Choose your state 50 of 50 covered
Most-read guides
- Texas (TRS) calculatorYour tier, full-benefit date, estimated check at every age, and a printable summary.
- California (CalSTRS) calculatorYour age factor, full-benefit date, estimated check at every age, and a printable summary.
- Texas: The Rule of 80Age + service = 80, and what it gets you in each tier.
- California: Age factor tableThe full CalSTRS age factor tables, month by month, and the formula.
- Texas: TRS-Care premiums by year2018 to 2027, by plan and coverage level.
- Texas: Social Security, WEP and GPOWhat the 2025 repeal means for Texas teachers.
Compare states
- Compare teacher pensions by stateSix key rules, side by side.
- States where teachers don't get Social SecurityNo, yes or varies, by state.
- Teacher DROP plans by stateWhich systems offer one.
- Teacher pension COLA by stateHow retiree raises work.
- State taxes on teacher pensionsTaxed, exempt or partly exempt.
- Teacher pension multiplier by statePercent per year of service.
- Teacher retirement age by stateWhen a full pension starts.
How teacher pensions are calculated
Almost every state uses the same shape of formula: a percentage × your years of service × your average salary. The percentage is called the multiplier, benefit factor or age factor. The average salary is usually your highest-paid three or five years. What changes from state to state, and often by the year you were hired, is the percentage, how many years are averaged, and the age (or the "Rule of 80"-style sum of age plus service) at which the benefit is no longer cut for retiring early. Each state's calculator applies its own rules and cites the page they come from.
Common questions
Is this an official pension calculator?
No. This is an independent site, not affiliated with any state retirement system. Each state's official estimate comes from its retirement system, usually through your member account.
How is a teacher pension calculated?
Most state teacher pensions multiply a percentage (the multiplier or age factor) by your years of service and your average salary over your highest-paid years. The percentage, the number of years averaged, and the age you can retire with a full benefit differ by state and by when you were hired. Pick your state to see its rules.
Do teachers get Social Security?
It depends on the state and the district. Many teachers in Texas, California and some other states don't pay into Social Security in their school job. The Social Security Fairness Act (January 2025) repealed the WEP and GPO, which used to cut those teachers' Social Security benefits from other work.