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Find your schedule
From your membership date and your service on July 1, 2005, Sept. 30, 2009 and June 30, 2012, we work out which of the eight schedules you're on. If you don't enter the service at those dates, we assume full-time, unbroken service from your membership date.
Handbook, p. 17, Eligible Retirement Age (schedules for teachers) - 2
Project your service
We add the time from today to your retirement date to the service you enter, one year per year, unless you tell us you've left teaching.
Our assumption - 3
Add up your accrual
Years before July 2012 use the Schedule A or B rates for your schedule; later years earn 1% (2% from July 2015 with 20+ years in 2012). We cap the total at your 80% or 75% maximum.
Handbook, p. 19, Retirement Benefit Amounts (accrual chart); R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-13(a)-(c) - 4
Find your full-pension date
The earliest of: your pre-2012 eligibility date, your Social Security full retirement age (from SSA's chart, capped at 67), your scaled-back age, or the Rule of 95.
Handbook, p. 17, Eligible Retirement Age; Handbook, p. 18, Rule of 95; Transition Rules; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-12(c), (d) - 5
Apply any early cut
Retiring up to 5 years early with 20+ years of service cuts the pension 9% to 38% for life (Transition Rule 1).
Handbook, p. 18, Early Retirement Reduction ('Year(s) from full retirement / Percent Reduction / Cumulative Reduction'); R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-12(c)(iii) (monthly column) - 6
Show payment options and the COLA
Option #1 and #2 use the handbook's Appendix D percentages. The COLA card uses the latest published rate and cap.
Handbook, p. 44, Appendix D (Younger Beneficiary Chart; Older Beneficiary Chart)
What the calculator doesn't cover
- Your actual salary history. We use the highest average salary you enter. ERSRI figures it from your records.
- Transition Rule 2 (retiring on your 2012 date with a frozen pension). The guides explain it with ERSRI's example.
- SRA PLUS amounts, disability pensions, and service purchases still being paid off.
- Taxes, health premiums or other deductions from your check.
- Your official schedule and eligibility date: ERSRI's member portal shows those.
How we check the math
The calculator runs on a small engine that reads every rule from one data file, with a cite for each rule. Automated tests check it against the worked examples in the handbook, the Treasurer's guide, ERSRI's COLA page and ERSRI's 2012 guide. They run every time the site is built. See which schedule am I? and the benefit formula for the rules in plain English.
| Worked example | Source | Our engine | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of 95: age 62 with 33 years | Full pension | Full pension | Handbook, p. 18, Rule of 95 examples Match |
| Rule of 95: age 63 with 32 years | Full pension | Full pension | Handbook, p. 18, Rule of 95 examples Match |
| Rule of 95: age 64 with 31 years | Full pension | Full pension | Handbook, p. 18, Rule of 95 examples Match |
| Rule of 95: age 65 with 30 years | Full pension | Full pension | Handbook, p. 18, Rule of 95 examples Match |
| Early cut, 1 year | 9% | 9% | Handbook, p. 18, Early Retirement Reduction ('Year(s) from full retirement / Percent Reduction / Cumulative Reduction') Match |
| Early cut, 2 years | 17% | 17% | Handbook, p. 18, Early Retirement Reduction ('Year(s) from full retirement / Percent Reduction / Cumulative Reduction') Match |
| Early cut, 3 years | 24% | 24% | Handbook, p. 18, Early Retirement Reduction ('Year(s) from full retirement / Percent Reduction / Cumulative Reduction') Match |
| Early cut, 4 years | 31% | 31% | Handbook, p. 18, Early Retirement Reduction ('Year(s) from full retirement / Percent Reduction / Cumulative Reduction') Match |
| Early cut, 5 years | 38% | 38% | Handbook, p. 18, Early Retirement Reduction ('Year(s) from full retirement / Percent Reduction / Cumulative Reduction') Match |
| Option #1 / #2, beneficiary 5 years younger | 87% / 93% | 87% / 93% | Handbook, p. 44, Appendix D (Younger Beneficiary Chart Match |
| Option #1 / #2, beneficiary 10 years younger | 84% / 91% | 84% / 91% | Handbook, p. 44, Appendix D (Younger Beneficiary Chart Match |
| Option #1 / #2, beneficiary 20 years younger | 74% / 86% | 74% / 86% | Handbook, p. 44, Appendix D (Younger Beneficiary Chart Match |
| Part-time return to work, 2/5 job | 72 days | 72 days | Handbook, p. 38, note 60 ('a 2/5 position is equal to 72 full working days (2/5 x 180 = 72)') Match |
| TSB contribution a year | $115 | $115 | Handbook, p. 20, Teacher Survivors' Benefit, note 30 Match |
| 2024 full COLA | 2.84% | 2.84% | Treasurer's Article 12 guide (July 1, 2024), pp. 4-5 Match |
| 2024 1/4 COLA | 0.71% | 0.71% | Treasurer's Article 12 guide (July 1, 2024), pp. 4-5 Match |
| 2026 1/4 COLA | 0.84% | 0.84% | ERSRI 2026 COLA Information page (saved 2026-11-12) ('the calculated COLA for 2026 is 3.34%, and 0.84% for those eligible to receive a 1/4th COLA') Match |
| 2012 example: accrued on June 30, 2012 | 51.25% | 51.25% | ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 14-15 Match |
| 2012 example: Choice 1 | $36,959.42 | $36,959.41 | ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 14-15 See note |
| 2012 example: Choice 2, before the cut | $43,128.48 | $43,128.48 | ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 14-15 Match |
| 2012 example: Choice 2, one year early | $39,246.92 | $39,246.92 | ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 14-15 Match |
| 2012 example: Choice 3 | $44,787.27 | $44,787.27 | ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 14-15 Match |
| 2012 example: Article 7 age | 60.42 | 60.42 | ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 25-27 Match |
| 2012 example: scaled-back age | 60.92 | 60.92 | ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 25-27 Match |
The 2012 guide prints $36,959.42 for Choice 1; 51.25% of $72,115.93 is $36,959.41 (a one-cent rounding difference). The 2012 examples use the law as it was in 2012 (1% a year after June 30, 2012).
Where our sources disagree
The 2020 handbook predates the 2023 and 2024 budget laws. Where it's out of date, the Treasurer's guide, ERSRI's current pages and the statute govern. Here is each disagreement and what we follow.
The 2020 handbook (p. 19, note 26), the 2012 guide (p. 18) and the 2013 valuation use the highest 5 consecutive years (3 years only for teachers eligible on Sept. 30, 2009). Article 12 (2024) made it 3 years for everyone retiring on or after July 1, 2024. The handbook predates the change, so the Treasurer's guide and statute govern.
Handbook, p. 19, note 26; Treasurer's Article 12 guide (July 1, 2024), p. 13; R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-8-1(5)(b)The 2020 handbook (pp. 15, 19) says the COLA is suspended until 80% funded with a COLA every 4 years (2017, 2021); the 2012 guide said every 5 years. Since Jan. 1, 2024 retirees after June 30, 2012 get 1/4 of the COLA every year until 75% funded, and since 2024 pre-July 2012 retirees get the full COLA. The handbook predates both laws; ERSRI's COLA pages, the Treasurer's guide and statute govern.
Handbook, p. 19, COLA; ERSRI COLA Information page (saved 2026-11-12); Treasurer's Article 12 guide (July 1, 2024), pp. 3-10; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-40(g)(2)§ 16-16-40(g)(1)(B)(I) prints 'five and one-half percent (5.5%)' but says it moves with the board's assumed return. ERSRI's COLA pages and the Treasurer use 5.00%. The engine uses 5.00%.
ERSRI COLA Information page (saved 2026-11-12); Treasurer's Article 12 guide (July 1, 2024), p. 4; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-40(g)(1)(B)(I)The handbook (p. 18) and the OPEB valuation (p. D-3) give a Rule of 95: age plus service of at least 95, not before 62. The statute (§ 16-16-12(d)) lists four exact pairs (65/30, 64/31, 63/32, 62/33), which would leave out e.g. 66 with 29 years or 62 1/2 with 32 1/2. The engine follows the handbook.
Handbook, p. 18, Rule of 95; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-12(d)(A); OPEB valuation (June 30, 2025), p. D-3The handbook (p. 35) offers SRA PLUS to Schedule A and Schedule AB members (10 years by July 1, 2005). The 2012 guide (p. 23) limited it to members 'whose benefit is under Schedule A'. The engine follows the handbook.
Handbook, p. 35, SRA PLUS and note 52; ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), p. 23; R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-10-10.3The handbook (p. 17) scales back a B1NE member's SSNRA only 'provided they have reached 10 years of contributory service'. The statute (§ 16-16-12(c)(ii)) gives the adjustment to anyone with 5 years of contributory service on June 30, 2012. The engine follows the handbook and requires 10 years of contributory service at retirement.
Handbook, p. 17, Schedule B1NE; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-12(c)(ii)The handbook (p. 17) defines Schedule B2 as members active on Oct. 1, 2009 with fewer than 5 years by June 30, 2012; the 2012 guide (p. 12) as members who joined after Sept. 30, 2009. The engine follows the handbook (a pre-2009 hire with under 5 years on June 30, 2012 is B2).
Handbook, p. 17, Schedule B2; ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), p. 12The 2020 handbook (pp. 38-39) gives an $18,000 limit for part-time state college teaching; Article 12 (2024) raised it to $25,000 (Treasurer's guide p. 17; ERSRI's current page). The handbook predates the change.
Handbook, p. 38, A Rhode Island State school, college or university; Treasurer's Article 12 guide (July 1, 2024), p. 17; ERSRI Working After Retirement page (saved 2026-11-12)The handbook (p. 39) and ERSRI's page require a 45-calendar-day break before post-retirement work; the saved statute sections (§§ 16-16-24, 36-10-36) do not mention it. The engine and pages follow ERSRI.
Handbook, p. 39, Other Restrictions; ERSRI Working After Retirement page (saved 2026-11-12); R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 16-16-24, 36-10-36For a deferred pension the handbook (p. 33) suggests contacting ERSRI 6-12 months ahead; the 2012 guide (p. 21) said 3-6 months. The pages use the handbook.
Handbook, p. 33, Deferred Retirement; ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), p. 21The handbook (p. 9) says purchased service (other than Workers' Compensation leave, active duty after June 30, 2005, and refund paybacks) does not count toward vesting; § 16-16-12(e)(3) counts purchases under § 36-9-38 toward vesting. The engine follows the handbook (purchased years are not contributory).
Handbook, p. 9, Vesting and Purchasing Service Credit; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-12(e)(3)The 2012 guide (p. 18) says every year after July 1, 2012 accrues 1%. Since the 2015 settlement, teachers with 20+ years on June 30, 2012 accrue 2% from July 1, 2015. The guide's worked example (pp. 14-15) is tested under the 2012 rule and labeled so.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-13(c)(ii); ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 14-15, 18The 2012 guide described an actuarial reduction (p. 21). The handbook (p. 18) and statute give the table 9/8/7/7/7% (cumulative 38%). The guide's example (about 9% for one year) matches year 1.
Handbook, p. 18, Early Retirement Reduction; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-12(c)(iii); ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 15, 21The 2013 valuation (pp. 49-50) says the pre-July 2012 accruals use service and FAC frozen at June 30, 2012. The handbook (p. 19) and the 2012 guide (pp. 15, 18) apply the total accrual percentage to the highest average salary at retirement. The engine follows the handbook, with the June 30, 2012 average as a floor.
Handbook, p. 19, Retirement Benefit Amounts; ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 15, 18; ERS Valuation (June 30, 2013), pp. 49-50; R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-8-1(5)(c)The guide's age examples round each step to 2 decimals (e.g. 0.91 x 5.58 = 5.08). Exact arithmetic gives slightly different ages (e.g. 60.90 instead of 60.92 years). The guide also prints 27.75/28.67 as .96 (it is 0.968, p. 25) and 51.25% x $72,115.93 as $36,959.42 (exact: $36,959.41, p. 14). The statute gives no rounding rule.
ERSRI RIRSA Guide (Jan. 2012), pp. 14, 24-27; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-12(c)(ii)The handbook (p. 40) states the $800-per-year death benefit with a $16,000 maximum and a $4,000 minimum only after retirement; § 36-10-21 also sets a $4,000 minimum before retirement. Not a real conflict; the engine uses the statute's minimum for both.
Handbook, p. 40, How much is the death benefit; R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-10-21The handbook (p. 20) says teachers and employers each pay $115 a year to the TSB plan; § 16-16-35 says 1% of salary up to $11,500 each. Same amount ($115).
Handbook, p. 20, Teacher Survivors' Benefit; R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-35(a)Things to check with ERSRI
Our sources don't settle these points. Each is labeled "Check with ERSRI" where it shows up on the site.
The handbook is the 10th edition (June 2020). It predates the 2023 and 2024 budget articles; those changes come from the Treasurer's guide, ERSRI's web pages and the statute.
What would settle it: A post-2024 edition of the ERSRI Member Handbook.
The calculator estimates the Article 7 (prior-law) age and the proportional SSNRA from the statute's formula and the 2012 guide's examples. ERSRI shows each member's actual schedule and eligibility date in the member portal.
What would settle it: The member's ERSRI Pension Projection Tool.
The handbook prints whole years only (9, 17, 24, 31, 38%). For part years the calculator adds that year's monthly rate from the statute (0.75%, 0.667%, 0.583% a month); the statute doesn't say how the columns combine.
What would settle it: An ERSRI estimate for a part-year early retirement.
Appendix D is by whole years of age difference. The calculator uses completed years between the two birth dates; ERSRI's rounding is not stated.
What would settle it: ERSRI's option estimate for a specific beneficiary.
SRA PLUS depends on ERSRI's national-average age-62 Social Security estimate, which is not published.
What would settle it: An ERSRI SRA PLUS estimate.
The 2025 COLA percentage and the 2025 caps are not in the saved pages (ERSRI's 2025 COLA page was not saved). Known: 2024 2.84% (0.71% for 1/4), caps $29,776 / $35,731; 2026 3.34% (0.84%), caps $31,507 / $37,808.
What would settle it: ERSRI's '2025 COLA Information' page.
The caps grow by the full COLA percentage (both caps rose 5.81% from 2024 to 2026), but the exact yearly indexing step is not stated. Projections beyond 2026 grow the cap by the assumed COLA.
What would settle it: ERSRI's yearly COLA pages or the June 30, 2025 valuation.
The full COLA returns when the aggregate funded ratio (ERS, judges, state police) exceeds 75%. Only the GASB ratio (teachers 70.1%) and the actuary's 2029/2030 outlook are in the sources.
What would settle it: June 30, 2025 pension actuarial valuation (not found by the user; optional).
The statute's 2015 pairs are for 'teachers in active service'; the handbook's Rule of 95 doesn't say whether it applies to someone who left before meeting it. The calculator applies it only to active teachers.
What would settle it: ERSRI.
The handbook scales a B1NE member's SSNRA only with 10 years of contributory service, but doesn't say whether the 10 years are counted at June 30, 2012 or at retirement. The calculator counts them at retirement.
What would settle it: ERSRI or the member portal.
SSA treats a birthday on the 1st as falling in the previous month. Whether ERSRI's SSNRA date does the same is not stated; the calculator uses the actual birthday.
What would settle it: ERSRI.
How a pre-retirement OAP annuity is reduced when the member was not yet eligible comes only from the 2013 valuation (9% a year), before the 2015 table.
What would settle it: ERSRI or a current valuation.
The list of TSB (non-Social Security) districts is from the June 2020 handbook.
What would settle it: ERSRI or the school district.
The FY2027 budget's changes to § 44-30-12 (separate inflation index; tax year 2027 thresholds) are only in the SFO summary.
What would settle it: 2026 public law text or the RI Division of Taxation's instructions.
Retiree health for most teachers is set by each district (contracts), not ERSRI. Only the state's unsubsidized option is described.
What would settle it: The teacher's district contract or HR office.
The posted statutes show history through 2024-2025. Any 2026 session changes to ch. 16-16 or 36-10 might not be posted; the FY2027 SFO report shows no teacher pension article, and ERSRI's page confirms § 16-16-24.3 expired June 26, 2026.
What would settle it: 2026 public laws list.
Sources
- ERSRI, Membership and Retirement Handbook (State Employees, Teachers, Correctional Officers, BHDDH Nurses, Municipal Employees) 10th edition, June 2020 (contents page); file posted on ersri.org in 2022-03 as 'ERSRI Member Handbook_web2.pdf'. Predates the 2023 and 2024 budget articles.
- Office of the General Treasurer, 'Summary of Changes to the Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island' (Article 12 of the FY25 budget) July 1, 2024 (slide deck, 20 pages)
- ERSRI web pages 'COLA Information' and '2026 COLA Information' As saved by the user from ersri.org on 2026-11-12
- ERSRI web page 'Working After Retirement' As saved by the user from ersri.org on 2026-11-12
- Social Security Administration, 'Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction' (Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth) As saved by the user from ssa.gov on 2026-11-12
Handbook page numbers are its printed page numbers. Last reviewed Nov. 12, 2026.
Source: ERSRI Membership and Retirement Handbook, 10th edition, June 2020 (with the 2024 Article 12 changes from the Treasurer's guide, July 1, 2024), pp. 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 33, 35, 38, 39, 40, 44. Also: Rhode Island General Laws; Treasurer's guide to the 2024 pension changes (Article 12), July 1, 2024; ERSRI's COLA Information pages (saved Nov. 12, 2026); ERSRI Retirement Board minutes, Dec. 17, 2025; ERSRI's guide to the Retirement Security Act, Jan. 2012; State OPEB actuarial valuation, June 30, 2025; ERSRI's Working After Retirement page (saved Nov. 12, 2026); ERS actuarial valuation, June 30, 2013. Last reviewed .