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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 12Art. 2§ 21074 Second Tier Retirement Eligibility

§ 21074 Second Tier Retirement Eligibility

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

§ 21074 Second Tier Retirement Eligibility

Key Takeaways

  • •If you are in the Second Tier, you can retire at age 55 if you have worked for the state for at least 10 years.
  • •If you chose a special plan (Section 21077), you can retire at age 50 if you have worked for the state for at least 5 years, but you won’t get benefits unless you’ve worked 10 years (unless an exception applies).
  • •If you worked for the state for 5 years before 1985, you can retire at age 50 even if you haven’t worked 10 years total.
  • •You must apply in writing to retire.

Example

A person started working for the state in 1980 and worked for 5 years. They are now 50 years old and want to retire.

Because they worked for 5 years before 1985, they can retire at age 50 even if they didn’t work a total of 10 years.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21074 Second Tier Retirement Eligibility

(a) A state member who became subject to the Second Tier shall be retired for service upon his or her written application to the board if he or she has attained age 55 and is credited with 10 years of state service. (b) A state member who elected coverage under Section 21077, shall be retired for service upon his or her written application to the board if he or she has attained 50 years of age if subject to Section 21076 and is credited with five years of state service. No benefit shall be payable for service rendered under the Second Tier retirement formula unless the member has rendered 10 years of state service except as provided in subdivision (c). (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or (b), a state member in the Second Tier who is credited with five years of state service prior to January 1, 1985, may retire with less than 10 years of state service upon his or her written application to the board if he or she has attained age 50. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 237, Sec. 4. (AB 2472) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

Second Tierstate serviceSection 21077January 1, 1985

Related Statutes

  • § 21070 State Employee Benefit Options
  • § 21150 Disability Retirement Eligibility
  • § 21070.5 State Employee Retirement Benefits
  • § 21070.6 Pre-2013 Service Credit Eligibility
  • § 21070.7 National Guard Service Exemption

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 21074.
View Official Source