LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 4Pt. 3Ch. 3Art. 3§ 31538 Benefit Adjustments For Irs Limits

§ 31538 Benefit Adjustments For Irs Limits

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

§ 31538 Benefit Adjustments For Irs Limits

Key Takeaways

  • •This law makes sure people get the most money possible from their retirement benefits without breaking tax rules.
  • •The money you get each year from retirement can't be more than a certain limit set by tax laws.
  • •If the cost of living goes up, your retirement money can go up too, even after you stop working.
  • •The retirement board can change how they pay you to make sure you get the most money allowed.

Example

Imagine you get $3,000 every month from your retirement. The tax law says you can't get more than $250,000 in a year.

The board will make sure your monthly payments don't add up to more than $250,000 in a year. If the cost of living goes up, they might increase your monthly payment a little bit to help you keep up, but they won't let it go over the limit.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 31538 Benefit Adjustments For Irs Limits

(a) The board shall adjust the payment of benefits payable pursuant to this part, as necessary, in order to maximize the benefits available to members who are subject to the limits of Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code. Those adjustments shall include, but are not limited to, cost-of-living adjustments, cost-of-living banks, temporary annuities, survivor continuance benefits, or any combinations thereof. (b) The amount payable to a member in any limitation year, including cost-of-living adjustments, shall not exceed the limit established under Section 415(b) of the Internal Revenue Code at the annuity starting date, and as may be increased in subsequent years pursuant to Section 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations. (c) The cost-of-living adjustments made pursuant to Section 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code to the limit established under Section 415(b) of the Internal Revenue Code continue to apply after a member’s severance from employment or annuity starting date. (Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 188, Sec. 2. (AB 1354) Effective January 1, 2011.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

annuityinternal revenue codeemploymentseveranceretirementbenefitsregulationsurvivor

Related Statutes

  • § 31526 Retirement Board Administrative Rules
  • § 31494.5 Retirement Plan Change Election
  • § 31522.9 Retirement System Personnel Appointments
  • § 31536 Retirement Appeal Attorney Fees
  • § 31730 Beneficiary Reemployment After Review

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 31538.
View Official Source