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HomeEducation CodeCh. 10§ 22508 Retirement System Election Rights

§ 22508 Retirement System Election Rights

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 22508 Retirement System Election Rights

Key Takeaways

  • •If you work in a school or college and switch to a job that requires joining a different retirement plan, you can choose to stay in your current retirement plan instead.
  • •This choice only applies to certain state jobs, like teachers, librarians, or similar roles.
  • •If you're already in the Public Employees’ Retirement System and switch to a job that requires joining the Defined Benefit Program, you can choose to stay in your current retirement plan.
  • •Once you make this choice, you can't change your mind later.

Example

A teacher working in a school district gets a new job with the state as an educational consultant.

The teacher can choose to stay in their current school retirement plan instead of joining the state's retirement plan. This choice is final and can't be changed later.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 22508 Retirement System Election Rights

(a) A member who becomes employed by the same or a different school district or community college district, or a county superintendent, or who becomes employed by the state in a position described in subdivision (b), to perform service that requires membership in a different public retirement system, and who is not excluded from membership in that public retirement system, may elect to have that service subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program of this plan and excluded from coverage by the other public retirement system. If that election is made, the service performed for the employer in that position as of the date of hire shall be considered creditable service for purposes of this part. (b) Subdivision (a) shall apply to a member who becomes employed by the state only if the member is also one of the following: (1) Represented by a state bargaining unit that represents educational consultants, professional educators, or librarians employed by the state. (2) Excluded from the definition of “state employee” in subdivision (c) of Section 3513 of the Government Code, but performing, supervising, or managing work similar to work performed by employees described in paragraph (1). (3) In a position not covered by civil service and in the executive branch of government, but performing, supervising, or managing work similar to work performed by employees described in paragraph (1). (c) A member of the Public Employees’ Retirement System who is subsequently employed to perform creditable service requiring coverage by the Defined Benefit Program of this plan may elect to have that subsequent service subject to coverage by the Public Employees’ Retirement System and excluded from coverage by the Defined Benefit Program pursuant to Section 20309 of the Government Code. (d) An election made by a member pursuant to this section shall be irrevocable. (Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 416, Sec. 8. (SB 1165) Effective January 1, 2019.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

Defined Benefit Programcreditable servicepublic retirement systemirrevocable

Related Statutes

  • § 22508.7 Retirement System Service Election
  • § 22515 Defined Benefit Program Election
  • § 22501 Mandatory School District Membership
  • § 22502 Part-Time School Employee Membership
  • § 22503 Substitute Teacher Program Membership

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 22508.
View Official Source