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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 4Pt. 3Ch. 3Art. 6§ 31628 Member Contribution Withdrawal Rules

§ 31628 Member Contribution Withdrawal Rules

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

§ 31628 Member Contribution Withdrawal Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •If you quit your job (but don’t die or retire), you can ask to get back the money you put into your retirement fund.
  • •The retirement board might take out a small fee (called a 'withdrawal charge') from your money before giving it to you.
  • •They can wait up to 6 months after you leave to give you your money.
  • •If you don’t ask for your money, they’ll send you a letter. If you still don’t claim it within 5 or 10 years (depending on when you started working), they’ll keep your money and put it into the pension fund.

Example

Imagine you worked for a school for 5 years and then quit to start your own business. While working, part of your paycheck went into a retirement fund.

You can ask the retirement board to give you back the money you put in. They might take a small fee and could make you wait up to 6 months. If you forget to ask for your money, they’ll send you a letter. If you ignore it for 5 years (since you started after 1976), they’ll keep your money forever.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 31628 Member Contribution Withdrawal Rules

If the service of a member is discontinued other than by death or retirement, upon proper application submitted to the retirement board, they shall be paid all of their accumulated contributions, in accordance with this chapter, minus a withdrawal charge, if a withdrawal charge has been provided for by the regulations of the board. The board may order payment in whole or in part withheld for a period not to exceed six months after date of separation. If a member does not file the proper application, the board shall send to the member, not more than 90 days after termination of service, at their last known address, a registered or certified letter stating that they have money to their credit on the books of the retirement system and that if they do not claim the money within 10 years after date of notice, in the case of persons first employed before January 1, 1976, or within five years in the case of persons first employed on and after January 1, 1976, the money will be deposited in and become a part of the current pension reserve fund. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 117, Sec. 7. (AB 2770) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

retirementseparationterminationfireclaimemployeeregulationdeath

Related Statutes

  • § 31485.20 Retirement Distribution Restrictions
  • § 31485.21 Retirement Age And Separation
  • § 31511.3 Service Continuity Protection
  • § 31581 County Retirement Contribution Rates
  • § 31639.75 Safety Member Service Credit

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 31628.
View Official Source