Retirement
Planning for and financially sustaining retirement can be confusing and stressful. The organizations and programs on this page provide guidance about pensions, Social Security, investments, and other types of retirement income. Some programs also help older adults invest wisely and receive all the retirement income to which they are entitled from Social Security and/or pensions.
Click on the v-shaped arrow to the right of each program description to view more information.
AARP provides numerous articles on its website about retirement, from planning for retirement to understanding your Social Security retirement benefits.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Phone: 1-888-OUR-AARP
Website: https://www.aarp.org/retirement/?intcmp=GLBNAV-PL-RET-RET
CalPERS is the largest public pension system in the United States, providing retirement income to California school, state, and public agency employees.
Cost: beneficiaries contribute to pension fund while employed
Who Is Eligible: CalPERS members
Address: 400 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (888) 225-7377
Email: can send message through Questions, Comments & Complaints page on website
Website: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/home
Older adults can call this agency to report concerns about how their brokerage accounts are being handled or get help reviewing investment portfolios or account statements. FINRA also provides a variety of investor educational materials and tools to do a background check on a broker or brokerage firm.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone (program targeted to older adults or caregivers)
Address: 1735 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Phone Number: (844) 574-3577
Email: message can be sent through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://www.finra.org/investors/have-problem/helpline-seniors
The US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Office of Investor Education and Advocacy published this website to help consumers make sound investment decisions and avoid fraud. In addition to accessing educational materials on the website, anyone can ask investment-related questions through the on-line form or by email or phone.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-0213
Phone Number: (800) 732-0330
Email: Help@sec.gov
Website: https://www.investor.gov/
This free program assists clients to understand retirement plan rights and claim retirement benefits. Staff can help to track down benefits from previous employers, work through the claims and appeal process, correct pension benefit calculations, address overpayment demands, and help former or surviving spouses understand their rights.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone who has lived or worked in California, Arizona, Nevada, or Hawaii
Address: 501 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (866) 413-4911
Website: https://lsnc.net/office/western-states-pension-assistance-project
This federal agency educates the public about defined benefit pensions and takes over failed private pensions plans to ensure beneficiaries continue to receive retirement income.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: PO Box 151750, Alexandria, VA 22315-1750
Phone: (800) 400-7242
Email: CustomerService@pbgc.gov
Website: https://www.pbgc.gov/
The Social Security Administration administers Social Security retirement, disability, and survivors benefits.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone may access information; entitlement to benefits varies by benefit type
Address: multiple locations in Sacramento County, go to https://www.ssa.gov/locator/ to find your local office
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Email: can send message through Email Us page on website
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/
Note: personalized information and many services can be accomplished by setting up a my Social Security account, for more information, go to https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
The federal agency advocates for workers, retirees, and families covered by private retirement and health plans through education and enforcement. Beneficiaries may be able to obtain plan documentation needed to claim benefits.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 200 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: (866) 444-3272
Email: can send message through Ask A Question page on website
Website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa
The VA provides a variety of different types of pensions for veterans and their survivors.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone may access information; see website or contact VA for information about pension eligibility
Address: 3046 Prospect Park, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (regional benefit satellite office)
Phone: (916) 364-6700 or (800) 827-1000
Email: can send message through Ask VA page on website
Website: https://www.va.gov/
WISER is a national nonprofit organization that works to help women, educators and policymakers understand the important issues surrounding women’s retirement income. They offer information on their website, through webinars, and in their newsletter.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 730, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 393-5452
Email: info@wiserwomen.org
Website: https://wiserwomen.org/
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This page was created by Catheryn Koss. Last updated 6/9/2022