Layout:
Home > Vested in Pension

Vested in Pension

June 1st, 2022 at 08:06 pm

An exciting milestone was reached during the month of May.  I am now vested in the CalPers pension system.  If I stop working right now, at age 62 I am eligible to draw $298.62 per month for the rest of my life.  (Because of the Windfall Elimination Provision, receiving the pension will cost me $149.31 of SS benefits monthly once SS payments begin.)  If I continue working, the pension amount will increase.  If I am successful in moving up to a higher paid position, that will also increase my pension amount.  It is obviously not much, still I am very pleased to be vested.  

I did get a passing score on the test mentioned in my last entry, and in fact received the highest score in the testing group.  Therefore, I have been receiving invites to apply for openings in various departments.  However, I have chosen to pass on scheduling those interviews.  I have other things on my plate right now and really don't want to take the time to prepare for, dress for, and drive to interviews for jobs I don't want in the first place. I am waiting to be invited to interview for the opening which started this whole process.

I have been off work for a full 6 weeks now, and am still waiting for my first disability check.  (In California, we have a state run short-term disability program, which is funded via a direct payroll tax.) There is a website of course, and I can find my account, my claim number, etc.  I have received 2 notices, one about my weekly benefit amount ($627) and one informing me that if I also qualify for a program called Paid Family Leave (I don't), then I need to apply for it separately.  However, I have not received a notice that my claim has been approved (or disapproved, whatever).  According to Google, neither of the 2 notices I have received mean that my claim is approved.  Under my claim history, they have posted the first week's payment for the period 4/20-4/26/22.  The first week is always unpaid and it does show the benefit amount as $0.  But it stops right there, with no information whatsoever about any other time period. I have tried calling, but I get through all of the pre-recorded info, enter my personal info, then am told I will be transferred, then the line just goes dead.   This happens at the same exact point each time that I have called.  I assume that there are so many callers, they will not even put me in a queue, but of course that is only an assumption.  So, I'm really not sure of my status or when to expect some actual money.  

Next Tuesday I will begin radiation treatments.  I am scheduled for 16 treatments, 1 per day M-F.  It is quite a drive to the radiology center and with the cheapest gas available currently costing $5.79 per gallon,  I am not looking forward to shelling out for the gas.   I really can't complain though, so far my cancer treatment has cost me right at 1k in co-pays.  We aren't done yet, of course.

9 Responses to “Vested in Pension”

  1. Wink Says:
    1654120466

    Congrats on being vested, and on your test score! Every dollar helps in retirement. I'm sending you positive thoughts and energy that your treatments go smoothly.

  2. My English Castle Says:
    1654192127

    Hooray for bveting! Wishing you the best on your treatments and recovery

  3. LuckyRobin Says:
    1654199245

    Good luck with the radiation treatments. I know they can be harsh, but I'll be praying that they are the easiest they possibly can be for you. Sometimes there are assistance programs that can help with gas or hotel fees if you have to stay overnight. I'm not sure what California might have, but my FIL ended up with most of that covered. His was the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, so maybe you can find something similar where you are.

  4. LivingAlmostLarge Says:
    1654201428

    Congrats on being vested. And best wishes and good luck on your treatment.

  5. terri77 Says:
    1654435547

    That is a very exciting milestone! How long do your have to work to be vested in your system?

    Best wishes on the radiology treatment!

  6. MonkeyMama Says:
    1654702736

    Ugh. Unemployment was so terrible throughout the pandemic. I think we exhausted benefits, but we were to the point we wouldn't have renewed if we could. Not worth the hassle. Sorry that you are experiencing that on the SDI side.

    I think I missed your earlier post. Sorry to hear about your health issues. Hoping the radiation treatments go well.

  7. Dido Says:
    1654966704

    Best of luck with the treatments, and congrats on being vested!

  8. rob62521 Says:
    1655058599

    Hope your treatments go well.

    Congrats on being vested and the great score on your test.

    Let's hope that gas prices soon come down so besides a long, tiring drive, it isn't quite as expensive.

  9. PatientSaver Says:
    1655417707

    Congrats on your vestment; that is a milestone, even if you choose not to pursue other roles right now. I guess I've been away from here too long, and was very sad to hear you have cancer. My very best wishes for your upcoming treatment.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]