Technical Resources
Below are various resources to assist employers and direct authorization vendors (DAVs) with questions regarding CalPERS reporting, policies and procedures, and training opportunities. The sections include pertinent information such as technical toolkits, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) resources, Data Element Definitions, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment processing, and more.
Technical toolkits consist of documents and tools needed to develop XML files for reporting health, retirement enrollment, and payroll information to CalPERS. The contents are contained in a ZIP file, which can be extracted using PeaZip.
File Readiness Testing
Log in to myCalPERS to access the file readiness test environment. Select the appropriate login option based on your account status:
*If your production account was created on or after the first Friday of the current month, the file readiness test environment will not recognize your login and you will need to use the test environment access only link until the next monthly refresh.
Contact our Employer Technical Support team at Employer_Technical_Support@calpers.ca.gov with any issues or questions.
Employers
- Employer's Technical Toolkit (ZIP, 9.9 MB) – Includes a glossary, download instructions, toolkit contents and file descriptions, flowcharts, etc.
- Employer's Guide to the Technical Toolkit (PDF) – Overview and instructions for extracting the toolkit files.
- Payroll Review XML Files - Data Element Definition (PDF)
- Payroll Review CSV Files - Data Element Definition (PDF, 1.3 MB)
- Common CalPERS Review CSV Report Errors and Resolutions (PDF) – Find resolutions to common error messages and learn how to change your Excel document to CSV format.
- CalPERS Review Report Template (CSV) – Template to use when submitting a CSV file to CalPERS.
- SFTP Onboarding for Business Partners (PDF) – Learn the process and requirements to establish secure FTP as a file submission method.
- Encryption/Decryption & File Naming (PDF) – Learn the proper encryption, decryption, and file naming requirements for File Transport Services.
- Data Element Definitions
- View Plans & Rates to find the three-digit plan codes and premiums for each health plan.
- View the list of Health Plan Codes & Zip Codes for HMO and PPO plans available in each county by health plan.
- View myCalPERS Health Aid: Health Event Types and Reasons for Employers (PDF) for descriptions of the Health Event Type/Reason data elements.
- Comprehensive Health Event Information (PDF) – This spreadsheet contains myCalPERS health reason descriptions and more.
- Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Census Report Guide (PDF) – This guide provides the list of data elements and definitions populated in the report.
- Data Element Definitions
- Common Payroll Errors (PDF) – Find resolutions to common payroll error messages and learn how to export XML files to Excel.
- myCalPERS Payroll Adjustments (PDF, 2.1 MB) Student Guide – Learn how to report retroactive payroll records and make corrections.
- myCalPERS Payroll Reporting (PDF, 2.50 MB) Student Guide – Learn how to create an earned period report, add and maintain records, process a report, and reconcile missing payroll.
- Creating a Payroll Adjustment Report (PDF) – Learn how to create a manual adjustment report from a regular earned period report XML file.
- Data Element Definitions
- Out-of-Class Hours Worked Reporting (PDF) – Describes data elements required for reporting Out-of-Class records.
- Sample CSV File – An Out-of-Class file for reporting must be in .CSV (Comma Delimited) (*.csv) format. This sample file may be used as a reference when creating the file for upload.
- myCalPERS Out-of-Class Reporting (PDF, 1.08 MB) Student Guide – Learn how to certify reportable out-of-class hours and the steps to submit records for employees who meet the reporting requirements.
- myCalPERS: Out-of-Class Reporting Computer Based Training Module – For a step-by-step overview of the process, log in to myCalPERS and select the Education tab to search for and access this course.
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Circular Letter 200-018-19 (PDF) – Reporting Out-of-Class Hours Worked (New myCalPERS Functionality)
- Data Element Definitions
- myCalPERS Retirement Enrollment (PDF, 2.08 MB) Student Guide – Learn how to verify membership status, enroll employees into CalPERS membership, and reconcile and maintain appointment statuses.
- myCalPERS Retirement Appointment Reconciliation (PDF, 1.53 MB) Student Guide – Learn how to reconcile your agency's retirement appointments with missing payroll.
- Circular Letter 200-003-17 (PDF) – Access important information regarding Retirement Appointment Reconciliation; the myCalPERS functionality to improve the accuracy of your agency's employee appointment data.
Direct Authorization Vendors
Download the DAV Technical Toolkit (ZIP, 29 MB) and refer to the documents below for additional information.
- Find definitions of commonly used system terms in the Direct Authorization Glossary of Terms (PDF).
- For a brief description of the elements within the toolkit and to quickly locate the tool you need, review the DAV's Quick Reference Guide (PDF).
- For an overview of the toolkit and instructions about how to extract the elements within, read the DAV's Guide to the Technical Toolkit (PDF).
- Review how to prepare and test deduction request files and register retrieval in the readiness file testing environment in the myCalPERS File Readiness Testing Instructions for Direct Authorization Vendors (PDF, 1.25 MB).
- To learn about performing tasks within the system, refer to the myCalPERS Direct Authorization Vendor User Guide (PDF, 4.43 MB).
Follow the schedule below, based on your deduction processing method (file or online), to ensure your transactions are processed for the intended warrant issue date.
Warrant Issue Date | File Cutoff | Online Transaction Period |
---|---|---|
Jan. 1, 2025 | Dec. 09, 2024 | Nov. 11, 2024–Dec. 12, 2024 |
Warrant Issue Date | File Cutoff | Online Transaction Period |
---|---|---|
Feb. 1, 2025 | Jan. 13, 2025 | Dec. 16, 2024–Jan. 16, 2025 |
Mar. 1, 2025 | Feb. 10, 2025 | Jan. 20, 2025–Feb. 13, 2025 |
Apr. 1, 2025 | Mar. 10, 2025 | Feb. 27, 2025–Mar. 13, 2025 |
May 1, 2025 | Apr. 7, 2025 | Mar. 17, 2025–Apr. 10, 2025 |
Jun. 1, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | Apr. 14, 2025–May 15, 2025 |
Jul. 1, 2025 | Jun. 9, 2025 | May 19, 2025–Jun. 12, 2025 |
Aug. 1, 2025 | Jul. 14, 2025 | Jun. 16, 2025–Jul. 17, 2025 |
Sep. 1, 2025 | Aug. 11, 2025 | Jul. 21, 2025–Aug. 14, 2025 |
Oct. 1, 2025 | Sep. 8, 2025 | Aug. 18, 2025–Sep. 11, 2025 |
Nov. 1, 2025 | Oct. 13, 2025 | Sep. 15, 2025–Oct. 16, 2025 |
Dec. 1, 2025 | Nov. 10, 2025 | Oct. 20, 2025–Nov. 13, 2025 |
Jan. 1, 2026 | Dec. 8, 2025 | Nov. 17, 2025–Dec. 11, 2025 |
Making Payments
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
The CalPERS ACH ID number is 1946207465.
As of July 1, 2017, contracting employers are required to submit payroll contributions for retirement using EFT. Refer to Circular Letter 200-006-17 (PDF) dated February 1, 2017 for more information.
If you pay by EFT, you must establish a new EFT account in myCalPERS and notify your bank that this CalPERS ACH ID number is assigned to an approved payee. Without this pre-approval, your EFT payment will not be processed by your bank. In the event you submitted an EFT using the incorrect CalPERS ACH ID, resubmit the EFT with the CalPERS ACH ID listed above.
Checks
Mail checks payable to:
Health Billing
CalPERS
P.O. Box 4032
Sacramento, CA 95812-4032
Overnight Payments
CalPERS
Financial Reporting & Accounting Services Division
400 Q Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
myCalPERS Technical Requirements
Resources
- DAV Technical Toolkit (ZIP, 29 MB)
- Employer's Technical Toolkit (ZIP, 9.9 MB)
- Reference & Health Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- When are employers required to submit out-of-class appointments that meet the specific requirements outlined in Gov. Code 20480?
Employers shall track the hours worked by an employee serving in an out-of-class appointment and report that service to CalPERS no later than 30 days following the end of each fiscal year. CalPERS fiscal year starts on July 1 and ends June 30. This information is due to CalPERS by July 30 each year.
- Within myCalPERS, can we generate a detailed report of all our employees to verify participant information?
There are a number of Cognos reports available in my|CalPERS that provide data for your participants. For example, the Participant Appointment Details report displays employment and appointment information, member and employer rates, and the participant's pension formula. There are also reports that provide health summary and statement information. Visit my|CalPERS Employer Reports (Cognos) for additional samples.