Very good point. Yes, California does consider retirement benefits to be community property. Community property rights only accrue from the date of marriage. So, if your husband was employed and receiving pension benefits before your marriage, there would be some pro-rating involved. In that case, best to see a professional to sort it all out. But yes, if you were a CA resident when your community share was received, your portion would be taxable by CA.
**Answers are correct to the best of my ability but do not constitute tax or legal advice.
