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.

I've transferred to a different location. Do I have to switch medical plans?
You might. Not all medical plans are available throughout California. Check with your new personnel specialist to see if you need to update your medical choice when you transfer. You don't need to wait until the annual open enrollment when you move.

How can I lower my prescription costs?
It's a great idea to review your prescriptions to lower your expenses. Review your prescriptions with your medical care provider and evaluate whether you can eliminate some medications. If there is a generic equivalent for a medication, ask your medical provider to switch you; generics can significantly lower your expenses. Also, if you take a medication on a regular basis, ask to transfer prescriptions to your plan's mail order pharmacy. Many mail order pharmacies give you a 90 day supply, and your copayment is lower.

Where do I go to get chiropractic care?
CCPOA Medical Plan participants have a network chiropractic benefit. You can visit a network chiropractor for 20 visits a year, with a $15 copayment. To find a network chiropractor, call 800-678-9133.

What’s Teladoc?
As a CCPOA Medical Plan member, you can use Teladoc to speak with a doctor on the phone or online, at any time. All doctors are board-certified California physicians and you just pay a $15 copay – the same as seeing your doctor.
Visit teladoc.com/bsc or call 1-800-Teladoc (835-2362) to register or request a consult.

I'm retired. What medical plans can I have?
CalPERS becomes your health benefits officer in retirement. They have information on their website - www.calpers.ca.gov to help you make decisions about what medical plans work best for you. You can also call them at 888-225-7377. If you are a CCPOA retiree living in a covered zip code area you can also enroll in the CCPOA Medical Plan or our Medicare Supplement.

I'm about to be married. Do I have to wait for open enrollment to add my new spouse?
You have 60 days from the date of your marriage to add your spouse and any stepchildren to your medical plan. If you are active, check with your personnel specialist. If you are retired, contact CalPERS. You may need to provide a copy of the marriage certificate and possibly social security numbers and dates of birth for your new dependents.

I'm retiring; where do I go to make sure I get signed up for medical?
Congratulations! The Trust and CalPERS have resources for planning your retirement. When you retire, CalPERS becomes your health benefit officer. Give them a call as soon as you begin your retirement planning to find out what steps you need to take. Your personnel specialist will also assist you in filing your retirement paperwork. Also, be sure to check out the Trust's retirement planning section found on the homepage of this website and call the Trust's Eligibility Department at 800-468-6486 to get your Trust retirement benefits ready.

Do I have to enroll every year to keep my piggyback?
You don’t need to re-enroll in piggyback once you’ve joined.

My child needs braces; how does that work with piggyback?
Piggyback has an orthodontic benefit with a $500 family lifetime benefit. Check with the Trust before beginning treatment for details on using this benefit.
 
Is there a separate piggyback for vision?
No, Piggyback is easy to use and that might make it our most popular program, with dental, vision and a hearing aid benefit combined. When you have Piggyback, you have all three benefits dental, vision and hearing aid coverage.
 
How do I use my piggyback for eyeglasses?
When you visit your eye-care provider for services ask for an itemized receipt. Send a copy of your receipt to the Trust with the last 4 of your SSN. We will quickly review your claim and issue a check to you for your covered expenses.

How do I use my vision benefits?
When you are enrolled in a CCPOA vision program, you get personalized eye care and the eye wellness care necessary to keep you healthy and on the move.
To use your vision benefit, simply contact VSP at 800-877-7195 and ask the VSP representative to assist you with using your VSP benefit. Or, you can go online to vsp.com and register to find a VPS eye care provider near you, review your benefit information, and see plan coverage information. At your appointment just let them know you're a VSP participant. You don't need an ID card to use your vision services.
 
I'm retired. Can I still get vision through the Trust?
Yes! Although the State does not provide an automatic vision benefit, you can get the vision care you need by enrolling in a vision care program through the Trust. Information and enrollment materials are in the retired section of this website.

I'm a supervisor. Do I still get the 2nd pair benefit?
YES. CCPOA Supervisors get a richer vision benefit than non-members through the CCPOA Benefit Trust Fund. This includes a second pair benefit.
To see your benefits, visit the Supervisory tab on the VSP page.
 
When I went to get my eyes checked, the 2nd pair benefit didn't show. I promoted last year. What gives?
Unfortunately, sometimes there are glitches with the file the State provides for supervisory vision care.
Please call the Trust Eligibility Department at 800-468-6486 and we'll promptly correct your vision care coverage through VSP.