Your December payment is always dated the first business day of January, so it counts as income in the new tax year. Check mailing dates are the same for Northern and Southern California in 2026.
| Benefit month | Direct deposit | Check mailed |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Fri, Jan 30 | Wed, Jan 28 |
| February 2026 | Fri, Feb 27 | Wed, Feb 25 |
| March 2026 | Wed, Apr 1 | Mon, Mar 30 |
| April 2026 | Fri, May 1 | Tue, Apr 28 |
| May 2026 | Mon, Jun 1 | Thu, May 28 |
| June 2026 | Wed, Jul 1 | Mon, Jun 29 |
| July 2026 | Fri, Jul 31 | Wed, Jul 29 |
| August 2026 | Tue, Sep 1 | Fri, Aug 28 |
| September 2026 | Thu, Oct 1 | Mon, Sep 28 |
| October 2026 | Fri, Oct 30 | Wed, Oct 28 |
| November 2026 | Tue, Dec 1 | Wed, Nov 25 |
| December 2026 | Mon, Jan 4, 2027 | Tue, Dec 29 |
Questions
When does CalPERS pay retirees?
CalPERS pays at the start of each month for the month before. The State Controller’s Office issues the payments.
Why did my payment not arrive on the date shown?
Direct deposits usually post on the date shown, but some banks release funds a day later. Paper checks are mailed before the payment date and can take several days to arrive. If a payment is more than five business days late, contact the plan.
Does the December payment count for this year or next?
CalPERS pays the December benefit in early January, so it is reported as income on the next year's 1099-R.
Related
See the CalPERS COLA page for when your check goes up, and the CalPERS calculator to estimate the amount.