Making Cents
couple looking at laptop with family in the background
Announcements      |      Looking Ahead      |      Spotlight      |      Learning More      |      Planning for Retirement

Meet Arturo Mendez, the newest dedicated Account Manager for the CalPERS 457 Plan

Do something good for those you care about by reviewing your beneficiary elections

Start an emergency fund today

Access your account online and stay on track for retirement

Four steps to boost your credit score

How do you know when it’s time to retire?

 

 

 

 

 

Log into Your CalPERS 457 Plan Account

Dedicated Account Managers for the CalPERS 457 Plan

Schedule an Appointment with a Dedicated Account Manager

Beneficiary Designation Form

Voya Learn

Life Stage Guidance


announcement icon Announcements ^ TOP OF PAGE

Arturo MendezMeet Arturo Mendez, the newest dedicated Account Manager for the CalPERS 457 Plan

The dedicated team of Account Managers for the CalPERS 457 Plan helps you get and stay on track for retirement. At the end of March, one of the Account Managers also achieved that goal and is now enjoying retirement.

Debbie Orlauski was a part of the Account Manager team for more than 10 years and in the financial services industry for over 20 years. While those that worked with Debbie will miss her, we are excited that she has started this new chapter in life and thank her for the years of service and dedication to the CalPERS 457 Plan.

With Debbie’s departure, the CalPERS 457 Plan welcomes Arturo Mendez to the Account Manager team. Arturo will serve the counties of central California (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne). He has been in the financial services industry for more than 10 years, serving in a variety of corporate and government client relationship management roles. Arturo graduated from University of California, Merced with a degree in Business Management and maintains active FINRA Series 7, 63, 65, California insurance license (License #4300266) designations. Plus, Arturo is bilingual and can meet with anyone who prefers to receive Spanish-language support.

Like all the dedicated Account Managers, Arturo is passionate about helping people learn more about the benefits of saving for retirement and establishing their own retirement savings strategy. If you previously worked with Debbie and have not yet met Arturo, please contact him by email at arturo.mendez@voya.com or phone at 888-713-8244 ext. 4. You can also meet the dedicated Account Managers for the CalPERS 457 Plan for more information about how they are located across the State to support you.

Information from registered Plan Service Representatives is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Local Plan Service Representatives are registered representatives of Voya Financial Advisors, Inc., member SIPC (VFA). Plan administration services provided by Voya Institutional Plan Services, LLC.

 


Manage your beneficiaries and protect what matters most

Love isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s the small, intentional steps that matter most. One of those steps that speaks volumes is making sure your loved ones are cared for, even after you’re gone.

By naming or updating your beneficiaries, you can help ensure your assets transfer directly, avoid probate, ease stress for loved ones, and offer the lasting gift of security and a meaningful legacy.

If you have a will in place, did you know that beneficiary designations take priority? Keeping beneficiary designations up-to-date helps make sure your assets transfer directly to the people you choose. This simple step can help avoid legal complications and tax surprises for your loved ones. As your life changes, so too should your designations. If you divorce or remarry and forget to update your beneficiary, for example, your ex-spouse could receive the account’s death benefit even if you have an updated will.

Take a moment to review the financial accounts that would pay a benefit in the event of your death. That may include retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, annuities, bank accounts, Health Savings Accounts, education savings plans, trusts, real estate deeds and life insurance policies.

couple talking on the couch

When was the last time you reviewed the beneficiary(ies) for your CalPERS 457 Plan account? Your beneficiary designations are easily accessible online.

  1. Visit calpers457.com and click Log In to access your account.
  2. Hover over your name in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Select Personal Information.
  4. Scroll down to the Beneficiary Information section to view your beneficiary designations.

If you are single, or if married and naming your spouse as your sole primary beneficiary, click Add/Edit to make or change your beneficiary designations online. If you are married or in a domestic partnership and designating someone other than your spouse/domestic partner as your primary beneficiary, you must download and complete the Beneficiary Designation Form and return it as noted on the form.

For questions about or assistance with the beneficiary designation process, call the CalPERS Plan Information Line at 800-260-0659 and press 2. Representatives are available to assist you weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT, excluding stock market holidays. Then be sure to review your beneficiary designations at least annually and update them as needed when life changes. Don’t forget to also check other financial or insurance accounts to keep assets in the hands of those you love — long after you’re gone.

 

Looking ahead icon Looking Ahead ^ TOP OF PAGE

Start an emergency fund today

Woman reviewing finances on laptopDid you get a tax refund this year? If you now have some extra cash, why not consider putting it to good use? Setting aside even a portion of any financial windfall into an emergency fund can help make a big difference.

Many people may not be able to cover a surprise expense without borrowing. When life happens and an unexpected bill pops up, having an emergency fund gives you peace of mind and can help you stay in control of your finances.

Think back to the last time something unexpected happened. If your car needed work or a home appliance needed to be replaced, did you have the cash to pay for it or did it end up on your credit card? Now’s the perfect time to start building that “rainy day” fund.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Aim to have $1,000 in savings, then work toward saving an amount equal to three to six months of your income.
  • Automate your savings by setting up regular deposits into an account that you only access in an emergency.
  • If your bank allows, create separate accounts for different goals and make sure you can access them quickly and easily.
  • Start small and save consistently. Even saving just $10 a week gets you halfway to your $1,000 goal in a year.

To learn more about establishing an emergency fund, visit voya.com/voyalearn and search keyword emergency on the on-demand session page. You can also visit calpers457.com and log into your CalPERS 457 Plan account to connect your external accounts like checking, credit cards, savings, and more alongside your retirement savings. That way, you can help manage your spending and identify other ways to keep the momentum of building up your emergency fund.

 

Spotlight icon Spotlighting the CalPERS 457 Plan ^ TOP OF PAGE

Access your account online and stay on track for retirement

You can securely manage your CalPERS 457 Plan account online at any time from any device. Check your progress towards your retirement goals, make saving and investment changes, experience financial wellness and more.

Registering your account is an important first step in keeping your information secure. Visit calpers457.com and click Log In to begin the registration process to create your account username and password. Then log in, go to your profile in the upper right hand corner, and click Communication Preferences to update your account notifications to paperless. Make it a habit to review your CalPERS 457 Plan account information on a regular basis to help ensure that your account and contact information remain current.

Once you log in, the myOrangeMoney® experience on your account homepage is a powerful interactive, educational experience that combines your account balance and Social Security to help you visualize your future retirement income today. myOrangeMoney also allows you to include other sources of retirement income, so you can see a comprehensive view of your estimated income.

  • Above the orange dollar bill, change Let’s talk about your retirement savings to Let’s talk about your other retirement savings and income to add other accounts and income information.
  • Select Pension Income to add other retirement income sources. Select Other Income and click Add or Edit Accounts to add additional assets and retirement accounts to your overall income estimate.
  • Once you’re done, you can see a breakdown of your estimated monthly income by source by clicking View Details below the orange dollar bill.

You can also go mobile to manage your money.

Go to your favorite app store and search keyword: Voya for the Voya mobile app. The app allows you to quickly and easily view your account details, make transactions, and use the myOrangeMoney experience on the go.

For questions about accessing your account or assistance with myOrangeMoney, call the CalPERS Plan Information Line at 800-260-0659 and press 2. Representatives are available to assist you weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT, excluding stock market holidays. You can also schedule a one-on-one personal phone appointment with a dedicated Account Manager to review and discuss your myOrangeMoney results by going to calpers457.timetap.com or calling 888-713-8244.

IMPORTANT: The illustrations or other information generated by the calculators are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results. This information does not serve, either directly or indirectly, as legal, financial or tax advice and you should always consult a qualified professional legal, financial and/or tax advisor when making decisions related to your individual tax situation.

 

Learning Icon Learning more about the CalPERS 457 Plan ^ TOP OF PAGE

Four steps to boost your credit score

Your credit score affects more than just loans. It can even impact job opportunities. Lenders use it to decide if you qualify for credit and what terms you’ll get. Small, steady steps can help boost your score over time. Consider the following measures:

1. Pay your bills on time Each month, pay at least the minimum amount due on each bill. A consistent record of bills paid on time will improve your credit rating.
2. Stay in touch with creditors If you’re having trouble paying your bills, contact your creditors. They may be willing to work out a reduced payment schedule with you to help you get your financial situation back on track.
3. Reduce debt and credit card balances Lowering your level of debt and the balances you carry on your credit cards can increase your credit score. Focus on paying off cards with the highest interest rates first. Simply transferring outstanding balances to new accounts without reducing debt won’t raise your score.
4. Check your credit report annually You can order your own credit reports from the three major credit reporting bureaus annually. It’s free to order and allows you to check and see if there are any errors or problems. Visit annualcreditreport.com for more information.

Managing debt is important for your credit score, but it’s also one of the pillars that is key to achieving overall financial wellness. Resources are available in your CalPERS 457 Plan account to help you evaluate your current financial state. Visit calpers457.com to access your account and click Financial Wellness at the top of the page to complete a brief assessment. You’ll then receive a personalized summary with actionable steps to improve your financial outlook. This summer, commit to focusing on your financial wellness and your future.

 
Planning icon Planning for retirement with the CalPERS 457 Plan ^ TOP OF PAGE

How do you know when it’s time to retire?

Deciding when to retire isn’t always simple. Sometimes you choose the date; other times, circumstances such as a “voluntary retirement” offer may make the decision for you. Some people retire early, while others stay in the workforce as long as possible. Even the meaning of “retirement” has evolved. Today, many retirees see it as a chance to take on new challenges and explore fresh opportunities.

Early retirement can sound appealing, but it comes with important financial considerations:

Your savings become withdrawals. When you stop working, you switch from saving for retirement to withdrawing money from your savings accounts. The longer you can work, the more you can save.
You may live longer in retirement. Life expectancy continues to rise. That means the earlier you retire, the more years you will be dependent on your savings.
Your guaranteed income may decrease. Your Social Security benefits will be reduced if you start taking them before you reach full retirement age (currently 66 for most people).
Early withdrawals can trigger penalties. Based on your age, the account you’re withdrawing from, and when you’re taking withdrawals, you may have an IRS 10% early withdrawal penalty in addition to the income tax owed on your pre-tax contributions. Check and consider the plan rules for all your retirement saving accounts when determining where your retirement income will come from and when.
Your health insurance costs may rise. Medicare starts at age 65. If you retire before then and you don’t have retiree health benefits, you may have to pay for your own coverage.

Working longer lets you save more, shortens the time you’ll rely on your savings, and gives you extra time to plan for your next chapter. At the end of day, it’s a personal decision often decided on goals, circumstances and readiness for what comes next.

When you’re ready to discuss your distribution options in retirement, call 888-713-8244 or visit calpers457.timetap.com to schedule an appointment with your dedicated Account Manager. You can also visit Voya’s life stage guidance pages at voya.com/lifestages for more information about the simple steps to consider when making sure you’re prepared for retirement and then how to manage your finances to enjoy yourself in retirement.

 

This material has been provided for educational purposes only. This material was created to provide accurate and reliable information on the subjects covered. It is not intended to provide specific legal, tax or other professional advice.

Information from registered Plan Service Representatives is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Local Plan Service Representatives are registered representatives of Voya Financial Advisors, Inc., member SIPC. Plan administration services provided by Voya Institutional Plan Services, LLC.

3282050_0526     CN5434076_0428      ©2026 Voya Services Company. All rights reserved.

CalPERS 457 Plan logo