If you are planning to officially retire, there are two important initial steps:

• Contact your retirement system: It is highly recommended that you contact CalPERS or CalSTRS directly to confirm timelines, verify your service credit, and review your retirement allowance details.
• Submit an HR Ticket: When you are ready to formally initiate your retirement, please submit an HR ticket so our team can coordinate your benefits, verify your retiree health eligibility, and process your separation.

The main difference concerns eligibility for District retiree health benefits. If you retire from SMCCCD and through CalPERS or CalSTRS, you may continue to receive District retiree medical benefits, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. If you resign and do not retire through CalPERS or CalSTRS, you are not eligible for the District’s retiree medical contribution.

To be eligible for the District’s retiree medical contribution, you must be at least 55 years old and meet the "Magic 75" criteria — meaning your age plus your years of benefited District service must equal at least 75.

You must also meet the minimum years of service requirement as outlined in your respective Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Please review your specific CBA for detailed eligibility requirements:

• AFSCME Contract
• CSEA Contract
• AFT Contract

According to the Retiree Fringe Benefits Handbook, if you meet the eligibility criteria above, you must also follow these rules:

• The 120-Day Rule: You must officially retire from your retirement system within 120 days of separating from District employment.
• Active Retirement: You must begin receiving a retirement allowance from CalPERS or CalSTRS.
• Prior Eligibility: You must have been benefits-eligible at the time of separation.
• Coverage Continuation: If your official retirement occurs within 30 days of separation, coverage usually continues automatically. If it occurs between 31 and 120 days, you must request continuation of coverage.

• If you retire: Unused sick leave is reported to CalPERS/CalSTRS and may be converted into additional service credit (the retirement system determines the final amount).
• If you resign: Unused sick leave stays on record and can be transferred to another California community college district, county office of education, or K-12 district if you return to public education in the future.

All banked units are cashed out and paid before you leave the District, regardless of whether you resign or retire.

Yes. If you resign without retiring from CalSTRS, there is no mandatory waiting period. You may be eligible to return immediately as an hourly employee, following the standard hiring procedures. Please contact HR to confirm your eligibility.

Yes, but state law generally requires a 180-day break in service before returning to work for a CalPERS or CalSTRS employer (with very limited exceptions). After the 180-day waiting period:

• CalSTRS retirees: Subject to annual earnings limits. For 2025–26, the limit is $80,500; for 2026–27, it will be $59,595. (Refer to the current CalSTRS Member Handbook for updated limits and exemptions.)
• CalPERS retirees: Returning annuitants must possess specialized skills required to prevent a stoppage of business.