A CalPERS Special Power of Attorney allows you to create a durable power
of attorney by appointing the person named in the document to make
retirement-related decisions for you as allowed by the California Probate Code.
This power is expressly limited to decisions relating to your financial and
health benefits under the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
Having a CalPERS Special Power of Attorney on file with CalPERS ensures
that your designated attorney-in-fact will be able to perform important duties
concerning your CalPERS business, such as address changes, federal or
State tax withholding elections, lost or stolen retirement checks, endorsing
checks, beneficiary designations, or retirement benefit elections should you
become unable to act on your own behalf.
You must complete a power of
attorney form while you are able to understand the powers you are granting. If
you become unable to handle your affairs before completing a power of attorney,
CalPERS may find it necessary to withhold your retirement allowance
until a court appoints a conservator to handle your affairs.
HANDLING YOUR RETIREMENT AFFAIRS
With a CalPERS Special
Power of Attorney form on file, your attorney-in-fact can take care of your
retirement affairs immediately. You may also continue to act on your own
behalf. Your attorney-in-fact is able to act in matters concerning your
retirement even if you are not incapacitated unless you specify that the power
of attorney will not take effect until you become incapacitated or until some
future date or event occurs.
Be sure that your power of attorney form is
easily accessible so that your attorney-in-fact has access to it should the need
arise to transact retirement business. Planning ahead can prevent anguish
for you and your family.
Visit
the CalPERS Power of Attorney page