Considering Leaving Your CalPERS or CalSTRS Job?

Get a clear financial roadmap before you leap—from someone who's already made it.

Schedule your discovery call

You're a mid-career California public sector worker with a burning question: What if I just…walked away?

You're feeling burned out, underpaid, or just ready for something different. But every time you think about resigning, the questions flood in:

  • What happens to my pension?

  • Can I afford to lose these benefits?

  • Am I walking away from too much?

  • What if this is a huge mistake?

For questions like this, you don't need a 40-page financial plan. You need clarity on the one big decision in front of you right now, so you can decide whether staying or leaving is the right choice.

We'll meet twice over 3-4 weeks:

Session 1: We'll discuss your situation, what you're considering, and identify two scenarios to model.

Between sessions: I'll run your CalPERS/CalSTRS scenarios, compare total compensation, and create your personalized roadmap.

Session 2: We'll review your numbers, cover health insurance options, and walk through your roadmap so you can make this decision with confidence.

You'll walk away with:

  • Retirement tradeoffs: Staying vs. leaving, rollovers or leave in place?

  • Total compensation comparison: What you're really earning now vs. what you'd need to match it

  • Health insurance options: COBRA, Covered California, employer plans

  • 1-page financial roadmap with your now/soon/later action steps

  • Clarity and confidence on your personal decision

Investment: $1,800

Two focused sessions (45 minutes each) + 1 page roadmap

Get started
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Why Work With Me?

I've Been Exactly Where You Are

I spent years as a California legislative analyst, specializing in state pension policy. Every week I’d be contacted by people with questions about their CalPERS and CalSTRS pensions and government benefits.

And then I left.

Here's the thing — this was my second career change. I moved from education into public policy to address the unmet needs I saw in the classroom. I know what it’s like to walk away from a stable government job, a pension, and the identity that comes with public service. I know the guilt, the "what ifs," and the fear that you're making a terrible financial mistake.

I also know how to run the numbers and how to help you make this decision with clarity instead of anxiety.

Now, as a CFP® professional, I help public sector employees navigate the exact transition I made myself. Whether you're vested or not, burned out or just curious, I'll help you model what leaving (or staying) actually looks like.

Who This Is For

This is for you if:

✅ You're a California public sector employee (state, county, city, teacher, social worker, professor, etc.) with a CalPERS or CalSTRS pension


✅ You're considering leaving but worried about your pension/benefits


✅ You're vested (or close) and don't want to "waste" what you've built


✅ You want to model the real financial impact before you decide


✅ You're tired of Googling or getting conflicting opinions on Reddit and want expert guidance

This is NOT for you if:

❌ You're 100% sure you're leaving or staying in the public sector

❌ You want someone to tell you what to do rather than help you make your own informed decision

Sound like you? let's talk

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Absolutely. Everything we discuss is completely confidential. I'm not affiliated with your employer, HR, or CalPERS/CalSTRS in any way — I work only for you.

    As a fiduciary, I'm legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest and protect your privacy.

  • No. Many clients are "exploring" and want to understand their options before making a move out of the public sector.

  • Even better. The goal is clarity, not convincing you either way. Sometimes the answer is "stay,” and that's okay.

  • I specialize in CalPERS and CalSTRS, but the framework applies to other public sector pensions.

    I've worked with people in the federal retirement system (FERS) and the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas. If you’re in a different pension system, let's talk; I can likely still help.

  • I can still help you optimize what's next, but this service is designed for before you make the decision.

  • Absolutely. We'll model what happens if you leave now versus staying until you're vested.

  • I'll send you a short questionnaire beforehand. You'll also want to gather: your most recent CalPERS/CalSTRS benefit statement, other retirement account statements, information about your current salary and benefits, and any job offers or salary ranges you're considering (if applicable).

  • If after our sessions you realize you want comprehensive ongoing planning, we can absolutely explore that.

    But this service is designed to give you clarity on this specific transition first—no strings attached.

    Not sure which is right for you? Book a free intro call and we'll figure it out together.

  • If after our session you'd like comprehensive ongoing planning, we can absolutely explore that.

    But this standalone service is designed to give you clarity on this one big decision first, no strings attached.