Retirement Programs

Humboldt employees who are members of the CalPERS system are in the "State Miscellaneous, First Tier" plan, or one of the Public Safety plans, depending on classification.  For a general overview of CalPERS membership and benefits, please review the following guide:  Welcome to CalPERS: A Benefits Guide for State Members (PUB 4)

Employees excluded from CalPERS membership are covered by the Part-Time Retirement Program (see below).

We encourage employees enrolled in CalPERS to create an account with my|CalPERS. This will allow employees to view service credit, account balance, view annual statements and keep track of other important account information.

• *How To Register for my|CalPERS
  Guide to register and access my|CalPERS
• *my|CalPERS
  Your secure self-service website to access real-time account details.
• California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

• CalPERS Service Credit Information

  CalPERS offers a variety of service credit purchase options to eligible members. Review this information carefully to see if you might qualify to purchase additional service credit.

• CalPERS Special Power of Attorney

  A CalPERS special power of attorney allows you to designate a representative or agent, known as your attorney-in-fact, to conduct your retirement affairs.

• How Service Credit is Earned

  An example of service credit earned over a full fiscal year

• Retirement Planning Checklist

  The timeline below starts one (1) year before retirement, but this timeframe can be reduced or extended based on your needs.

• Social Security Administration

• CalPERS Service Credit Purchase

  Review these instructions for more information on how to submit for a service credit purchase.

• CSU Retiree Website

  Information for CSU retirees regarding benefits, helpful links, and FAQ's regarding retirement

• Leaving CalPERS Membership

  Find out more about your CalPERS membership options when separating from Humboldt employment

Part-Time Retirement Program

Part-Time, Seasonal, Temporary (PST) RETIREMENT PLAN is a mandatory retirement plan for non-CalPERS eligible employees. The plan is Administered by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), under the Savings Plus Program (457). The employee's contribution is 7.5% of the gross monthly salary. Employees may request a detailed brochure from Human Resources.

• Savings Plus Benefits Payment Booklet
  This booklet contains information and a payment application to help you select the payment method that best meets your needs.

Voluntary Retirement Programs

California State University 403(b) 

403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan

Supplemental Retirement Plan

The California State University 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) is a voluntary program that allows eligible CSU employees to save toward retirement by contributing to tax-deferred investments. SRP contributions are made solely by the employee through payroll deductions, prior to federal and state taxes being calculated. In order for eligible employees to take advantage of the tax savings via payroll deduction, a 403(b) account must be established with Fidelity, the SRP record-keeper.

All employees are eligible to participate in the 403(b) program, including rehired annuitants (regardless of age).

Program Details

• Eligible employee​s may have their contributions automatically deducted from their paycheck.
• You can contribute a portion of your compensation as pre-tax elective deferrals or after-tax Roth contributions.
• See table below for contribution limits.
• Complementary Fidelity Retirement Planner Consultations, a Brokerage Link, and a Portfolio Advisory Services are some of the Program features. 

CSU employees can now enroll in the 403(b) plan the following ways:

1. Online at netbenefits.com/calstate
2. Over the phone 800-642-7131 (mention plan #50537)
3. CSU 403(b) SRP Enrollment Form (fax the form to the number on the bottom of the enrollment form or return to HR once complete – this form is for new enrollments only)

Contribution ​Elections Change -  On-line at Fidelity NetBenefits or call 800-343-0860. Changes must be complete before 9PM on the 5th of each month to be reflected on the next pay cycle. 

Savings Plus Program: 401(k), 457(b)

Savings Plus  is a voluntary program offered by The State of California through CalHR (not CSU) and administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. This program allows eligible state and CSU employees to save toward retirement by investing pre-tax contributions in tax-deferred investments, via two deferred compensation plans: a 401(k) and a 457. These contributions are made through payroll deductions, prior to federal and state taxes being calculated. There is also a Roth (after-tax) 401(k) plan available.

With the exception of the following, all employees (including rehired annuitants and FERP participants) are eligible to participate in the Savings Plus program:

• Part-time, seasonal or temporary employees who are contributing mandatorily to the PST (Part-time, Seasonal, Temporary) Retirement Plan.

In order for eligible employees to take advantage of the tax savings via payroll deduction, an account must be established with Savings Plus.

For additional information regarding this program, including maximum contribution amounts, catch-up allowances, and administration of the Savings Plus program, please contact their office at (855) 616-4776, or refer to the Savings Plus website.

Fidelity 403(b), Savings Plus 457 & 401(k) Contribution Limits

Elective Deferral Limits The IRC establishes specific limits that govern the amounts an individual can contribute to salary reduction retirement plans, such as 403(b), 401(k) and 457(b) plans. A summary of the IRC limits for all three plans is listed in the chart below: 

Dual Participation

Employees may make maximum contributions to a 403(b) plan and a 457 plan. For example, for tax year 2026, a participant could elect to contribute up to $24,500 to a 403(b) plan AND up to $24,500 to a 457 plan, for a total contribution of up to $49,000. However, contributions to a 403(b) plan are offset by any contributions to a 401(k) plan in the same tax year. Employees contributing to both a 403(b) and a 401(k) plan are restricted by IRS regulations to a combined total of $24,500.

Each employee is responsible for their own calculations and to make sure the IRS limits are not exceeded.

Catch-Up Allowance(s)

There are two catch-up provisions that allow participants to contribute more than the standard annual limits if they are approaching retirement and meet the eligibility requirements. A summary of the different catch-up limits is listed in the chart below :

For tax year 2026 you may:

• Contribute more if you are:
  • Ages 50-59 or age 64+ can contribute an additional $8,000
  • Ages 60-63 can contribute an additional $11,250
• Contribute more if you have 15 or more years of service with CSU. You may be eligible to contribute an additional $3,000 per year, for up to five years, for a “catch-up” lifetime limit of $15,000. To participate, employees must complete the 2025 Special Catchup Contribution Worksheet and submit to the campus benefits officer.