Tier I joined before July 1, 2015
Full benefit: 60 with 5 years; 55 with 30 years; any age with 35 years.
Early: Under 55 with at least 30 but under 35 years: reduced to the age-55 equivalent.
After leaving: 62 with 5 years; 60 with 20 years.
West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1, Retirement Benefits; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(a)-(c); §18-7A-23(a)(2); CPRB annual report FY2025, p. 36, Note 2 (West Virginia TRS)Tier II joined on or after July 1, 2015
Full benefit: 62 with 10 years.
Early: 60 with 10 years; 57 with 20 years; 55 with 30 years: reduced to the age-62 equivalent.
After leaving: 64 with 10 years; 63 with 20 years.
West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1, Tier II Retirement Benefits; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b(a)-(f)Your ages depend on your tier. The amount itself comes from the benefit formula; going back to work after retiring has its own rules (see working after retirement).
- Tier I: full benefits at 60 with 5 years, at 55 with 30 years, or at any age with 35 years, if you're working in covered employment when you retire.West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(a), (b)
- Tier II: full benefits at 62 with 10 years of contributing service. Purchased military service (other than USERRA) doesn't count toward eligibility.West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b(a)
- If you leave without taking a refund, you can start a deferred benefit at 62 (5+ years) or 60 (20+ years) in Tier I, or at 64 (10+ years) or 63 (20+ years) in Tier II.West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1; West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-23(a)(2), -25b(b), (c)
- Retirement isn't automatic: you must apply to CPRB. Your effective retirement date is the first of the month after you leave employment, meet eligibility and CPRB receives your completed application.West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1; 162 CSR 4 § 5.2, p. 7
Retiring early
- Tier I: if you're under 55 with at least 30 but under 35 years, you can retire with a reduced benefit: the actuarial equivalent of what you'd get at 55.West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(c)
- Tier II: if you're still working, you can retire with a reduced benefit at 60 with 10 years, 57 with 20 years, or 55 with 30 years. It's the actuarial equivalent of the benefit at 62.West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b(d)-(f)
- Check with CPRBCPRB doesn't publish how much the early-retirement reduction is. Check with CPRB for an estimate.No factor table in any source.W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(c), -25b(d)-(f)
No CPRB publication or rule we found gives the reduction factors or table. Actuarial equivalence uses the mortality table and interest rate adopted by the Board. W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(c); §18-7A-25b(d)-(f); §18-7A-3 ('Actuarially equivalent'); West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1
The statute says only 'reduced actuarial equivalent' of the age-55 (Tier I) or age-62 (Tier II) annuity. No CPRB source publishes factors or a table.
We show the unreduced amount and how many years early, but no reduced dollar figure. Check with CPRB.
What would settle it: A CPRB early-retirement factor table or a CPRB benefit estimate for an early retiree.
Tier I: retiring before 55 with 30 years
A Tier I member with 30 years of service on a $60,000 final average salary. The formula gives the same amount at every age; before 55 it's reduced by an amount CPRB doesn't publish.
| Start at | Years before 55 | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Age 50October 2023 · 30 years | 5 | up to $3,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 51October 2024 · 30 years | 4 | up to $3,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 52October 2025 · 30 years | 3 | up to $3,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 53October 2026 · 30 years | 2 | up to $3,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 54October 2027 · 30 years | 1 | up to $3,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 55October 2028 · 30 years | none | $3,000 |
Our engine on CPRB's rules, not a CPRB example. With 35 years, a Tier I member gets a full benefit at any age. West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1, Retirement Benefits; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(a)-(c); §18-7A-23(a)(2); CPRB annual report FY2025, p. 36, Note 2 (West Virginia TRS)
Tier II: the three early routes
A Tier II member on a $60,000 final average salary, at each early age with the least service that qualifies, and at 62.
| Start at | Years before 62 | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Age 5530 years | 7 | up to $3,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 5720 years | 5 | up to $2,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 6010 years | 2 | up to $1,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 6110 years | 1 | up to $1,000Check with CPRB |
| Age 6210 years | none | $1,000 |
Our engine on CPRB's rules. Early retirement in Tier II needs you to be working for a West Virginia TRS employer when you retire. West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1, Tier II Retirement Benefits; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b(a)-(f)
The ACFR says Tier II members 'may retire with reduced benefits at age 62 with 10 or more years'. The statute and the Tier II brochure say reduced at 60 with 10 years (full at 62). We follow the statute and brochure.
CPRB annual report FY2025, p. 36, Note 2 (West Virginia TRS); W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b(d); West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1
Some summaries list other full-benefit ages for Tier II. The law and CPRB's Tier II brochure give a full benefit only at 62 with 10 years; the other routes are reduced. W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b(a), (d)-(f); West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1
If you've left school employment
A vested member who leaves without taking a refund can start a deferred benefit at the later ages: Tier I at 62 with 5 years or 60 with 20 years; Tier II at 64 with 10 years or 63 with 20 years. West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1, Retirement Benefits; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(a)-(c); §18-7A-23(a)(2); CPRB annual report FY2025, p. 36, Note 2 (West Virginia TRS) West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1, Tier II Retirement Benefits; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b(a)-(f)
§18-7A-25(b) and (c) and the 35-year rule in (a) say 'any member', but the brochure lists them for members working at retirement and gives only age 62 (5 years) or 60 (20 years) for those who left.
For members who left covered employment we use only the brochure's deferred ages (62 with 5, 60 with 20). Check with CPRB.
What would settle it: CPRB confirmation or rule text.
The ACFR describes the Tier I deferred benefit as age 62 with 5-20 years 'or at age 60 with more than 20 years'. The statute says age 60 once the member 'has completed twenty years', and the brochure says 'at age 60 with 20 years'. We use 20 or more.
CPRB annual report FY2025, p. 36, Note 2 (West Virginia TRS); W. Va. Code §18-7A-23(a)(2); West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1
How age and dates are counted
The effective retirement date is the first of the month after leaving employment, meeting eligibility and CPRB receiving the completed application; no more than 4 months retroactive. Benefits are deposited on the 25th (December 18 in December), the prior workday if a weekend or holiday. 162 CSR 4 § 5.2, p. 7; W. Va. Code §18-7A-26(f); West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1
The sources say 'attained the age'; they don't address partial months.
Completed years on the effective retirement date.
What would settle it: CPRB confirmation.
Next: what one more year adds, or run your own numbers.
Questions
When can I retire from West Virginia TRS with a full benefit?
Tier I: 60 with 5 years, 55 with 30 years, any age with 35 years. Tier II: 62 with 10 years of contributing service. You must be working in a West Virginia TRS job when you retire.
Can I retire early from West Virginia TRS?
Tier I: before 55 with at least 30 but under 35 years. Tier II: 60 with 10 years, 57 with 20 years, 55 with 30 years. The benefit is reduced to the actuarial equivalent of the benefit at 55 (Tier I) or 62 (Tier II).
How much is the early-retirement reduction?
CPRB doesn't publish its reduction factors. Ask CPRB for an estimate before you decide.
What if I leave before I'm eligible?
If you're vested and leave your money in, you can start a deferred benefit later: Tier I at 62 with 5 years or 60 with 20 years; Tier II at 64 with 10 years or 63 with 20 years.
Source: West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (CPRB), September 2023, p. 1. Also: CPRB annual report FY2025; West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023); W. Va. Code §§ 18-7A-3, 18-7A-23, 18-7A-25, 18-7A-25b, 18-7A-26; CPRB rule 162 CSR 4. Last reviewed .