California Code, Government Code - GOV § 22970.13

“Compensation” means the total amount paid to an employee for a plan year as required to be reported on the employee's Internal Revenue Service form W-2 for income tax withholding purposes. This amount shall include employee contributions picked up by the employer under paragraph (2) of subsection (h) of Section 414 of Title 26 of the United States Code; and any amounts deducted by the employer from the participant's salary, including deductions for tax-deferred retirement plans or insurance programs; deductions for participation in a tax-sheltered annuity within the meaning of Section 403(b) of Title 26 of the United States Code; deductions for participation in an eligible deferred compensation plan within the meaning of Section 457 of Title 26 of the United States Code; and deductions for participation in a plan that meets the requirements of Section l25 or subsection (k) of Section 401 of Title 26 of the United States Code.