First joined June 30, 2015
Tier I
First joined July 1, 2015
Tier II
Tier II is for a person hired for the first time who first becomes a member of West Virginia TRS on or after July 1, 2015; everyone who first became a member before then is Tier I. West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1; West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(a), §18-7A-25b
The two tiers side by side
| Tier I | Tier II | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | First a member before July 1, 2015 | Hired for the first time and first a member on or after July 1, 2015 |
| Vested after | 5 years | 10 years of contributing service |
| Full benefit | 60 with 5 years; 55 with 30 years; any age with 35 years | 62 with 10 years |
| Reduced (early) benefit | under 55 with 30 to 35 years | 60 with 10 years; 57 with 20 years; 55 with 30 years |
| After leaving, without a refund | 62 with 5 years; 60 with 20 years | 64 with 10 years; 63 with 20 years |
| Unused leave to service credit | Yes, if in PEIA at retirement | No |
| You pay | 6% of salary | 6% of salary |
The full and early ages are for members still working in a West Virginia TRS job when they retire. 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)
- West Virginia TRS covers teachers and school service personnel. It is run by the West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board (CPRB).West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), pp. 1-2
- Your tier depends on when you first became a member: Tier I if before July 1, 2015; Tier II if you were hired for the first time and first became a member on or after July 1, 2015.West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), p. 1; West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b
- If you were hired by a county school system between July 1, 1991 and June 30, 2005, you may be in the Teachers' Defined Contribution plan (TDC) instead, unless you transferred to West Virginia TRS in 2008. TDC closed to new members after June 30, 2005.CPRB TDC web page; W. Va. Code §18-7B-7a; CPRB annual report FY2025, pp. 36, 41
- You're vested after 5 years of service in Tier I and 10 years of contributing service in Tier II.West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (2023), pp. 1-2; West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25, -25b
Which years count for eligibility
Purchased out-of-state, parochial-school and sick/annual-leave service count only as additional service, never toward eligibility. Members who joined on or after July 1, 2013 need 5 years of actual contributory service. 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)
Eligibility counts contributing service only, excluding non-USERRA purchased military service. Early retirement requires being currently employed by a participating employer. West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1, Tier II Retirement Benefits; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b(a)-(f)
Who is covered
Membership is compulsory for new entrants employed as teachers and nonteachers (school service personnel) regularly employed for full-time service by county boards of education and other listed employers. W. Va. Code §18-7A-3 ('Teacher member', 'Nonteaching member'); §18-7A-13(a)
Employees of State institutions of higher education and the Higher Education Policy Commission hired after June 30, 1991 must participate in the Higher Education Retirement System instead of West Virginia TRS. Not covered here. CPRB annual report FY2025, p. 36, Note 2 (West Virginia TRS plan description)
The closed TDC plan
A defined contribution (money purchase) plan for county school, Department of Education and certain higher education employees hired between July 1, 1991 and June 30, 2005, when it closed to new members. People first employed after June 30, 2005 join West Virginia TRS instead. In 2008, 15,152 TDC members elected to transfer to West Virginia TRS (effective July 1, 2008). TDC members contribute 4.5% and employers 7.5%; employer money vests partly after 6 years and fully after 12. Not covered by this calculator. CPRB TDC web page, Plan Overview; W. Va. Code §18-7B-7a; CPRB annual report FY2025, pp. 36, 41, Note 2 (West Virginia TRS; TDCRS)
The ACFR says Tier II covers employees 'hired after July 1, 2015'; the statute and brochures say first becoming a member on or after July 1, 2015. We use on or after July 1, 2015.
CPRB annual report FY2025, p. 36; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25b; West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023), p. 1
Next: the benefit formula or full and early retirement ages.
Questions
Am I in Tier I or Tier II of West Virginia TRS?
It depends on when you first became a member. Before July 1, 2015: Tier I. Hired for the first time and first a member on or after July 1, 2015: Tier II.
How many years do I need to be vested?
5 years in Tier I; 10 years of contributing service in Tier II.
How much do I pay in?
6% of your gross salary, in both tiers.
Source: West Virginia TRS Tier I brochure (CPRB), September 2023, pp. 1-2. Also: West Virginia TRS Tier II brochure (2023); CPRB annual report FY2025; CPRB web pages; W. Va. Code §§ 18-7A-3, 18-7A-13, 18-7A-14, 18-7A-23, 18-7A-25, 18-7A-25b, 18-7B-7a. Last reviewed .