How to designate beneficiaries at CalSTRS

Covers 6 state-pension accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online

CalSTRS

State Pension System · Select States

calstrs.com
CalSTRS logo

CalSTRS Contact Center

Toll-Free800-228-5453
Fax916-414-5040
Mailing Address

CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275

CalSTRS Contact Center

Toll-Free800-228-5453
Fax916-414-5040
Mailing Address

CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275

CalSTRS Survivor Benefits

Toll-Free800-228-5453
Fax916-414-5040
Mailing Address

CalSTRS, P.O. Box 15275, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275

Verified Jul 2026

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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from CalSTRS primary sources (11 pages reviewed). How we research.

Download these CalSTRS instructions

Download instructions for the whole estate

A 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.

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