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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 4Pt. 3Ch. 8Art. 1§ 16942 State Pension Payment Obligations

§ 16942 State Pension Payment Obligations

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 16942 State Pension Payment Obligations

Key Takeaways

  • •The state must pay its pension obligations on time, no delays allowed.
  • •Pension payments cannot be skipped or delayed, even if the state is short on money.
  • •The state cannot use pension money to cover other budget problems.
  • •Pension payments are required by law and must be paid when due.

Example

Imagine the state has a big bill to pay for teachers' retirement money, but the state is running low on cash.

Even if the state doesn't have enough money for other things, it still has to pay the teachers' retirement on time. It can't say, 'We'll pay it later' or use that money to fix roads or pay for schools.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 16942 State Pension Payment Obligations

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the state’s obligation to pay its pension obligations to the Public Employees’ Retirement System in the amounts established by the Board of Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System, cannot be deferred by the state; that the state’s pension obligations are due and payable at predetermined times; and that the Controller is required to pay those pension obligations when they are due. The Legislature further finds that the state’s pension obligations cannot be included in an accumulated state budget deficit, as defined in Section 1.3 of Article XVI of the California Constitution. Further, the Legislature finds that its pension obligations are imposed by law, and not subject to Section 1 of Article XVI of the California Constitution and that the bonds authorized to be issued under this chapter have the same character under the Constitution as the pension obligations funded or refunded. (Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 215, Sec. 4. Effective August 11, 2004.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

pension obligationsPublic Employees’ Retirement SystemBoard of Administrationaccumulated state budget deficitbonds authorized to be issued

Related Statutes

  • § 16941 Pension Obligation Bond Issuance
  • § 20090 Public Retirement Board Composition
  • § 11800 Performance And Results Act
  • § 11801 Performance Budgeting Pilot Program
  • § 16940 Pension Restructuring Bonds

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 16942.
View Official Source