RPEA | California’s Voice for Public Employees and Retirees

 

We are active and retired California public employees working together to protect what we have earned and strengthen the future for those who follow. We advocate for secure pensions, quality healthcare, financial security, and transparency and accountability in the decisions that affect public employees and retirees.

 
About
RPEA State Officers & Area Directors
RPEA Legislative Committee
Testimonials
Magazine
Documents/Forms
Resources
Volunteer

Why RPEA?

 

RPEA is a nonprofit association representing active and retired public employees who are members and beneficiaries of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).

For decades, RPEA has been a strong, independent voice for California’s public employees and retirees. We work to protect the pensions, healthcare and other benefits our members have earned through their years of public service.

  • We represent public employees and retirees from state government, schools, cities, counties, special districts and other public agencies participating in CalPERS.
  • We give members a strong voice at CalPERS, advocating before the Board of Administration and holding CalPERS accountable for decisions affecting our pensions, healthcare and retirement security.
  • We advocate at CalPERS, the State Capitol, and in Congress, supporting legislation that protects public employees and retirees and opposing proposals that threaten our earned benefits.
  • We protect pensions and healthcare, fighting to preserve the benefits our members have earned while working to strengthen them for current and future retirees.
  • We fight for transparency and accountability, particularly when decisions involving billions of dollars in public pension assets can affect the security of our retirement system.
  • We protect retirees beyond their pensions, advocating on issues such as Social Security, healthcare affordability, elder financial abuse, fraud and other issues affecting older Californians.
  • We keep our members informed and connected through local chapters, meetings, educational programs, legislative updates, our magazine and other member communications.
  • We are stronger because of our members. Every member adds another voice to RPEA’s ability to advocate for public employees and retirees.

RPEA: California’s Voice for Public Employees and Retirees

Your pension. Your healthcare. Your retirement security. Our fight.

At just $5 a month, RPEA membership helps ensure that public employees and retirees have a strong organization standing up for the benefits they have earned.

You need RPEA to help protect your pension and benefits. RPEA needs you to make our voice stronger. 

About
RPEA State Officers & Area Directors
RPEA Legislative Committee
Testimonials
Magazine
Documents/Forms
Resources
Volunteer

Who We Are

 

RPEA brings together more than 25,000 active and retired public employees through 67 active chapters in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oregon.

Since 1958, RPEA has protected, defended, and strengthened the retirement and healthcare benefits earned by public employees who receive benefits through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).

As the only statewide association representing all CalPERS retirees and benficiaries, RPEA gives a strong, unified voice to State, Classified School, and Public Agency employees and retirees.

We advocate for our members at CalPERS, at the State Capitol, and in Congress—working to protect earned benefits, strengthen retirement security, and ensure that the voices of public employees and retirees are heard.

Why Join RPEA?

Because your pension, healthcare, and retirement security need a strong voice.

  • We advocate for you. RPEA retains professional legislative advocates who represent the interests of public employees and retirees before the Governor and California Legislature, while RPEA also stays engaged on federal issues affecting public employees and retirees.
  • We are your watchdog at CalPERS. RPEA leadership actively monitors the CalPERS Board of Administration and its committees, provides public comment, and speaks out on decisions affecting public employees and retirees. We scrutinize investment performance and risk, private equity and private debt, governance, transparency and accountability, as well as executive compensation, bonuses, and other staff compensation. When we believe CalPERS decisions or practices deserve greater scrutiny, RPEA asks tough questions, challenges decisions, and demands answers on behalf of our members.
  • We hold CalPERS accountable. When RPEA believes a CalPERS policy, investment decision, governance practice, or lack of transparency could affect our members or the security of the pension fund, our leadership speaks up, asks tough questions, and advocates for change.
  • We protect your earned benefits. RPEA works to protect and strengthen pensions, healthcare, Social Security, and other benefits earned through public service.
  • We keep you informed. Members receive RPEA's statewide magazine along with legislative, CalPERS, healthcare, advocacy, and other important updates throughout the year.
  • We give you strength in numbers. Every member strengthens RPEA's ability to advocate at CalPERS, the State Capitol, and the federal level.
  • We offer valuable member benefits. Members have access to discounts, programs, and other benefits available through RPEA.

When you join RPEA, you add your voice to thousands of public employees and retirees working together to protect what we've earned and strengthen retirement security for the future.

RPEA Organizational Structure

 

RPEA is a member-driven organization. The General Assembly, composed of Delegates representing RPEA chapters, serves as the Association’s governing body.

Between General Assemblies, the elected State Board of Directors provides leadership and oversight of the Association in accordance with the authority and responsibilities established in RPEA’s Bylaws and Policy File.

RPEA’s State Board of Directors is currently composed of:

OFFICERS
  • President
  • Vice President
  • Secretary/Treasurer
  • Immediate Past President
DIRECTORS
  • Director of Membership
  • Director of Public Relations
  • Director of Health Benefits
  • Director of Legislation
AREA DIRECTORS
  • 9 Area  Directors
  • Each Area Director has a number of Assistant Area Directors who together manage and assist some 67 active chapters.