well as myCalPERS educational resources to keep you on top of your game.
Coordinating Exhibits
- myCalPERS System Support
- myCalPERS Training
- Health Transactions: myCalPERS Support & Employer Reports
Coordinating Consultation
- myCalPERS Employer Consultations
Recommended for:
FiscalHuman ResourcesPayrollJoin our Audit Compliance & Resolution team as they share common scenarios related to:
- Common audit observations
- Misreported payroll report findings
- Labor policies and agreements for reporting special compensation items
You’ll learn how to avoid common issues, resolve your audit observations, and gain valuable information when going through an employer compliance review. Formatting note: Session facilitators will provide a variety of scenarios for you to work through in groups with fellow colleagues to help strengthen your understanding.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Employer Compliance Review
Coordinating Consultation
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Review & Compensation
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Recommended for:
FiscalHuman ResourcesLeaders and ManagersPayrollThere’s no more important step in processing a CalPERS retirement than to get the retirement compensation calculation right. Compliance is the key. Join us to learn the ABCs of compensation compliance reporting for public agencies so your employees receive the correct benefit amount they’ve earned when they retire. We’ll review:
- Day-to-day best practices
- Common compliance issues to avoid
- The latest regulatory requirements that affect your processes
Coordinating Exhibits
- Compensation Compliance & Review
- Employer Compliance Review
Coordinating Consultation
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Review & Compensation
Recommended for:
FiscalHuman ResourcesPayrollApplying for disability retirement is a time of high stress—employees are counting on you to get this right. Be sure you know the requirements and responsibilities for both the employer and employee. Session topics include:
- Competent medical opinion
- Differences between workers' compensation and retirement benefits
- Disciplinary actions vs. disability retirement
- Employer-originated applications
- Filing appeals
- Importance of completing retirement documents
- When to apply
Coordinating Exhibit
- Disability Retirement Best Practices
Recommended for:
Fiscal Human Resources PayrollJoin our Audit Compliance & Resolution team as they share common scenarios related to:
- Common audit observations
- Misreported payroll reporting findings
- Labor policies and agreements for reporting special compensation items
You’ll learn how to avoid common issues, resolve your audit observations, and gain valuable information when completing an employer compliance review. Formatting note: Session facilitators will provide a variety of scenarios for you to work through in groups with fellow colleagues to help strengthen your understanding.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Employer Compliance Review
Coordinating Exhibit
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Review & Compensation
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Recommended for:
Health Benefits Human ResourcesLeaders and ManagersAs the largest purchaser of public employee health benefits in California, we value and protect the health of our members. For over 50 years, the CalPERS Health Program has ensured California local public agency and school employees receive high-quality health benefits. Join us to learn how we put that experience to work for you. We’ll discuss:
- Unique protections that benefit local employers and members
- How we meet the needs of our 1,200 public agencies and schools
- Strategies and expertise we use to provide exceptional health care
This session is appropriate for agencies that currently contract with CalPERS for health benefits and those considering it.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Health Benefits: Advantages of Joining CalPERS
Coordinating Consultation
- CalPERS Health Program
Recommended for:
FinanceFiscalHuman ResourcesLeaders and ManagersAs an employer weighing retirement plans, you know employees are looking for value-added benefits to supplement their savings. Do you have the right mix? Join us to learn about the CalPERS 457 Plan. It’s a deferred compensation plan that gives public agency and school employees a convenient way to save for retirement through payroll deduction.
Learn why more than 800 employers choose the CalPERS 457 Plan:
- Easy administration: Low-fuss administration and payroll processing. Participant education is provided.
- Simplified investing: A streamlined lineup of investment options, including target dates funds.
- Investment oversight: We select and manage the fund lineup and serve as trustee of your employees’ deferred compensation assets.
- Low fees: There is no cost to your agency and participant fees are very low.
Coordinating Exhibit
- CalPERS 457 Plan
Coordinating Consultation
- CalPERS Supplemental Income 457 Plan
Recommended for:
All Attendees Finance Leaders and ManagersHow does the largest public pension fund in the United States stick to a long-term investment strategy while managing the impacts of record inflation, international instability, and volatile capital markets? Join our CalPERS investment office leaders for a discussion of its five-year strategic plan, including an overview of our investment office and operations, how the recent Asset Liability Management process impacts the fund and employers, and next steps after a challenging fiscal year.
THUR
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Recommended for:
All AttendeesAs an employer, you're also a CalPERS member. The more you know about CalPERS retirement benefits and how they fit into your financial future, the more of a trusted resource you'll become for your employees. We'll cover:
- How your retirement benefit is calculated
- Factors to consider when preparing for retirement
- Features available through myCalPERS
Coordinating Exhibit
- Member Education & Resources
Recommended for:
Finance Human Resources PayrollDoes your agency hire retired annuitants? Learn what rules apply to CalPERS retirees when they return to work and how to report retired annuitants. Join us for this interactive session to review working-after-retirement laws and to better understand what happens if post-retirement employment is not reported accurately and on time. Formatting note: Session facilitators will provide a variety of scenarios for you to work through in groups with fellow colleagues to help strengthen your understanding.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Post-Retirement Employment
Recommended for:
FiscalHuman ResourcesLeaders and ManagersPayrollThere’s no more important step in processing a CalPERS retirement than to get the retirement compensation calculation right. Compliance is the key. Join us to learn the ABCs of compensation compliance reporting for schools so your employees receive the correct benefit amount they’ve earned when they retire. We’ll review:
- Day-to-day best practices
- Common compliance issues to avoid
- The latest regulatory requirements that affect your processes
Coordinating Exhibits
- Compensation Compliance & Review
- Employer Compliance Review
Coordinating Consultation
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Review & Compensation
Recommended for:
Fiscal Human Resources PayrollJoin our Audit Compliance & Resolution team as they share common scenarios related to:
- Common audit observations
- Misreported payroll report findings
- Labor policies and agreements for reporting special compensation items
You’ll learn how to avoid common issues, resolve your audit observations, and gain valuable information when going through an employer compliance review. Formatting note: Session facilitators will provide a variety of scenarios for you to work through in groups with fellow colleagues to help strengthen your understanding.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Employer Compliance Review
Coordinating Consultation
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Review & Compensation
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Recommended for:
All AttendeesLeaders and ManagersLearn about our efforts to engage federal and state policymakers on issues that protect the fund as well as new laws that affect our members and employers.
Coordinating Exhibit
- Legislative Affairs (State & Federal)
Recommended for:
All AttendeesDon’t leave the Educational Forum with any unresolved issues. If you have questions, we have the panel session to answer them all on the final day of the Forum. Any operational topic is fair game, especially complicated issues that involve a collaborative solution across various parts of the organization. We’ll have leaders and experts from all CalPERS program areas on hand to address a wide variety of issues, including benefits, contracts, payroll, membership, service credit purchase, actuarial costs, health care, and disability retirement.
CalPERS Educational Forum
- Consultations & Exhibits
- Educational Sessions
- Registration & Hotel
- Spotlight on Excellence Award