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Retirement Incentive Program

ACUSD 2026–2027 Certificated Supplemental Retirement Incentive Program

A Rewarding Transition for Your Years of Dedicated Service

Amador County Unified School District is pleased to offer a one-time Supplemental Retirement Incentive for eligible 1.0 FTE certificated teachers retiring effective June 30, 2027. Receive up to 60% of your annualized base salary paid in equal monthly installments over five years.

  • Incentive Value: Up to 60% of final annualized base salary.
  • Payment Duration: Paid in 60 equal monthly disbursements over five (5) years (July 2027 through June 2032).
  • Effective Retirement Date: June 30, 2027.
  • Participant Limit: Capped at twenty (20) eligible employees (selected by HR receipt timestamp).

Incentive Program Forms & Information

Program Deadlines & Submission Tiers

Submission Tier

Incentive Percentage

Submission Window & Deadline

Tier 1 Incentive

60% of Base Salary

On or before Monday, December 21, 2026, by 4:00 PM

Tier 2 Incentive

50% of Base Salary

December 21, 2026 (4:01 PM) to Friday, February 5, 2027, by 4:00 PM

Absolute Cutoff

0% (Ineligible)

After February 5, 2027, at 4:00 PM

 

Detailed Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the program, certificated employees must satisfy all four criteria as of June 30, 2027:

  1. Age Requirement: Must be at least fifty-five (55) years of age on or before June 30, 2027.
  2. ACUSD District Cumulative Service: Must have completed at least ten (10) full years of cumulative certificated assignments with ACUSD as of June 30, 2027.
  3. Current Assignment FTE: Must be assigned to a 1.0 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) certificated teacher assignment for the 2026–2027 school year.
  4. Retirement & Agreement Execution: Must submit a formal binding notice of retirement effective June 30, 2027, concurrently with the Individual Incentive Agreement & General Release Package.

Incentive Calculation Guidelines & Sample Illustration

  • Base Salary Rate: Calculated strictly on the teacher's annualized base salary rate on the certificated salary schedule as of January 1, 2027.
  • Excluded Earnings: Excludes stipends, extra-duty pay, department chair pay, athletic coaching, and summer school earnings.
  • Negotiated Salary Adjustments: Any retroactive salary schedule increase finalized between ACUSD and ACTA for 2026–2027 that applies to the January 1, 2027 rate will be incorporated.

Sample Calculation (Based on Column 6, Step 25 — $120,832 Base Salary)

  • Tier 1 (60% Incentive - Submitted by Dec 21, 2026, 4:00 PM):
    • Total Incentive: $120,832 times 60% = $72,499
    • Monthly Disbursement (60 months): $72,499 / 60 = $1,208 per month
  • Tier 2 (50% Incentive - Submitted by Feb 5, 2027, 4:00 PM):
    • Total Incentive: $120,832 times 50% = $60,416
    • Monthly Disbursement (60 months): $60,416 / 60 = $1007 per month

Payment Channels & Tax-Deferred Contribution Options

Participants may select one or a combination of three distribution options for their 60 monthly payments:

  • Option A: Direct Cash Payroll Installments
    • Distributed through standard monthly District payroll.
    • Subject to state and federal payroll tax withholdings (reported on Form W-2).
  • Option B: Tax-Deferred 403(b) Employer Non-Elective Contributions
    • Direct employer non-elective contributions to an approved tax-sheltered annuity.
    • Defers federal and state income taxes during the 5-year payout period.
    • Requires active registration with ACUSD Third-Party Administrator (TPA), SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, prior to June 30, 2027.
  • Option C: Tax-Deferred 457(b) Employer Non-Elective Contributions
    • Direct employer non-elective contributions to an approved governmental deferred compensation plan.
    • Utilizes separate IRC §457(b) statutory annual contribution limits.
    • Requires active registration with SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union prior to June 30, 2027.
  • Dual Limit Tax Strategy: IRS regulations allow simultaneous utilization of both 403(b) and 457(b) limits, enabling higher annual tax-deferred contributions.
  • TPA Processing Lag: Payments remitted on end-of-month payroll dates may take 5 to 7 business days to post into individual provider accounts.

Step-by-Step Application Instructions

  1. Download the Official Forms:
    1. Individual Retirement Incentive Program Package Overview
    2. ACUSD Retirement Letter Notice (Due upon submission)
    3. Retirement Incentive and General Release Agreement (Due upon submission)
    4. Retirement Incentive Beneficiary Designation (Due June 30, 2027)
    5. Exhibit A: OWBPA Group Disclosure Notice
  2. Execute Retirement Letter & Incentive Agreement:
    • Complete formal written ACUSD Retirement Letter Notice effective June 30, 2027.
    • Complete and sign the Individual Incentive Agreement & General Release.
  3. Submit Package to HR:
    • In-Person: ACUSD HR Department, 217 Rex Ave, Jackson, CA 95642.
    • Email: HumanResources@acusd.org.
  4. Complete Beneficiary & TPA Setup:
    • Email Beneficiary Form to payroll@acusd.org by June 30, 2027.
    • Set up SchoolsFirst FCU TPA accounts if selecting Option B or Option C.

SchoolsFirst Retirement Planning Meetings Available

As our Third Party Administrator for 403(b) and 457(b) plans, SchoolsFirst will be available to discuss a holistic review of your retirement planning options and things to consider with regard to this retirement incentive. They are able to provide you with a CalSTRS estimate and with other relevant information to help you make an informed decision on your retirement options.

  • Contact Information:
    • David Roeder, Financial Representative, SchoolsFirst Retirement Planning
    • Phone: (800) 462-8328 ext. 4116 opt. 1 | Fax: (714) 258-4051
    • Email: droeder@schoolsfirstfcu.org
  • Virtual Appointments
    • You can schedule a virtual appointment today here: https://planningappointments.schoolsfirstfcu.org/s/DavidRoeder
  • In-Person Meetings
    • SchoolsFirst will be on-hand and available for one on one meetings here at the District Office on the following Date and Times:
      • Wednesday, November 18th - 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
      • Wednesday, December 2nd - 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
      • Wednesday, December 16th - 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
      • A scheduling page will be available soon to make your appointment for these in-person sessions.

Trust for Retirees of Associated California Schools (TRACS)

TRACS was established to help bridge the gap in healthcare costs after you retire. By accruing contributions during your active employment, you build a balance that helps pay your insurance premiums later in life. Visit this page to understand your "Benefit Calculation" and how to access your funds upon retirement.

Visit TRACS Page

Key Policy Rules, Pension Impact & Legal Disclosures

  • CalSTRS & CalPERS Creditable Compensation Exclusion:
    • Under California Education Code and Government Code Sections 20636/20636.1, incentive payments are legally defined as non-creditable compensation.
    • Payments will NOT be reported as earnings to CalSTRS or CalPERS and will NOT increase monthly retirement allowance calculations.
  • 20-Participant Selection Cap & Tiebreaker:
    • Participation is limited to twenty (20) eligible employees.
    • If more than 20 eligible applications are received, selection order is determined strictly by the HR receipt timestamp.
  • OWBPA Statutory Rights & Revocation Window:
    • 45-Day Review Period: Employees are provided 45 calendar days from the November 5, 2026 announcement to evaluate the package.
    • 7-Day Revocation Window: Employees retain the absolute right to revoke the agreement in writing within seven (7) calendar days of signing.
  • Beneficiary Designation & IRS Transition Rule:
    • Form Submission Deadline: Beneficiary forms must be submitted to HR/Payroll no later than June 30, 2027.
    • Deceased Retiree Rule: In the event of a retiree's death before receiving all 60 payments, IRS rules mandate that 403(b)/457(b) contributions cease. Remaining payments transition automatically to direct taxable cash payments to the designated beneficiary, reported annually on IRS Form 1099-MISC (Box 3 - IRD).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Q: Will this retirement incentive increase my CalSTRS monthly pension check?
    • A: No. Incentive payments are non-creditable compensation under California law and do not affect monthly pension benefit calculations.
  • Q: What happens if I miss the February 5, 2027 deadline?
    • A: Applications received after 4:00 PM on February 5, 2027, are ineligible for incentive consideration.
  • Q: Can I revoke my agreement after submitting it?
    • A: Yes. You have seven (7) calendar days following signature to deliver written notice of revocation to ACUSD HR.
  • Q: How do I set up 403(b) or 457(b) contributions?
    • A: Accounts must be established through ACUSD's TPA, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, prior to June 30, 2027.

Department Contact Details