How to designate beneficiaries at CalSTRS
Covers 6 state-pension accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
CalSTRS Contact Center
CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
CalSTRS Contact Center
CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
CalSTRS Survivor Benefits
CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
Preparing your CalSTRS benefits for your family means choosing the right retirement payment option and keeping your survivor and death-benefit beneficiaries current. The option you elect at retirement, and the beneficiary on file, control what CalSTRS pays at death—these choices override your will.
CalSTRS offers 6 pension benefits, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
Sources
Data sourced from CalSTRS primary sources (11 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these CalSTRS instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against CalSTRS primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
CalSTRS Contact Center
CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
CalSTRS Contact Center
CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
CalSTRS Survivor Benefits
CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your CalSTRS accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
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