# California state employee compensation and pension policy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/california-state-employee-compensation-and-pension-policy > Updated: 2026-08-31T14:49:24.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Public records and legislative developments have highlighted high compensation levels and pension policy changes within California state government. Data indicates that approximately 250 state employees earned more than $600,000 in total compensation. The highest-paid individual was Stephen Gilmore, the Chief Investment Officer at the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), who received approximately $2.3 million, including over $1.5 million in ‘other pay’ or performance incentives. Other high earners include CalPERS officials Arnold B. Phillips, Daniel Bienvenue, and Marcie Frost, as well as staff psychiatrists within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In addition to compensation disclosures, the California State Legislature has moved to expand benefits for first responders through Assembly Bill 1383. The bill, which awaits the Governor’s signature, proposes allowing police and firefighters to retire with full benefits at age 55 rather than 57. It also seeks to increase the maximum annual pension accrual rate from 2.7% to 3% and raise the retirement income cap for high-earning public employees. These developments occur as CalPERS reports $637 billion in assets against $716 billion in liabilities. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: California state payroll and pension benefit updates California state records show high compensation for select employees, including a $2.3 million payout for a CalPERS executive, as lawmakers pass a bill to expand pension benefits for first responders. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-state-payroll-and-pension-benefit-updates ### 2026-08-24: California state employees earn high compensation in pension and prison sectors Records show California’s highest-paid state employees are pension managers, law enforcement, and correctional staff, with CalPERS officials earning millions through salary and ‘other pay’. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-state-employees-earn-high-compensation-in-pension-and-prison-sectors --- Cite as: California state employee compensation and pension policy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/california-state-employee-compensation-and-pension-policy