Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association
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Monday through Friday, 
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
The office is closed between 12 Noon and 12:30 p.m. for lunch.

The CCCERA office is located at;
1355 Willow Way
Suite 221
Concord, CA 94520
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Retirement Tier Structure

Overview

Retirement Tier Structure

Currently, your retirement system has fourteen benefit tiers, mandated by amendments to CERL, and adopted by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

There are two broad categories of active membership: general and safety.

Safety members are employed in active law enforcement, active fire suppression, or certain other high risk classifications as defined in sections of CERL. All other eligible employees are considered general members.

  • New general members are typically assigned to PEPRA General Tiers 4 or 5, depending on which disability provision your employer has adopted. In either tier your post-retirement Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) may be limited to either 3% (or 4% for disability retirements) or 2% per year depending on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or employer resolution that covers you. 
  • New safety members are typically assigned to PEPRA Safety Tiers D or E. The only difference between Tiers D and E is that your post-retirement COLA is limited to either 2 or 3% per year. The tier you are assigned to depends on the MOU or employer resolution that covers you. 

If you had a previous membership with CCCERA or a reciprocal retirement system prior to 2013, you may be assigned to a legacy tier (General Tiers 1, 3, or Safety Tiers A or C).

Benefit Tiers

Tier Final Average
Salary		 Maximum
COLA		 Service Retirement Benefits Disability
Standard*
General Tier 1 12 months 3% 1.67% at 55 (1)
General Tier 1, Enhanced 12 months 3% 2% at 55 (1)
General Tier 2 36 months 4% 1.55% at 62 (2)
General Tier 3, Enhanced 12 months 3% (4% for disability) 2% at 55 (2)
PEPRA General Tier 4 (3% COLA) 36 months 3% 2.5% at 67 (1)
PEPRA General Tier 4 (2% COLA) 36 months 2% 2.5% at 67 (1)
PEPRA General Tier 5 (3%/4% COLA) 36 months 3% (4% for disability) 2.5% at 67 (2)
PEPRA General Tier 5 (2% COLA) 36 months 2% 2.5% at 67 (2)
Safety Tier A 12 months 3% 2% at 50 (1)
Safety Tier A, Enhanced 12 months 3% 3% at 50 (1)
Safety Tier C, Enhanced 36 months 2% 3% at 50 (1)
PEPRA Safety Tier D 36 months 3% 2.7% at 57 (1)
PEPRA Safety Tier Safety E 36 months 2% 2.7% at 57 (1)

*Disability Standards

  1. Permanently incapacitated for the performance of duty.
  2. Unable permanently to engage in any substantial gainful employment.
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Pension Overview Video

Pension Overview Video

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Benefit Handbooks
Learn about benefits for your specific tier

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Retirement Law Book 2024 Edition

Disclaimer

CCCERA makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to the materials found at this site. It is intended for general information purposes only. In addition, CCCERA cannot and does not represent that the information on this website is current. While CCCERA has made every reasonable effort to offer the most current information possible, inadvertent errors can occur.

CCCERA is governed by California law as well as the Internal Revenue Code and various rules and regulations, all of which are complex and subject to change. In the event of any conflict between these governing authorities and the information on this website, the governing authorities have precedence. Site users are strongly encouraged to consult with a CCCERA representative about specific issues and not rely on the general information contained in this website.

The information provided is not intended to serve as legal advice or as legal opinion. By using this site, the site user agrees to release and hold CCCERA, and its agents and representatives, harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action of any kind or nature whatsoever now and in the future arising out of or in connection with the use of this site or the information provided herein.