CHAPTER 3. Retirement Board [22200. - 22228.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 3.
in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22200. Section 22200.

(a) The plan and the system are administered by the Teachers’ Retirement Board. On and after January 1, 2004, the members of the board are as follows: (1) The Superintendent of Public Instruction. (2) The Controller. (3) The Treasurer. (4) The Director of Finance. (5) Three persons who are either members of the Defined Benefit Program or participants in the Cash Balance Benefit Program, as follows: (A) One person who, at the time of election, is an active member of the Defined Benefit Program or an active participant of the Cash Balance Benefit Program employed by a school district that provides instruction for prekindergarten, kindergarten, or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or a county office of education, in a position other than a school administrator that requires a services credential with a specialization in administrative services. This member shall be elected by the active members of the Defined Benefit Program and active participants of the Cash Balance Benefit Program who are employed by a school district that provides instruction for prekindergarten, kindergarten, or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or county office of education, pursuant to regulations adopted by the board, for a four-year term commencing on January 1, 2004. (B) One person who, at the time of election, is an active member of the Defined Benefit Program or an active participant of the Cash Balance Benefit Program employed by a school district that provides instruction for prekindergarten, kindergarten, or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or a county office of education. This member shall be elected by the active members of the Defined Benefit Program and active participants of the Cash Balance Benefit Program who are employed by a school district that provides instruction for prekindergarten, kindergarten, or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or a county office of education, pursuant to regulations adopted by the board, for a four-year term commencing on January 1, 2004. (C) One person who, at the time of election, is a community college instructor and an active member of the Defined Benefit Program or an active participant of the Cash Balance Benefit Program employed by a community college district, who shall be elected by the active community college members of the Defined Benefit Program and the active community college participants of the Cash Balance Benefit Program, pursuant to regulations adopted by the board, for a four-year term commencing on January 1, 2004. (6) Five persons appointed by the Governor for a term of four years, subject to confirmation by the Senate, as follows: (A) One person who, at the time of appointment, is a member of the governing board of a school district or a community college district. (B) One person who is either a retired member under this part or a retired participant under Part 14 (commencing with Section 26000). (C) Three persons representing the public, whose terms shall be staggered by varying the first terms of these members, as follows: (i) One person to a term expiring December 31, 2005. (ii) One person to a term expiring December 31, 2006. (iii) One person to a term expiring December 31, 2007. (b) A person who is employed to perform creditable service by a community college district and either a school district that provides instruction for prekindergarten, kindergarten, or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or a county office of education, may only be elected to the position on the board that corresponds to the position in which he or she accrued the most service credit during the prior school year. (c) The members of the board shall annually elect a chairperson and vice chairperson.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22200.5. Section 22200.5.

(a) The board shall conduct the elections of members described in Section 22200 pursuant to regulations adopted by the board. (b) The board shall hold special elections to fill vacancies that occur during the term of the elected members of the board. If, at the time a vacancy occurs, the unexpired term is less than two years, the new member elected to fill the vacancy shall hold office for a period equal to the remainder of the term of the vacated office plus four years. (c) The regulations adopted by the board pursuant to this section and Section 22200 shall not be subject to Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (d) The regulations adopted by the board shall provide that the elections be conducted in the most cost-effective manner deemed feasible. The board, where practicable, shall consolidate election mailings with other mailings and shall address any other feasible cost-saving measures.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22201. Section 22201.

(a) The board shall set policy and shall have the sole power and authority to hear and determine all facts pertaining to application for benefits under the plan or any matters pertaining to administration of the plan and the system. (b) The board shall meet at least once every calendar quarter at such times as it may determine. The meetings shall be presided over by the chairperson. In the event of the chairperson’s absence from a meeting the vice chairperson shall act as presiding officer and perform all other duties of the chairperson.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22201.2. Section 22201.2.

A quorum of the board shall consist of the majority of the board members. In determining whether or not a quorum is present, vacant positions on the board shall not be considered. The concurrence of the majority of the board members present shall be necessary to the validity of any action taken by the board.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22201.3. Section 22201.3.

The chief executive officer of the system shall act as secretary of the board and shall have charge of all board correspondence and shall keep a record of board proceedings.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22202. Section 22202.

The board has exclusive control of the administration of the funds. No transfers or disbursements of any amount from the funds shall be made except upon the authorization of the board for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this part and Part 14 (commencing with Section 26000).

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22203. Section 22203.

The board has exclusive control of the investment of the Teachers’ Retirement Fund. Except as otherwise restricted by the California Constitution and by law, the board may in its discretion invest the assets of the fund through the purchase, holding, or sale thereof of any investment, financial instrument, or financial transaction when the investment, financial instrument, or financial transaction is prudent in the informed opinion of the board.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22203.5. Section 22203.5.

(a) All investment transaction decisions made during a closed session, pursuant to paragraph (16) of subdivision (c) of Section 11126 of the Government Code, shall be by rollcall vote entered into the minutes of that meeting. (b) The board, within 12 months of the close of an investment transaction or the transfer of system assets for an investment transaction, whichever occurs first, shall disclose and report the investment at a public meeting.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22204. Section 22204.

Each member of the board may administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses and others transacting the business of the system.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22205. Section 22205.

The board has the authority to negotiate, and enter into agreements with other states of the United States on the subject of the transfer of members’ contributions and regular interest between the retirement systems of California and other states.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22206. Section 22206.

(a) As often as the board determines necessary, it may audit or cause to be audited the records of any public agency. (b) The board may excuse any audit finding provided all of the following conditions are met: (1) The audit finding relates to a period of time prior to July 1, 2002. (2) The audit finding identifies an issue that is not in compliance with the provisions of this part with respect to creditable service or creditable compensation. (3) The noncompliance would not have existed if the service and compensation crediting changes that shall become operative on July 1, 2002, as a result of legislation enacted during the second year of the 1999–2000 Regular Session, had been operative during the period of time investigated in the audit. (4) The audit finding was included in an audit report issued on or after January 1, 2001. (5) Excusing the audit finding will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the retirement fund. (c) The board’s authority pursuant to subdivision (b) shall extend to service and compensation issues identified through activities outside the audit function that address compliance with the provisions of this part.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22206.1. Section 22206.1.

(a) Before auditing, or causing to be audited, the records of a public agency pursuant to Section 22206, the board shall provide written notice of the intended audit to the affected public agency as well as to the exclusive representative or representatives, if any, of members that may be affected by the audit, and this notice shall apprise the public agency and the exclusive representative or representatives, if any, of the purpose and scope of the intended audit. For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section and Section 22206.2, the public agency shall be responsible for providing the board with the name and contact information for all applicable exclusive representatives. (b) An audited public agency shall cooperate in good faith with the board and provide all information requested by the board in a timely manner. The public agency, at the time it provides information to the board, shall also provide all the information to the exclusive representative or representatives, if any, of the members affected by the audit. (c) An audited public agency and the exclusive representative or representatives, if any, of the members affected by the audit may provide the board with additional information relevant to the audit, and the board shall consider this information in preparing its audit findings. (d) Prior to issuing its final audit report, the board shall provide to the audited public agency and to the exclusive representative or representatives, if any, of the members affected by the audit, the preliminary audit findings, the statutes being addressed by the audit, and a list of every member then known by the board to be affected by the audit. Within a period to be specified by the board, which shall not be less than 60 days, the recipients may provide the board their written responses to the preliminary audit findings and the board shall consider their responses in preparing its final audit report. (e) Within a period specified by the board of not less than 60 days, the public agency shall provide the board and the exclusive representative a list of the names of any members affected by the audit not included in the list provided by the board pursuant to subdivision (d). (f) Except as provided in this section, this section does not confer additional rights upon the exclusive representative, including, but not limited to, due process rights.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22206.2. Section 22206.2.

(a) The board shall provide the final audit report to the public agency audited pursuant to Section 22206 and to the exclusive representative or representatives, if any, of the members affected by the audit, and shall provide the audited public agency with an explanation of its appeal rights pursuant to Section 22206.3. (b) Following the notification by the public agency of the members affected by the audit pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 22206.1, the board shall provide the final audit report, with an explanation of appeal rights pursuant to Section 22206.4, to each member affected by the audit. (c) If a member is later known to have been affected by an audit, the board shall provide a copy of the final audit report and an explanation of appeal rights pursuant to Section 22206.4 to that member or former member, or their beneficiaries if the member or former member is deceased. (d) Except as provided in this section, this section does not confer additional rights upon the exclusive representative, including, but not limited to, due process rights.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22206.3. Section 22206.3.

(a) If the public agency audited pursuant to Section 22206 disagrees with the final audit report, it may request an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 22219. The request shall be made in writing and be mailed or emailed to the address identified in the final audit report within 90 days of the board’s transmission of the final audit report to the public agency as provided in Section 22206.2. (b) If the audited public agency fails to request an administrative hearing within the time provided in subdivision (a), the right to an administrative hearing shall be deemed waived, and the findings of the final audit report shall be deemed the board’s final determination as to that public agency.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22206.4. Section 22206.4.

(a) If a member affected by an audit disagrees with the final audit report, the member may request an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 22219. The request shall be made in writing and be mailed or emailed to the designated address identified in the final audit report within 90 days of the board’s transmission of the final audit report to the member, as provided in Section 22206.2. (b) If a member affected by the audit fails to request an administrative hearing within the time provided in subdivision (a), the member’s right to an administrative hearing shall be deemed waived, and the findings of the final audit report shall be deemed the board’s final determination as to that member.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22206.5. Section 22206.5.

The system shall make all final employer audit reports available on its internet website. Personal information regarding members shall be excluded to the extent necessary to protect their privacy.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22207. Section 22207.

The board shall perform any other acts necessary for the administration of the system and the plan in carrying into effect the provisions of this part and Part 14 (commencing with Section 26000), which may include, but shall not be limited to, requesting the following information from a member, participant, or beneficiary: (a) Financial statements, certified copies of state and federal income tax records, or evidence of financial status. (b) Employment, legal, or medical documentation.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22208. Section 22208.

The board may appoint a committee of two or more of its members to perform any act within the power of the board itself to perform. The board may also delegate authority to the chief executive officer to perform any such act. Except where the board, in delegating that authority, provides that the committee or the chief executive officer may act finally, all acts of the committee or the chief executive officer shall be reported to the board at its next regular meeting and shall be subject to review, ratification, or reversal by the board.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22209. Section 22209.

The office of chief executive officer shall be filled by appointment by the board and the appointee shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22210. Section 22210.

(a) Reversal by the board of any act of the committee or the chief executive officer shall be effective on the date fixed by the board. (b) Payment of benefits prior to the board’s action of reversal may not be affected by such an action, except for the recovery of the amounts paid, from the beneficiary receiving the amounts, as the board may direct.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22212.5. Section 22212.5.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d), this section shall apply to the following positions in the system: a chief executive officer, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a system actuary, a general counsel, a chief investment officer, and other investment officers and portfolio managers whose positions are designated managerial pursuant to Section 18801.1 of the Government Code. (b) Notwithstanding Sections 19825, 19826, 19829, and 19832 of the Government Code, the board shall fix the compensation for the positions specified in subdivision (a). In so doing, the board shall be guided by the principles contained in Sections 19826 and 19829 of the Government Code, consistent with its fiduciary responsibility to its members to recruit and retain highly qualified and effective employees for these positions. The annual percentage increase in salary that may be paid pursuant to this section to a person who served as chief financial officer or as chief operating officer on January 1, 2016, and who does not separate from service in that position prior to the date on which the increase is applied, shall not exceed either of the following: (1) Ten percent for the 2017–18 fiscal year. (2) Five percent for any fiscal year subsequent to 2017–18. (c) When a position specified in subdivision (a) is filled through a general civil service appointment, it shall be filled from an eligible list based on an examination that was held on an open basis, and tenure in those positions shall be subject to the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 19590) of Chapter 7 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code. In addition to the causes for action specified in that article, the board may take action under the article for causes related to its fiduciary responsibility to its members, including the employee’s failure to meet specified performance objectives. (d) An individual who held a position designated in subdivision (a), was a member of the board, or was in a career executive assignment position that reported directly to either the chief executive officer or the chief operating officer, shall not, for a period of two years after leaving that position, for compensation, act as agent or attorney for, or otherwise represent, any other person, except the state, by making any formal or informal appearance before or by making any oral or written communication to the board, or any officer or employee thereof, if the appearance or communication is made for the purpose of influencing administrative or legislative action or any action or proceeding involving the issuance, amendment, awarding, or revocation of a permit, license, grant, contract, or sale or purchase of goods or property.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22213. Section 22213.

The board shall regulate the duties of employers, employing agencies, and other public authorities, imposed upon them by this part, and shall require reports from employers, employing agencies, and other public authorities, as it deems advisable in connection with the performance of its duties.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22214. Section 22214.

The board may take any action it deems necessary to ensure the continued right of members or beneficiaries to receive monthly payments.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22215. Section 22215.

The board shall determine the service performed by members to be credited toward qualification for retirement, and shall fix and modify allowances provided under this part.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22216. Section 22216.

(a) The board shall annually adopt as a plan amendment with respect to the Defined Benefit Program the rate of credited interest to be credited to members’ accumulated retirement contributions for service performed after June 30, 1935, and the accumulated annuity deposit contributions excluding all accumulated contributions while being paid as disability allowances, family allowances, and retirement allowances. (b) The board shall credit interest to all other accumulated reserves at the actuarially assumed interest rate.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22217. Section 22217.

(a) The board shall employ a certified public accountant or public accountant, who is not in public employment, to audit the financial statements of the system. The costs of the audit shall be paid from the income of the retirement fund. The audit shall be made annually and the audit report shall be incorporated into the annual report filed with the Governor and the Legislature pursuant to Section 22324. (b) These audits shall not be duplicated by the Department of Finance or the State Auditor. The system shall be exempt from a pro rata general administrative charge for auditing.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22219. Section 22219.

(a) The board may in its discretion hold a hearing for the purpose of determining any question presented to it involving any right, benefit, or obligation of a person under this part. (b) When a hearing is held, the proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to administrative adjudication, and the board shall have all of the powers granted in that chapter. However, the provisions of Section 11508 of the Government Code relating to the location of the hearing shall not apply, and the hearing shall be held at the time and place determined by the board.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22220. Section 22220.

In addition to the authority granted pursuant to Section 11181 of the Government Code, the board may subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance to testify before it.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22221. Section 22221.

The board shall adopt, upon the recommendation of the actuary of the system, any mortality and other tables and interest rates necessary to do the following: (a) Permit valuation of the assets and liabilities of the system. (b) Make any determination or calculation necessary to carry out this part.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22222. Section 22222.

The board may adjust the amounts of the death payments based on changes in the All Urban California Consumer Price Index, and shall adopt as a plan amendment with respect to the Defined Benefit Program any adjusted amount, provided that the most recent actuarial valuation report indicates that the adjustment would not increase the normal cost.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22223. Section 22223.

The members of the board who are not active members of the Defined Benefit Program or active participants of the Cash Balance Benefit Program and who are appointed by the Governor pursuant to Section 22200 shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) for every day of actual attendance at meetings of the board or any meeting of any committee of the board of which the person is a member, and that is conducted for the purpose of carrying out the powers and duties of the board, together with their necessary traveling expenses incurred in connection with performance of their official duties.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22224. Section 22224.

Members of the Defined Benefit Program and participants of the Cash Balance Benefit Program, who are either elected to the board or appointed to the board by the Governor pursuant to Section 22200, or who are appointed by the board to serve on a committee or subcommittee of the board or a panel of the system, shall be granted, by his or her employer, sufficient time away from regular duties, without loss of compensation or other benefits to which the person is entitled by reason of employment, to attend meetings of the board or any of its committees or subcommittees of which the person is a member, or to serve as a member of a panel of the system, and to attend to the duties expected to be performed by the person.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22225. Section 22225.

(a) The compensation of the members of the Defined Benefit Program and participants of the Cash Balance Benefit Program who are either elected to the board or appointed to the board by the Governor pursuant to Section 22200, or who are appointed by the board to a committee or subcommittee, or to a panel of the system, may not be reduced by his or her employer for any absence from service occasioned by attendance upon the business of the board, pursuant to Section 22224. (b) Each employer that employs either a member of the Defined Benefit Program or a participant of the Cash Balance Benefit Program elected or appointed pursuant to Section 22224 and that employs a person to replace the member or participant during attendance at meetings of the board, its committees or subcommittees, or when serving as a member of a panel of the system, or when carrying out other duties approved by the board, shall be reimbursed from the retirement fund for the cost incurred by employing a replacement.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22226. Section 22226.

(a) The board shall conduct a study on providing health insurance benefits, including vision and dental care benefits, for active, disabled, and retired members, beneficiaries, children, and dependent parents. The health insurance may include vision and dental care. (b) The study shall include, but not be limited to, assessing the lack of access of health insurance benefits for retired teachers and shall evaluate the following: (1) The demand for health insurance benefits. (2) The integration of health insurance benefits and Medicare coverage. (3) The manner in which health insurance benefits would be administered and provided. (c) There is hereby appropriated from the Teachers’ Retirement Fund to the State Teachers’ Retirement Board the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) conduct a study for the purposes identified in this section. If this study results in the implementation of health insurance benefits as described in subdivision (a), the State Teachers’ Retirement Board shall reimburse the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund from administrative fees charged to recipients of the health insurance benefits.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22227. Section 22227.

It is the intent of the Legislature that candidates for board seats described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 22200, including incumbent board members running for reelection, shall file campaign statements with the Secretary of State according to campaign reporting, contribution limits, and conflict of interest provisions of the Political Reform Act, adapted for the unique characteristics of elected member seats on state retirement system boards.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 22228. Section 22228.

(a) Commencing March 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the board shall submit a report to the Legislature on the status of achieving appropriate objectives and initiatives, as defined by the board, regarding participation of emerging or diverse managers responsible for asset management within its portfolio of investments. The report shall be based on contracts that the system enters into on and after January 1, 2022. (b) The report shall also identify and include both of the following: (1) The name of each emerging or diverse manager providing investment portfolio or asset management services at the end of the prior fiscal year, including, but not limited to, fund of funds contracts, for all asset classes, as applicable. The board shall also report the year the emerging or diverse manager was first engaged or contracted to provide investment portfolio or asset management services. (2) The amount managed by each emerging or diverse manager by asset class at the end of the prior fiscal year, as well as the total amount allocated by the system in the applicable asset class during the year and the total amount of the asset class in the system’s investment portfolio. (c) The board shall define the term “emerging manager” and “diverse manager” for purposes of this section. (d) The report required by this section shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. (e) Nothing in this section shall require the board to take action unless the board determines in good faith that the action described in this section is consistent with the fiduciary responsibilities of the board as described in Section 17 of Article XVI of the California Constitution. (f) This section shall not require the board to disclose information that is excepted from disclosure under Section 7928.710 of the Government Code. (g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2028, deletes or extends that date.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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