CalSTRS calls these your benefit structure. It sets your normal retirement age, your age factors and a few extras. Your first hire date mostly decides it.
California specificsShort answer: CalSTRS 2% at 62 if you were first hired to perform service that could be credited to the Defined Benefit Program on or after January 1, 2013; otherwise usually CalSTRS 2% at 60. Handbook p. 18, Your benefit structure Under CalSTRS 2% at 60 you get 2% at 60; under CalSTRS 2% at 62, at 62. The full tables are on age factor, and retiring sooner on early retirement. Enter your first hire date in the calculator and it picks your structure.
The quick answer
2% at 60
Were first hired to perform service that could be credited to the Defined Benefit Program on or before December 31, 2012.
Were CalSTRS members before 2013, terminated their membership and then returned to active membership on or after January 1, 2013.
Performed service that could be credited to the Defined Benefit Program and were subject to coverage under a different retirement system, including Social Security, on or before December 31, 2012.
Were members of a concurrent retirement system on or before December 31, 2012, and who performed service under that system within six months of becoming a CalSTRS member.
Handbook p. 18, Your benefit structure
2% at 62
Were first hired to perform service that could be credited to the Defined Benefit Program on or after January 1, 2013.
Handbook p. 18, Your benefit structure
"Normal retirement age" is the age when your age factor reaches 2%: 60 or 62. You can retire earlier, with a lower age factor. Your Retirement Progress Report in myCalSTRS shows your structure.
Side by side
CalSTRS 2% at 60
Normal retirement age
60Handbook p. 133, Glossary: Normal retirement age
Earliest retirement
Age 55 with at least five years of service credit. Or: Age 50 with at least 30 years of service credit.Handbook p. 20, Eligibility for benefits
Age factor
1.1% at 50 · 2% at 60 · 2.4% at 63Handbook p. 78, Age factor tables: Age factor: CalSTRS 2% at 60
Final compensation
25 or more years of service credit: highest average annual compensation earnable during any 12 consecutive months. Fewer than 25 years (and not an eligible classroom teacher with a collectively bargained 12 consecutive month final compensation): highest average annual compensation earnable during any 36 consecutive months.Handbook p. 63, Final compensation
Career factor
+0.2% with 30+ years (up to 2.4%)Handbook p. 79, Career factor
Longevity bonus
$200 / $300 / $400 a month (30 / 31 / 32+ years by Dec. 31, 2010)Handbook p. 67, Longevity bonus
Reduced Benefit Election
Yes, from 55 to under 60Handbook p. 45, Reduced Benefit Election
Your contribution (2025-26)
10.25% of creditable compensationHandbook p. 21, Contributions
Pay cap (2025-26)
$350,000 (if you joined on or after July 1, 1996)Handbook p. 122, Compensation cap under IRC and California Education Code
CalSTRS 2% at 62
Normal retirement age
62Handbook p. 133, Glossary: Normal retirement age
Earliest retirement
Age 55 with five years of service credit. Not eligible for retirement at age 50 with 30 years.Handbook p. 20, Eligibility for benefits
Age factor
1.16% at 55 · 2% at 62 · 2.4% at 65Handbook p. 79, Age factor: CalSTRS 2% at 62
Final compensation
Highest average annual compensation earnable during any 36 consecutive months; not eligible for one-year final compensation.Handbook p. 63, Final compensation
Career factor
NoHandbook p. 79, Career factor
Longevity bonus
NoHandbook p. 18, Your benefit structure
Reduced Benefit Election
NoHandbook p. 18, Your benefit structure
Your contribution (2025-26)
10.205% of creditable compensationHandbook p. 21, Contributions
Pay cap (2025-26)
$187,369Handbook p. 122, Compensation cap under IRC and California Education Code
What the handbook says
CalSTRS has two benefit structures: CalSTRS 2% at 60 and CalSTRS 2% at 62.p. 18, Your benefit structure
You're in 2% at 60 if you were first hired to do work that could be credited to the Defined Benefit Program on or before December 31, 2012.p. 18, Your benefit structure
You're also in 2% at 60 if you were a CalSTRS member before 2013 and came back on or after January 1, 2013; if you did creditable work covered by another retirement system (including Social Security) on or before December 31, 2012; or if you were in a concurrent retirement system by December 31, 2012 and worked under it within six months of joining CalSTRS.p. 18, Your benefit structure
You're in 2% at 62 if you were first hired to do work creditable to the Defined Benefit Program on or after January 1, 2013.p. 18, Your benefit structure
Your annual Retirement Progress Report (in myCalSTRS) shows which structure you're in.p. 9, CalSTRS programs at a glance
2% at 62 members don't get the benefit enhancements (career factor, one-year final compensation, longevity bonus), the Reduced Benefit Election or the Replacement Benefits Program.p. 18, Your benefit structure
If you take a refund and later come back, you're still in 2% at 60 if you were first hired before January 1, 2013.p. 25, If you return to CalSTRS membership after taking a refund
Members contribute 10.25% of creditable compensation (2% at 60) or 10.205% (2% at 62) in 2025-26. Employers contribute 19.10%, and the state 8.328% plus about 2.5% for purchasing power protection.p. 9, CalSTRS programs at a glance
Questions
How do I know if I'm 2% at 60 or 2% at 62?
It mostly comes down to when you were first hired to do work that could count toward the CalSTRS Defined Benefit Program: by Dec. 31, 2012 means 2% at 60, Jan. 1, 2013 or later means 2% at 62. Some people hired later stay in 2% at 60. Your Retirement Progress Report in myCalSTRS shows your structure.
Can I switch structures?
The handbook ties your structure to your hire date and the cases listed on p. 18. It doesn't describe a way to choose.