Retiree ID (Perks & Discounts)

Get these great discounts and access to perks with your retiree ID- Available for UCB, LBNL, and UCOP retirees!

To take advantage of special Cal Connection (access or discounts to campus services and departments) arranged by UCBRC, you must use a retiree ID card that identifies you as retired staff (including UCB, LBNL, and UCOP), retired faculty or their surviving spouse or partner.

How to request a Retiree ID Card: Request a Retiree ID card by completing this form (fastest), or by calling (510) 642-5461. Please email ucbrc@berkeley.edu with any questions. 

Library Privileges for Retirees

How to Activate your Library Account

There are two ways to activate a library account, online or in-person. However activating your account online will only allow you to access remote library resources. If you want to check out physical material from the libraries, or if you want a physical library card, you will need to visit the Privileges Desk on the first floor of the Doe Library.

How to Activate your Library Account Online

  1. First request a Retire ID card from the UC Berkeley Retirement Center by emailing us at UCBRC@berkeley.edu or calling us at (510) 642-5461, and verify your mailing address.
  2. Once you have your Retiree ID card, send a photo of it along with your full name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number to privdesk@library.berkeley.edu to initiate a library account.

You will be issued a temporary library card number which allows you to set up an online account in order to access electronic resources remotely. You will not be able to access physical library resources this way. To access physical library resources you will need to activate your account in person (see directions below).

How to Activate your Library Account In-Person

  1. First request a Retire ID card from the UC Berkeley Retirement Center by emailing us at UCBRC@berkeley.edu or calling us at (510) 642-5461, and verify your mailing address.
  2. Once you have your Retiree ID card, visit the Privileges Desk on the first floor of the Doe Library. Present them with both your Retiree ID card and a government-issued photo ID.

You will be issued a physical Library Card and will be able to access physical library resources as well as online resources.

Happy retiree with ID Card

Campus Discounts

20/20 Vision Plan at University Eye Center
As a retiree you and your designated beneficiary are eligible for the 20/20 Vision Plan. Receive 20% off of all services including exams and ophthalmic materials (such as spectacles, contact lenses, or low vision devices) when you present your retiree ID.

As a member of the plan you also receive a complimentary glasses case when spectacles are dispensed. Parking is $3 for three hours for all patients. For more information, please visit eyecare.berkeley.edu. To make an appointment, please call (510) 642-2020. Be sure to identify yourself as a 20/20 Vision Plan member. *Where applicable, insurance will be billed first. 

UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive
Enjoy free admission to the BAMPFA Galleries with your retiree ID. BAMPFA also offers retiree cardholders a discounted $10 ticket price for BAMPFA film programs (not valid for special programs). Retirees can come in on any open day and get these benefits by showing their Retiree ID card at the front desk, or when purchasing online through the Advanced Ticketing page by selecting the UCB Faculty/Staff price type. Find out more online: bampfa.berkeley.edu.

Cal Athletics Season Tickets at Staff Rates  
Receive the staff rate on all season-ticket purchases for intercollegiate athletic sports, including Football, Men’sBasketball, Women’s Basketball and Women's Volleyball. Offer not valid for individual game tickets. Call the Athletic Ticket Office (800) GO-BEARS for details.

Cal Student Store Discount 
The Cal Student store will honor a 10% discount to retirees who show their retiree ID card on Clothing and Gift items (not including graduation items or text books basically). See what's available at the Cal Student Store's website.

Music Department Discount
The Department of Music is delighted to offer you the same discount on events that it offers to current staff and other special categories. Unless otherwise noted, tickets to weekend and evening concerts will be $12 (regularly $16) with your retiree ID card. Concerts include performances by the University Symphony Orchestra, University Chorus and Chamber Chorus, Indonesian Gamelan, University Wind Ensemble and the University Gospel Chorus as well as by other groups. Noon concerts and some special events are free to the general public, and retirees can avail themselves of these as well. See concert schedules at music.berkeley.edu.

UC Press Discount

University of California Press is pleased to offer our retirees a 30% discount on books ordered online. To get the discount, place your order online at ucpress.edu and enter the code UCPSAVE30 in the discount code box in the online shopping cart. This discount does not apply to e-books. 

Return to top

Discounted Memberships

Ashby Village
Ashby Village is an East Bay member organization that harnesses the power of a peer-to-peer approach to connect older adults with enriching events and classes, essential services, and meaningful volunteer opportunities so each of us can age healthier together where we call home. Ashby Village is an inclusive community of caring members and volunteers who design and deliver our own programming and services, drawing upon our talent, lived experience, and wisdom.

Many Ashby Village members and volunteers are Cal retirees. UCB, LBNL, and UCOP retirees receive 10% off on the first year membership. To access this discount and find out about membership, please email info@ashbyvillage.org and attach a copy of your UCB Retiree ID card. You can also call at 510-204-9200 or visit Ashby Village's website to learn about membership and volunteer opportunities. 

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
Retirees of UCB, LBNL and UCOP can receive a discounted Affiliate Membership to the garden with a Retiree ID card. Affiliate memberships are discounted from the regular rate

UCB Individual - $60 for one year/ $110 for two years 

UCB Family – $80 one year / $135 two year

  • Unlimited free admission for two specified adults (two cardholders) and up to four children under age 18 during regular Garden hours

  • Four free one-time guest passes (for general admission only)
  • Members-only events and tours

  • Exclusive mailings of the annual Garden Newsletter

  • Discounts on classes and  workshops
  • Priority access to summer camp registration and the Redwood Grove Concert Series
  • 10% discount in The Garden Shop and Plant Deck

  • Reciprocal privileges with nearly 360 gardens, arboreta and conservatories throughout North America and the Cayman Islands
  • 100% tax deductible and much more!

Go to http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/join/ or by contacting Membership Specialist, Audrey Pizza at 510-643-1924.

Berkeley Recreation & Wellbeing (formerly Cal Rec Club)
Those on retiree status may join the Cal Rec Club for $60 per month with a 4-month minimum commitment or an annual rate of $720. Learn more about membership by visiting: recsports.berkeley.edu/memberships

The Faculty Club
The Faculty Club is pleased to offer you membership at the Professor Emeritus rate of $21 per month upon presentation of your retiree ID card. Call the Faculty Club at 510-540-5678 for more information.

Farmers Auto and Home Insurance
UC Berkeley is proud to introduce retirees to an opportunity to access discounted auto and home insurance from Farmers GroupSelectSM. Farmers GroupSelect can help you compare savings on auto, home, and renter's insurance using Farmers Insurance ChoiceSM. Farmers Insurance Choice is a powerful tool that gives you access to multiple quotes from top carriers, so you can choose the auto, home, and renter's insurance for your individual needs.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of this retiree benefit, call Farmers GroupSelect at 1-866-700-3113, or farmersinsurancechoice.com/EY7 to go get your quotes today. 

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute @ Berkeley 
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI @Berkeley), an association of adults age 50 and above, offers courses, lectures, and special events. Retirees receive $10 off membership in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Find out about membership options at: https://olli.berkeley.edu/membership-types. For information contact OLLI @Berkeley at (510) 642-9934 or berkeley_olli@berkeley.edu.

Women’s Faculty Club (WFC) 
Join the WFC as an Associate Member. New memberships include a complimentary six months with the purchase of a full-year membership of $90. (The $25 initiation fee is also waived.) Call the WFC at (510)845-5084 or download an application form at http://www.womensfacultyclub.com.

Return to top