Cal. Code Regs. tit. 2 § 571
Bonus -- Compensation to employees for superior performance such as "annual performance bonus" and "merit pay". If provided only during a member's final compensation period, it shall be excluded from final compensation as "final settlement" pay. A program or system must be in place to plan and identify performance goals and objectives.
Dictation/Shorthand/Typing Premium -- Compensation to clerical employees for shorthand, dictation or typing at a specified speed.
Longevity Pay -- Additional compensation to employees who have been with an employer, or in a specified job classification, for a certain minimum period of time exceeding five years.
Management Incentive Pay -- Compensation granted to management employees in the form of additional time off or extra pay due to the unique nature of their job. Employees within the group cannot have the option to take time off or receive extra pay. This compensation must be reported periodically as earned and must be for duties performed during normal work hours. This compensation cannot be for overtime, nor in lieu of other benefits excluded under the statutes, nor for special compensation not otherwise listed in this Section 571.
Marksmanship Pay -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who meet an established criterion such as "certification" as a marksperson.
Master Police Officer -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who meet specified requirements, years of employment, performance standards, education, Peace Officer Standard Training (POST), and perform a specialty assignment.
Physical Fitness Program -- Compensation to local safety members and school security officers who meet an established physical fitness criterion.
Value of Employer-Paid Member Contributions (EPMC) -- The full monetary value of employer-paid member contributions (EPMC) paid to CalPERS and reported as an item of special compensation on behalf of all members in a group or class.
The value of EPMC is calculated on all "compensation earnable" excluding the special compensation of the monetary value of EPMC paid to CalPERS by the employer under Government Code section 20636(c)(4), thus eliminating a perpetual calculation.
The time-in-grade exception from paying and reporting the value of EPMC as an item of special compensation pursuant to this Section 571, is separate and apart from the time-in-grade exception from paying EPMC pursuant to Section 569 of these regulations. Both of these exceptions are separate and apart from, nor do they apply to, the process for converting EPMC to payrate during the period of final compensation, pursuant to Section 20692 of the Government Code.
Off-Salary-Schedule Pay -- Compensation in addition to base salary paid in similar lump-sum amounts to a group or class of employees. These payments are routinely negotiated through collective bargaining in lieu of increases to the salary schedule. These payments are based on a similar percent of scheduled salary not to exceed six percent (6%) per fiscal year. The contracting agency or school employer may adopt similar action for non-represented groups or classes of employment as were negotiated through collective bargaining.
The items of special compensation outlined below do not include reimbursement to an employee for the cost of an application or test, books, tuition or travel.
Applicator's Differential -- Compensation to employees who are required to maintain a Qualified Pesticide Applicator's Certificate.
Certified Public Accountant Incentive -- Compensation to miscellaneous employees passing an exam and receiving a license as a Certified Public Accountant.
Educational Incentive -- Compensation to employees for completing educational courses, certificates and degrees which enhance their ability to do their job. A program or system must be in place to evaluate and approve acceptable courses. The cost of education that is required for the employee's current job classification is not included in this item of special compensation.
Emergency Medical Technician Pay -- Compensation to safety employees who obtain and maintain an emergency medical technical (EMT) certification.
Engineering Registration Premium -- Compensation to engineers who have taken and passed a California engineering proficiency exam and are registered with the State of California.
Government Agency Required Licenses -- Compensation to employees receiving and maintaining a license required by government or regulatory agencies to perform their duties.
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) Certificate -- Compensation to building inspectors who obtain and maintain an International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) certificate in one or more certified areas.
Mechanical Premium (Brake Adjustment License, SMOG Inspector License) -- Compensation to employees who obtain and maintain state-required mechanical licenses.
National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (NIASE) Certificate -- Compensation to mechanics who obtain and maintain a National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (NIASE) certificate.
Notary Pay -- Compensation to clerical employees who obtain and maintain a notary public certificate from the State of California or are deputized by an agency's chief administrative officer to sign legal or financial documents for the agency.
Paramedic Pay -- Compensation to employees who obtain and maintain certification in auxiliary medical techniques.
Peace Officer Standard Training (POST) Certificate Pay -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who obtain Peace Officer Standard Training (POST) certification.
Reading Specialist Premium -- Compensation to certificated employees who have obtained special training and provide literacy instruction as part of their teaching duties.
Recertification Bonus -- Compensation to local firefighters who obtain and maintain a fire safety and prevention certificate for a specified period of time.
Special Class Driver's License Pay -- Compensation to school bus drivers or street maintenance employees who are required to obtain and maintain a special class driver's license to perform their duties.
Undergraduate/Graduate/Doctoral Credit -- Compensation to school district employees who are required to obtain a specified degree.
Temporary Upgrade Pay -- Compensation to employees who are required by their employer or governing board or body to work in an upgraded position/classification of limited duration.
Accountant Premium -- Compensation to rank and file employees who are routinely and consistently responsible for developing the employer's budget.
Administrative Secretary Premium -- Compensation to an administrative secretary responsible for coordinating meetings, plans and other specialized activities for the governing body of the contracting agency or school employer.
Aircraft/Helicopter Pilot Premium -- Compensation to safety employees who are routinely and consistently assigned as aircraft/helicopter pilots.
Asphalt Work Premium -- Compensation to miscellaneous employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to mix, transport and/or apply a tar-like substance for sidewalks, roads, roofs and/or parking lots.
Audio Visual Premium -- Compensation to miscellaneous employees who are routinely and consistently responsible for operating audio visual equipment.
Auditorium Preparation Premium -- Compensation to school employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to prepare auditorium(s), i.e. setting up stages, lighting, props and chairs for performing arts purposes.
Bilingual Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to positions requiring communication skills in languages other than English.
Branch Assignment Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to a branch office or work site that is identified as "rural" or "remote" in the written labor agreement.
Canine Officer/Animal Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to handle, train and board a canine or horse. Compensation shall not include veterinarian fees, feed or other reimbursable expenses for upkeep of the animal.
Cement Finisher Premium -- Compensation to miscellaneous employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to finish cement work, e.g. watering, brushing or surfacing.
Circulation Librarian Premium -- Compensation to library staff who are routinely and consistently assigned to the circulation desk of the library.
Computer Operations Premium -- Compensation to employees who have special knowledge of computer processes and applications.
Confidential Premium -- Compensation to rank and file employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to sensitive positions requiring trust and discretion.
Contract Administrator Coordinator Premium -- Compensation to school employees who routinely and consistently coordinate administrative contracts for instruction or facility maintenance.
Crime Scene Investigator Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to analyze and explore a crime scene.
Critical Care Differential Premium -- Compensation to nursing staff who are routinely and consistently assigned to critical and intensive medical or psychological care areas.
D.A.R.E. Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who routinely and consistently provide training to students on drug abuse resistance.
Detective Division Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to a detective or investigative division or intelligence duties.
Detention Services Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to areas where criminally charged persons are confined and nursing staff who are routinely and consistently assigned to an adult facility where criminally charged persons are confined.
DUI Traffic Officer Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to enforce Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drug laws.
Extradition Officer Premium -- Compensation to local police officers and county peace officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to return a person to the custody of another jurisdiction.
Fire Inspector Premium -- Compensation to "fire inspector" personnel who are routinely and consistently assigned to inspect buildings and other permanent structures for compliance with governmental safety standards.
Fire Investigator Premium -- Compensation to "fire investigation" personnel who are routinely and consistently assigned to investigate causes of destructive burning.
Fire Prevention Assignment Premium -- Compensation to rank and file local firefighters who are routinely and consistently assigned to specific fire inspections and investigative work during normal hours of employment that may differ from the work schedule of fire suppression personnel.
Fire Staff Premium -- Compensation to rank and file local firefighters who are routinely and consistently assigned to administrative work during normal hours of employment that may differ from the work schedule of fire suppression personnel.
Flight Time Premium -- Compensation to safety employees for time spent as co-pilot or crew on work related air missions.
Float Differential Premium -- Compensation for nurses not specifically assigned to a specific station.
Front Desk Assignment (Jail) -- Compensation to employees staffing a jail who are routinely and consistently assigned the duty of responding to questions from the public.
Fugitive Officer Premium -- Compensation to local police officers and county peace officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to pursue persons who have or are fleeing from justice.
Gang Detail Assignment Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to enforce laws relating to a group of individuals banded together for unlawful activities.
Grading Assignment Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to inspect the degree of rise or descent of a sloping surface.
Hazard Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently exposed to toxic, radioactive, explosive or other hazardous substances or perform hazardous activities to implement health or safety procedures.
Heavy/Special Equipment Operator -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to operate heavy equipment or specialized equipment.
Height Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently required to work on ladders or mechanical devices at heights over 40 feet.
Housing Specialist Premium -- Compensation to city housing specialists who are routinely and consistently assigned to perform administrative functions of the housing division.
Juvenile Officer Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to enforce laws that restrict the activities of juveniles.
Lead Worker/Supervisor Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to a lead or supervisory position over other employees, subordinate classifications, or agency-sponsored program participants.
Library Reference Desk Premium -- Compensation to library staff who are routinely and consistently assigned to provide direction or resources to library patrons.
Maintenance Premiums:
Gas Maintenance Premium -- Compensation to maintenance employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to inspect gas construction, repair instruments or perform pipeline welder duties.
Plumber Irrigation System Premium -- Compensation to plumbers who are routinely and consistently assigned as irrigation systems plumbing specialists.
Refuse Collector Premium -- Compensation to maintenance employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to collect refuse.
Street Lamp Replacement Premium -- Compensation to maintenance employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to replace street lamps from an aerial bucket.
MCO Instructor Premium -- Compensation to miscellaneous employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to train Motor Coach Operators, i.e. bus drivers.
Motorcycle Patrol Premium -- Compensation to local police officers and county peace officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to operate and/or patrol on motorcycle.
Mounted Patrol Premium -- Compensation to local police officers and county peace officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to patrol on horseback.
Narcotic Division Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to drug enforcement.
Paramedic Coordinator Premium -- Compensation to paramedics who are routinely and consistently assigned to coordinate training activities in auxiliary medical techniques.
Park Construction Premium -- Compensation to groundskeepers who are routinely and consistently assigned to build park equipment.
Park Maintenance/Equipment Manager Premium -- Compensation to park maintenance employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to equipment management and other administrative duties.
Parking Citation Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to read parking meters and cite drivers who have violated parking laws.
Patrol Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to patrol detail.
Police Administrative Officer -- Compensation to rank and file police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to police administration to provide support for the police chief and command staff in the operation of the police department.
Police Investigator Premium -- Compensation to rank and file local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to analyze crimes or investigative accidents.
Police Liaison Premium -- Compensation to rank and file local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to function as a liaison between special persons, groups or courts and the police/sheriff department.
Police Polygraph Officer -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to administer and interpret polygraph exams.
Police Records Assignment Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to the police records division.
Rangemaster Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to supervise the target range facilities and all related activities.
Refugee Arrival Cleanup Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to cleanup from activities directly related to refugee arrival flights.
Safety Officer Training/Coordinator Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to instruct personnel in safety procedures.
Sandblasting Premium -- Compensation to miscellaneous employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to operate sandblasting equipment.
School Yard Premium -- Compensation to part-time school district employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to supervise students during recreation.
Search Pay Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to search and process prisoners in the induction area of jails.
Severely Disabled Premium -- Compensation to school instructional aides who are routinely and consistently assigned to work with severely disabled students.
Sewer Crew Premium -- Compensation to laborers who are routinely and consistently assigned to repair and maintain sewer systems.
Shift Differential -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently scheduled to work other than a standard "daytime" shift, e.g. graveyard shift, swing shift, shift change, rotating shift, split shift or weekends.
Solo Patrol Premium -- Compensation to local police officers, county peace officers and school police or security officers who are routinely and consistently assigned to patrol alone in vehicles.
Sprinkler and Backflow Premium -- Compensation to groundskeepers who are routinely and consistently assigned to repair large sprinkler head controllers, valves and backflow prevention devices.
Tiller Premium -- Compensation to local firefighters who are routinely and consistently assigned to operate the tiller on an aerial ladder.
Tire Technician Premium -- Compensation to equipment attendants who are routinely and consistently assigned to work on heavy duty tires, e.g. for buses and large construction equipment.
Traffic Detail Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to direct traffic.
Training Premium -- Compensation to employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to train employees.
Tree Crew Premium -- Compensation to maintenance workers who are routinely and consistently assigned to remove, prune, or otherwise care for trees.
Utility Meter Premium -- Compensation to miscellaneous employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to re-read utility meters, repair or set and install meters.
Utilities Systems Operation Premium -- Compensation to maintenance or carpenter employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to planner duties in the maintenance division.
Water Certification Premium -- Compensation to miscellaneous employees who are routinely and consistently assigned to test local water quality for compliance with governmental health standards.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) -- Compensation paid for normal full-time work schedule including premium pay required by FLSA. For example, a firefighter's normal work schedule is 56 hours per week. FLSA states premium pay must be paid on all hours worked above 53 hours per week up to what is considered normal for employees on a full-time basis. In this example, the firefighter works 56 hours in a normal work week. Therefore compensation would be reported for 53 hours per week and FLSA premium pay would be reported for 3 hours per week. Any work performed above 56 hours per week would be considered overtime and would not be reported to PERS.
Holiday Pay -- Additional compensation for employees who are normally required to work on an approved holiday because they work in positions that require scheduled staffing without regard to holidays. If these employees are paid over and above their normal monthly rate of pay for approved holidays, the additional compensation is holiday pay and reportable to PERS.
For those employees with written labor agreements providing holiday credit and allowing employees to cash out accumulated holiday credit, the cash out must be done at least annually and reported in the period earned. If a written labor agreement allows an employee to accumulate holiday credit beyond the year in which it is earned and an employee later elects to cash out accumulated holiday credit, it is not compensation for PERS purposes.
If an employee utilizes the cash out option only during his/her final compensation period, it will be considered final settlement pay and excluded from reportable compensation. If the cash out option is also utilized near his/her final compensation period, it may still be excluded based upon a review of the contracting agency or school employer's experience relating to: the number of employees in the group with this option; the number of employees who exercise this option; the frequency with which employees exercise this option; whether or not the cash out is paid periodically, and in a manner that is historically consistent; and whether or not the cash out would create an unfunded liability over and above PERS' actuarial assumptions. This review will be conducted by PERS on a case-by-base basis.
Uniform Allowance -- Compensation paid or the monetary value for the purchase, rental and/or maintenance of required clothing, including clothing made from specially designed protective fabrics, which is a ready substitute for personal attire the employee would otherwise have to acquire and maintain. This excludes items that are solely for personal health and safety such as protective vests, pistols, bullets, and safety shoes.
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 2, § 571
2. Certificate of Compliance as to 7-5-94 order transmitted to OAL 10-28-94; disapproved by OAL and order of repeal as to 7-5-94 order filed on 12-14-94 (Register 94, No. 50).
3. New section refiled 12-15-94 as an emergency, with amendments; operative 12-15-94 (Register 94, No. 50). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-14-95 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 12-15-94 order including amendments transmitted to OAL 4-11-95 and filed 5-23-95 (Register 95, No. 21).
5. Amendment of subsections (a)-(a)(1), new subsections (a)(1)(A)-(F) and amendment of NOTE filed 9-22-99; operative 10-22-99 (Register 99, No. 39).
6. Amendment of subsection (a)(5) filed 5-22-2002; operative 6-21-2002 (Register 2002, No. 21).
7. Amendment of subsection (b)(1), new subsections (b)(1)(A)-(F) and amendment of NOTE filed 7-11-2011; operative 8-10-2011 (Register 2011, No. 28).
8. Change without regulatory effect amending NOTE filed 9-22-2011 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2011, No. 38).
Note: Authority cited: Sections 20120- 20124, 20636(c)(6) and 20636.1(c)(6), Government Code. Reference: Sections 20630, 20636, 20636.1 and 20691, Government Code. Research Note: See Oden v. Public Employees' Retirement System (1994) 23 Cal.App.4th 194 [28 Cal.Rptr.2d 388]; City of Sacramento v. Public Employees' Retirement System (1991) 237 Cal.App.3d 1470 [280 Cal.Rptr. 847]; City of Fremont v. Board of Administration (1989) 219 Cal.App.3d 1026 [263 Cal.Rptr. 164]; Guelfi v. Marin County Employees' Retirement Association (1983) 145 Cal.App.3d 297 [193 Cal.Rptr. 343]; Rose v. City of Hayward (1981) 126 Cal.App.3d 926 [179 Cal.Rptr. 287]; Santa Monica P.O.A. v. Bd. of Admin. Public Employees' Retirement System (1978) 69 Cal.App.3d 96 [137 Cal.Rptr.771].
2. Certificate of Compliance as to 7-5-94 order transmitted to OAL 10-28-94; disapproved by OAL and order of repeal as to 7-5-94 order filed on 12-14-94 (Register 94, No. 50).
3. New section refiled 12-15-94 as an emergency, with amendments; operative 12-15-94 (Register 94, No. 50). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 4-14-95 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 12-15-94 order including amendments transmitted to OAL 4-11-95 and filed 5-23-95 (Register 95, No. 21).
5. Amendment of subsections (a)-(a)(1), new subsections (a)(1)(A)-(F) and amendment of Note filed 9-22-99; operative 10-22-99 (Register 99, No. 39).
6. Amendment of subsection (a)(5) filed 5-22-2002; operative 6-21-2002 (Register 2002, No. 21).
7. Amendment of subsection (b)(1), new subsections (b)(1)(A)-(F) and amendment of Note filed 7-11-2011; operative 8-10-2011 (Register 2011, No. 28).
8. Change without regulatory effect amending Note filed 9-22-2011 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2011, No. 38).