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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 3Art. 2§ 20309 Retirement Plan Coverage Election

§ 20309 Retirement Plan Coverage Election

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

§ 20309 Retirement Plan Coverage Election

Key Takeaways

  • •If you were in this retirement system before and get a new job that usually requires joining the Teachers’ Retirement Plan, you can choose to stay in your old retirement system instead.
  • •You must tell your new boss in writing within 60 days of starting the new job if you want to stay in the old system.
  • •This rule only applies if you worked for a school or education group in the last 120 days before the new job OR if you already have at least 5 years in the old system.
  • •If you choose to stay, it starts from your first day at the new job.

Example

A teacher worked at a community college for 6 years and was part of the state retirement system. They then get a new job at a public school that usually requires joining the Teachers’ Retirement Plan.

The teacher can choose to stay in the old retirement system instead of switching. They must fill out a form and give it to their new boss within 60 days of starting the new job.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 20309 Retirement Plan Coverage Election

(a) A member of the system described in subdivision (b) who subsequently is employed to perform service subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers’ Retirement Plan, may elect to retain coverage by this system for that subsequent service. An election to retain coverage under this system shall be submitted in writing by the member to the employer on a form prescribed by the system within 60 days after the member’s date of hire to perform service that requires membership in the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers’ Retirement Plan. The employer shall retain a copy of the employee’s signed election form and submit the original signed form to the system. A member who elects to retain coverage under this system pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be a school member while employed by a school employer. (b) This section shall apply to a member of the system who either (1) was employed by a school employer, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, or the State Department of Education within 120 days before the member’s date of hire to perform service that requires membership in the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers’ Retirement Plan or (2) has at least five years of credited service under this system. (c) Any election made pursuant to this section shall become effective as of the first day of employment in the position that qualified the member to make an election. (d) A member providing emergency teaching services pursuant to Executive Order No. N-3-22 is eligible to elect to retain coverage under this section, notwithstanding the requirements in subdivision (a). The exception in this subdivision does not exempt any individual from any other requirement for eligibility to make the election authorized by this section. The eligibility to elect to retain coverage as authorized by this subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2024. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 52, Sec. 100. (AB 181) Effective June 30, 2022.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

electionretirementemploymenteducationdefined benefit programstate teachersgovernorschool

Related Statutes

  • § 20309.7 School Employee Retirement Credits
  • § 20325 Part-Time Employee Retirement Election
  • § 21025.5 School Member Public Service
  • § 20306 Employee Retirement Plan Eligibility
  • § 31486.8 Employee Retirement Plan Election

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 20309.
View Official Source