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Merit Award Program 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards

​​The 25-Year Service and Retirement Awards program was established by the Legislature to recognize state employees who have completed 25 years or more of state service. There are two types of awards - the Service Award and the Retirement Award. The Service Award recognizes employees who have completed 25 years of state service. The Retirement Award recognizes retiring employees who have completed 25 years or more of state service.

  • Departments may purchase mementos for eligible employees directly from State Price Schedule service provider, MTM Recognition. Contact information below. 
  • State employees with questions about purchasing awards or their service and retirement award status should contact their Human Resources Office.
  • Human Resources professionals may contact CalHR at (916) 322-1360 for additional information.

​25-Yea​​​r Service Award

The appointing power may present a certificate, plaque, or other suitable memento to state employees with 25 years of completed state service.  The cost may not exceed $125.

25-Year Retirement Award

A retiring state employee with at least 25 years of service may receive a 25-Year Retirement Award.  Departments may make a presentation to a retiring employee who, on the date of their retirement, has completed 25 or more years of state service. The cost may not exceed $125.

Additional Information

As of February 1, 2017, MTM Recognition is the State Price Schedule service provider. Departments may utilize their Core Item and Non-Core Item catalogues to fulfill procurement orders.

​Gift Catalogs and Contract Information

On Cal eProcuresearch MTM Recognition using Contract ID “2-21-84-14A".

To request any additional state price schedule service provider documents, please contact the CalHR Merit Award Program Manager.​

​MTM Reco​gnition 

  • http://awards.mtmrecognition.com/california
  • Enter the site by clicking on the “guest” button.
  • To access “Core” awards, click on the “25-Year” and “Retirement” links on the left of the page below the “Core” heading.
  • To access “Non-Core” awards, click on the collection links (“Level I” through “Level V”) on the left of the page below the “Non-Core” heading.
  • For questions or concerns with MTM Recognition:
    Bryan Mular, Customer Care Associate
    bmular@mtmrecognition.com | (877) 495-1011

​Non-Core, Higher Cost Items

At the department's discretion, employees may purchase a gift that is a non-core item, including those above the $125 threshold from the service providers.  The State of California will be responsible for the first $125 (plus the tax on $125).  The employee is responsible for the balance.  At the time of order, it is the employee's responsibility to pay anything above and beyond the $125 plus tax.  No order will be officially placed until the employee's portion is paid in full.  The state's portion of the payment will be standard state terms.

​Frequently Asked Questions

Can an employee who has completed 25 years of state service and plans on retiring, regardless of the time period between the two events, receive both a 25-Year Service Award and a 25-Year Retirement Award?

Yes. There is nothing in the current law that indicates an employee must choose between the 25 years of state service and the retirement award.

Can a retiring employee who has completed 25 years of state service combine the 25-Year Service Award and the 25-Year Retirement Award and purchase a $250 gift?

No. These are two separate award programs. 

Can an employee receive the appropriated $125 in cash?

No.  The law states "a certificate, plaque, or other suitable memento."  Cash is not considered a "suitable memento" since the definition of memento is "a reminder or a souvenir."

Does a department have to purchase a gift from the State Price Schedule service providers?

No, it is not mandatory to purchase a gift from the State Price Schedule service providers.

Can an employee who is retiring and does not have 25 years of service purchase a retirement award at their own expense?

No. This award is in recognition of 25 years or more of state service. 

Can an employee with 23 years of state service qualify for a 25-Year Service/Retirement Award if they previously purchased two years of service credit for retirement purposes?

No. Service Awards are based on qualifying months of state service.  

If an employee transfers to a new department, can they still receive a 25-Year Service Award from the new department?

Yes. The new department would provide the 25-year award.

What is the difference between the core items and the non-core items?

The core items are those most commonly purchased by agencies for their employees and include watches, clocks, vases, etc.  Some of the service providers offer additional, or "non-core," gift items for purchase.  The core items do not exceed $125.  The non-core items vary in price.

Can an employee choose a gift from the non-core catalog?

Each department may establish their own internal policy for ordering service awards. Please check with your Merit Award Administrator or Human Resources office. 

If my department allows it and I choose a gift from the non-core catalog that exceeds $125, how do I pay for it?

The State of California is responsible for the first $125 (plus the tax on the $125). The employee is responsible for the balance. Employees may contact their Merit Award Administrator or Human Resources Office for further details.  

Are there time limits for purchasing retirement gifts?

There are no time restrictions in the law; departments may establish reasonable time limits for their retiring employees. 

What is the turnaround time when an award is ordered?

The normal turn-around time for MTM Recognition is three weeks. If a shorter turn-around time is required, please contact Bryan Mular.

My PERS statement shows a different amount of service time than SCO.  Why?

Service years are based on qualifying months of state service as indicated by the State Controller's Office. SCO and PERS calculate service time differently.

​Program Inquiries and Feedback

If you have any issues or concerns to report about a product purchased from the​ State Price Schedule service provider, please contact the Merit Award Program Manager at merit@calhr.ca.gov

Related Forms

 

Std. 65 - Purchasing Authority Purchase Order - PDF

 

 

CalHR-160 Non-Core Employee Payment Form - PDF

 

  Updated: 1/23/2023
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