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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 12Art. 8§ 21221 Retired Persons Service Exceptions

§ 21221 Retired Persons Service Exceptions

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

§ 21221 Retired Persons Service Exceptions

Key Takeaways

  • •Retired people can work in certain jobs without losing their retirement benefits.
  • •They can work as school crossing guards, jurors, or in some government roles without affecting their retirement pay.
  • •If they fill in for a temporary job, they can’t work more than 960 hours in a year.
  • •They can’t get extra benefits like health insurance or workers’ compensation for these jobs.

Example

A retired teacher wants to help out as a school crossing guard.

The teacher can take the job without losing their retirement pay, and they won’t get extra benefits like workers’ compensation.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21221 Retired Persons Service Exceptions

A retired person may serve without reinstatement from retirement or loss or interruption of benefits provided by this system, as follows: (a) As a member of any board, commission, or advisory committee, upon appointment by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the President pro Tempore of the Senate, director of a state department, or the governing board of the contracting agency. However, the appointment shall not be deemed employment within the meaning of Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) and Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 6100) of the Labor Code, and shall not provide a basis for the payment of workers’ compensation to a retired state employee or to his or her dependents. (b) As a school crossing guard. (c) As a juror or election officer. (d) As an elective officer on and after September 15, 1961. However, all rights and immunities which may have accrued under Section 21229 as it read prior to that section’s repeal during the 1969 Regular Session of the Legislature are hereby preserved. (e) As an appointive member of the governing body of a contracting agency. However, the compensation for that office shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per month. (f) Upon appointment by the Legislature, or either house, or a legislative committee to a position deemed by the appointing power to be temporary in nature. (g) Upon employment by a contracting agency to a position found by the governing body, by resolution, to be available because of a leave of absence granted to a person on payroll status for a period not to exceed one year and found by the governing body to require specialized skills. The temporary employment shall be terminated at the end of the leave of absence. Appointments under this section shall be reported to the board and shall be accompanied by the resolution adopted by the governing body. (h) Upon interim appointment by the governing body of a contracting agency to a vacant position during recruitment for a permanent appointment and deemed by the governing body to require specialized skills or during an emergency to prevent stoppage of public business. A retired person shall only be appointed once to this vacant position. These appointments, including any made concurrently pursuant to Section 21224 or 21229, shall not exceed a combined total of 960 hours for all employers each fiscal year. The compensation for the interim appointment shall not exceed the maximum monthly base salary paid to other employees performing comparable duties as listed on a publicly available pay schedule for the vacant position divided by 173.333 to equal an hourly rate. A retired person appointed to a vacant position pursuant to this subdivision shall not receive any benefits, incentives, compensation in lieu of benefits, or any other forms of compensation in addition to the hourly rate. A retired annuitant appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall not work more than 960 hours each fiscal year regardless of whether he or she works for one or more employers. (i) Upon appointment by the Administrative Director of the Courts to the position of Court Security Coordinator, a position deemed temporary in nature and requiring the specialized skills and experience of a retired professional peace officer. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 833, Sec. 8. (SB 987) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

retired personreinstatement from retirementloss or interruption of benefitsboard, commission, or advisory committeeschool crossing guardjuror or election officerelective officerinterim appointment

Related Statutes

  • § 21231 Retired Elective Officer Service
  • § 21223 Retired Employee Litigation Testimony
  • § 21226 Retired Academic Service Limits
  • § 21227 Retired Faculty Service Limits
  • § 21222 Retired Officials' Pension Suspension

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 21221.
View Official Source