Okay.  Now there seemed to be a question.

In January 1996, President Ain't-it-cool-playing-Sax-on-SNL signed a so-called Source Income Law.  Since then, CA no longer could tax former residents on their retirement income sourced from their prior CA earnings.   

If there was CA withholding on the 1099-R, one way is to file a CA NR return and claim the 1099-R income as non-CA source.  Perhaps attach a note.

@George4Tacks 's post was about his trade secret in defending a former CA resident from being classified as a resident despite the ties.  It would be useful to know IF CA challenged the filing as a NR - probably Step 10. 

Step 1, file a NR CA return and claim the refund.  Wait for Step 10, if it happened.