Article 6. Members’ Contributions of California Government Code >> Division 4. >> Title 3. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 6.

The normal rates of contribution of members shall be based on age at the nearest birthday at the time of entrance into the retirement system. Nothwithstanding any provisions of this chapter to the contrary, separate rates of contribution, allowances, or benefits for male and female members shall not be maintained or established.

The normal rates of contribution of general and safety members subject to the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 shall be determined pursuant to Section 7522.30 subject to the following exceptions:
  (a) The board may, but is not required to, apply the provisions of subdivision (c) of Section 7522.30 that require the initial contribution rate to be rounded to the nearest quarter of 1 percent.
  (b) Subdivision (d) of Section 7522.30 shall not apply to the contribution rates of members of retirement systems established pursuant to this chapter.

The normal rates of contribution except for members covered by Article 6.8 shall be such as will provide an average annuity at age 60 equal to one one-hundred-twentieth of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8, according to the tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system.

In counties adopting Section 31676.11 the normal rates of contribution except for members covered by Article 6.8 shall be such as will provide an average annuity at age 55 equal to 1/120 of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8, according to the tables adopted by the board of supervisors for each year of service rendered after entering the system.

In counties adopting Section 31676.12, the normal rates of contribution, except for members covered by Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639) of this chapter, shall be such as will provide an average annuity at age 60 equal to one one-hundredth of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8 according to tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system.

In counties adopting Section 31676.11, 31676.13, or 31676.14, or adopting one of such sections and then subsequently adopting another of such sections, the normal rate of contribution, except for members covered by Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639) of this chapter shall be such as will provide an average annuity at age 55 equal to one two-hundred-fortieth of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8, according to the tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system. This section may be made applicable in such counties on the first day of the month after the board of supervisors of such county adopts, by majority vote, a resolution providing that this section shall become applicable in such county.

The normal rates of contribution except for members covered by Article 6.8 shall be such as will provide an average annuity at age 60 equal to one two-hundred-fortieth of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639) of this chapter, according to the tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system. This section may be made applicable in such counties on the first day of the month after the board of supervisors of such county adopts, by majority vote, a resolution providing that this section shall become applicable in such county.

In counties adopting Section 31676.12, the normal rates of contribution, except for members covered by Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639) of this chapter, shall be such as will provide an annual annuity at age 60 equal to one two-hundredth of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8, according to tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system. This section may be made applicable in such counties, on the first day of the month after the board of supervisors of such county adopts, by majority vote, a resolution providing that this section shall become applicable in such county.

In counties adopting Section 31676.15, the normal rates of contribution, except for members covered by Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639) of this chapter, shall be such as to provide an average annuity at age 55 equal to one one-hundredth of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8, according to the tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system.

The normal rates of contribution for members covered by Section 31751 shall be such as will provide an average annuity at age 55 equal to one-three hundredth of the member's final compensation, according to the tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system. Until revised pursuant to Sections 31453 and 31454, the normal rate of contribution of each member is that percentage of the member' s earnable compensation, shown in the following table according to the member's age at the time of entry into the retirement system:

Age of entry Percentage into system of contribution 16 ........................ 2.93 17 ........................ 2.93 18 ........................ 2.93 19 ........................ 2.93 20 ........................ 2.93 21 ........................ 2.93 22 ........................ 2.93 23 ........................ 2.94 24 ........................ 2.94 25 ........................ 2.95 26 ........................ 2.96 27 ........................ 2.97 28 ........................ 2.98 29 ........................ 3.00 30 ........................ 3.02 31 ........................ 3.04 32 ........................ 3.06 33 ........................ 3.08 34 ........................ 3.10 35 ........................ 3.12 36 ........................ 3.15 37 ........................ 3.17 38 ........................ 3.20 39 ........................ 3.22 40 ........................ 3.25 41 ........................ 3.28 42 ........................ 3.31 43 ........................ 3.34 44 ........................ 3.37 45 ........................ 3.40 46 ........................ 3.43 47 ........................ 3.46 48 ........................ 3.50 49 ........................ 3.54 50 ........................ 3.57 51 ........................ 3.61 52 ........................ 3.65 53 ........................ 3.69 54 and over ............... 3.72

In counties adopting Section 31676.17, 31676.18, or 31676.19, the normal rates of contribution, except for members covered by Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639), shall be rates that provide an average annuity at the age of 55 years equal to one one-hundredth of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8, according to the tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system.

In counties adopting Section 31676.14, the normal rates of contribution, except for members covered by Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639), shall be that which will provide an average annuity at age 55 equal to 1/120 of the final compensation of members not covered by Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639), according to the tables adopted by the board of supervisors, for each year of service rendered after entering the system. This section may be made applicable in counties on the first day of the month after the board of supervisors of the county adopts, by majority vote, a resolution adopting this section. This section shall apply only to a county of the 10th or 20th class, as provided by Sections 28020, 28031, and 28041.

Instead of the normal rates of contribution required by Section 31621, 31621.1, 31621.2, or 31621.8 the board may, upon actuarial advice, establish a single rate of contributions applicable to all persons becoming members after this section is made operative in that county by the board. However, this rate shall be such as to provide the average annuity described in Section 31621, 31621.1, 31621.2, or 31621.8.

Until revised pursuant to Sections 31453 and 31454, the rate of contribution of each member not covered by Article 6.8 is that percentage of his earnable compensation shown in the following tables according to age and sex at the time of entry into the retirement system:

Percentage Percentage Age of entry of con- of con- into system tribution, tribution, Male Female 16 ............... 6.55 7.02 17 ............... 6.59 7.07 18 ............... 6.63 7.13 19 ............... 6.67 7.19 20 ............... 6.71 7.25 21 ............... 6.75 7.31 22 ............... 6.80 7.38 23 ............... 6.85 7.45 24 ............... 6.90 7.52 25 ............... 6.96 7.61 26 ............... 7.01 7.69 27 ............... 7.07 7.78 28 ............... 7.14 7.87 29 ............... 7.20 7.96 30 ............... 7.27 8.06 31 ............... 7.34 8.16 32 ............... 7.42 8.26 33 ............... 7.49 8.37 34 ............... 7.58 8.48 35 ............... 7.66 8.58 36 ............... 7.75 8.69 37 ............... 7.84 8.80 38 ............... 7.93 8.92 39 ............... 8.02 9.03 40 ............... 8.12 9.15 41 ............... 8.22 9.27 42 ............... 8.33 9.38 43 ............... 8.43 9.51 44 ............... 8.54 9.63 45 ............... 8.64 9.75 46 ............... 8.75 9.88 47 ............... 8.86 10.00 48 ............... 8.97 10.13 49 ............... 9.08 10.26 50 ............... 9.20 10.39 51 ............... 9.31 10.52 52 ............... 9.42 10.65 53 ............... 9.54 10.79 54 ............... 9.65 10.93 55 ............... 9.76 11.07 56 ............... 9.88 11.21 57 ............... 10.00 11.35 58 ............... 10.12 11.49 59 ............... 10.25 11.64 60 ............... _____ _____

The normal rate of contribution established for age 59 is the rate for any member not covered by Article 6.8 who has attained a greater age before entrance into the retirement system, and that established for age 16 is the rate for any member not covered by Article 6.8 who enters the retirement system at a lesser age.

Except as provided in Section 31625.1, unless otherwise provided by the regulations of the board the contribution shall be deducted by the county auditor or other officer charged with the duty of drawing salary or wage warrants from the first salary or wage warrant drawn in each month in favor of each member and shall be paid to the county treasurer and placed to the credit of each individual member's account.

In those counties in which salary or wage warrants are drawn semimonthly, not to exceed one-half the contribution shall be deducted by the county auditor or other officer charged with the duty of drawing salary or wage warrants from the first salary or wage warrant drawn in each month in favor of each member, and not to exceed one-half of such deduction shall be deducted from the second salary or wage warrant drawn in each month in favor of each member. Such deductions shall be paid to the county treasurer and placed to the credit of each individual member's account.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, contributions shall not be deducted from the salary of any member having credit for 30 years' service providing the member was a member on March 7, 1973, and remained in membership continuously until credited with 30 years' service.
  (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), contributions shall not be deducted from the salary of any member having credit for 30 years' of continuous service in the retirement association of a county of the seventh class as established by Sections 28020 and 28028. This subdivision shall not apply to a member who is subject to the provisions of the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, contributions shall not be deducted from the salary of any member who was a member before or after March 7, 1973, of the retirement association, another county retirement system established under this chapter, or the Public Employees' Retirement System, and has total reciprocal service credit of not less than 30 years in the retirement association, or in the retirement association and another county retirement system established under this chapter, or the Public Employees' Retirement System, or a combination thereof.
  (b) This section shall not apply in any county unless and until it is adopted by a majority vote of the board of supervisors.
  (c) This section shall not apply to members who are subject to Section 7522.30.

Payment of salaries and wages less the contribution is full and complete discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands whatsoever for service rendered by members during the period covered by such payment, except the benefits afforded by this chapter.

Subject to the regulations prescribed by the board, any member may elect to make additional contributions at rates in excess of his or her normal contributions, for the purpose of providing additional benefits. The exercise of this privilege by a member does not require the county or district to make any additional contributions. Upon application, the board shall furnish to the member information concerning the nature and amount of additional benefits to be obtained by the additional contributions.

A member who has additional contributions under Section 31627 of the Government Code, or under Section 31504 of the Government Code, may, within 30 days prior to retirement, elect in writing to have all or any part of his accumulated additional contributions returned to him. The portion returned shall not be included in the calculation of the member's annuity.

In any county in which the provisions of Section 31676.1 apply, any member who has additional contributions under Section 31504 of the Government Code, or under Section 31627 of the Government Code, may elect in writing to have all or any part of his accumulated additional contributions returned to him. The portion returned shall not be included in the calculation of the member's annuity. The board may order payment in whole or in part withheld for a period not to exceed 90 days after receipt of such written election.

Whenever any member elects to receive credit for any time during which he was employed by a district and was not a member, under any provision of this chapter, such district shall make an additional appropriation equal to the amount which it would have appropriated had such member been a member during the time for which he has elected to obtain credit.

If the service of a member is discontinued other than by death or retirement, upon proper application submitted to the retirement board, he or she shall be paid all of his or her 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 his or her last known address, a registered or certified letter, return receipt requested, stating that he or she has money to his or her credit on the books of the retirement system and that if he or she does 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.

If a former member does not file proper application for the return of his accumulated contributions within five years after date of such notice to him, such accumulated contributions shall be deposited in and become a part of the current pension reserve fund, and thereafter the fund shall not be liable to such member for any portion of his accumulated contributions. However, notwithstanding the fact that such an application has not been filed, the board of retirement may, in its sound discretion authorize the return of any deposit account 90 days after the 90-day notice referred to in Section 31628, provided that the former employee had less than five years' service credit with the county. No return of any deposit account may be made by mail pursuant to this section unless the letter provided for in Section 31628 was receipted for by the former member and the signed receipt is in the possession of the board of retirement or the county treasurer. The amendment of this section enacted during the 1975-76 Regular Session shall be effective with respect to persons first becoming members of a retirement system on and after January 1, 1976.

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 31628 and 31629, on and after January 1, 2003, a member who is credited with less than the number of years of service required for vesting shall have the right to elect to leave accumulated contributions on deposit in the retirement fund. Failure to make an election to withdraw accumulated contributions shall be deemed an election to leave accumulated contributions on deposit in the retirement fund.
  (b) An election to allow accumulated contributions to remain in the retirement fund may be revoked by the member at any time except: (1) while the member is employed in county service in a position in which the member is not excluded from membership in this system with respect to that service; (2) while the member is in service as a member of a public retirement system supported, in whole or in part, by state funds; or (3) while the member is in service, entered within six months after discontinuing county service, as a member of a reciprocal retirement system. All accumulated contributions contributed up to the time of revocation may then be withdrawn.
  (c) A member whose membership continues under this section is subject to the same age, service, and disability requirements that apply to other members for service or disability retirement. After the qualification of the member for retirement by reason of age, which shall be the lowest age applicable to any membership category in which the member has credited service, or disability, the member shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance based upon the amount of the member's accumulated contributions and service standing to the member's credit at the time of retirement and on the employer contributions held for the member and calculated in the same manner as for other members.
  (d) Service, solely for purposes of meeting minimum service qualifications for service or disability retirement, shall also include service credited as an employee of a reciprocal system when the member retires concurrently from all reciprocal retirement systems. A member whose combined service from all reciprocal retirement systems does not meet the minimum service qualifications may not receive a service or disability retirement from this system.
  (e) Notwithstanding Section 31467, for purposes of this section, "accumulated contributions" means the sum of all member contributions standing to the credit of a member's individual account, and interest thereon.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this chapter, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and in any county which has adopted Section 31676.1, 31676.11, 31676.12, 31676.13, 31676.14, 31676.15, or 31751, the board of supervisors or district board, as the case may be, may agree to pay any portion of the members' normal contributions to the system. All the contributions paid by the county or district, as the case may be, shall remain its contributions, and no right therein shall accrue to any employee prior to the employee's election to take a regular, deferred, or disability retirement.
  (b) Any contributions paid by the board of supervisors or the district board on behalf of the members shall be as determined by upon actuarial advice, and approved by the board of retirement.
  (c) This section shall not apply to members who are subject to Section 7522.30.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a board of supervisors or the governing body of a district may, by resolution, ordinance, contract, or contract amendment under this chapter, without a change in benefits, require that members pay all or part of the contributions of a member or employer, or both, for any retirement benefits provided under this chapter. All of those payments are hereby designated as employee contributions. For members who are represented in a bargaining unit, the payment requirement shall be approved in a memorandum of understanding executed by the board of supervisors or the governing body of a district and the employee collective bargaining representative. The contributions shall be uniform either (1) with respect to all members of a recognized bargaining unit or (2) all members within each of the following categories: nonsafety subject to Section 7522.20 or safety subject to Section 7522.25.
  (b) Nothing in this section shall modify a board of supervisors' or the governing body of a district's authority under law as it existed on December 31, 2012, including any restrictions on that authority, to change the amount of member contributions.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a board of supervisors or the governing body of a district may require that members pay 50 percent of the normal cost of benefits. However, that contribution shall be no more than 14 percent above the applicable normal rate of contribution of members established pursuant to this article for local general members, no more than 33 percent above the applicable normal rate of contribution of members established pursuant to Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 21639) for local police officers, local firefighters, county peace officers, and no more than 37 percent above the applicable normal rate of contribution of members established pursuant to Article 6.8 (commencing with Section 31639) for all local safety members other than police officers, firefighters, and county peace officers.
  (2) Before implementing any change pursuant to this subdivision for any represented employees, the public employer shall complete the good faith bargaining process as required by law, including any impasse procedures requiring mediation and factfinding. This subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2018. This subdivision shall not apply to any bargaining unit when the members of that unit are paying at least 50 percent of the normal cost of their pension benefit or are subject to an agreement reached pursuant to paragraph (1). Applicable normal rate of contribution of members means the statutorily authorized rate applicable to the member group as the statutes read on December 31, 2012.
  (b) Nothing in this section shall modify a board of supervisors' or the governing body of a district's authority under law as it existed on December 31, 2012, including any restrictions on that authority, to change the amount of member contributions.