Check with Wyoming RSEstimate only, not an official benefit amount. Confirm with Wyoming RS (307-777-7691) before you decide.
Your estimated monthly check
Fill in the form and we'll show your Option 1 benefit, your tier, the date it's unreduced, what retiring early costs, and what one more year adds. Tier 1 earns 2.125% of your highest average salary for each of your first 15 years and 2.25% after that; Tier 2 earns 2% a year.
Your road to a full benefit
Retire as planned, or work longer?
Your check at every age
After you retire
Try some examples
Tap a link to load it into the calculator. These are our own examples, built on WRS's rules.
- Tier 2 at 65 with 30 years and a $60,000 highest average salary: 30 × 2% = 60%, $3,000.00 a month. Handbook p. 9, Public Employee Pension Benefit Table
- Tier 1 at 57 with 20 years: 43.125% of the average, then 15% off for 3 years early: $1,832.81 a month. Handbook p. 11, Taking a Reduced Retirement Benefit
- Rule of 85: Tier 2 at 57 with 28 years: 57 + 28 = 85, so no cut, eight years before 65: $2,800.00 a month. Handbook p. 11, Retirement Eligibility Ages and Understanding the 'Rule of 85'
How a part month early is counted Check with WRSWhat would settle it: A WRS estimate for a retirement date that is not on the birthday day of the month, or written confirmation from WRS.
The handbook counts the early cut by the month but doesn't say how part of a month counts. We count it as a whole month, which gives the slightly bigger cut.
Why
The handbook says partial years are 'prorated on a monthly basis' but not how a partial month is counted. Our calculator counts age in completed months, so a partial month early counts as a full month.
How your age counts toward the Rule of 85 Check with WRSWhat would settle it: A WRS Board rule or a WRS member statement showing the Rule of 85 date for a member whose birthday falls mid-year.
We add your age in years and months to your service. WRS might count age differently, which could move your Rule of 85 date by up to a month.
Why
The sources say 'age plus years of service credit equal 85' without saying whether age is counted in completed years, months or days. Our calculator uses completed months of age plus service years.
Common questions
What is WRS?
The Wyoming Retirement System (WRS). Wyoming public school teachers and other school district employees are in its Public Employee Pension Plan. You're vested after 48 months (4 years) of service.
Am I in Tier 1 or Tier 2?
Tier 1 if you were first hired before September 1, 2012; Tier 2 if hired on or after that date. If you left and came back, your tier depends on whether you were vested and kept your money with WRS.
How is my pension calculated?
Your highest average salary × a percentage for each year of service. Tier 1: 2.125% for each of your first 15 years, then 2.25% for each year after. Tier 2: 2% a year. No cap.
When can I retire with no cut?
At 60 (Tier 1) or 65 (Tier 2) once vested, or at any age when your age plus your years of service add up to 85 (the Rule of 85).
Can I retire early?
Yes, at 50 (Tier 1) or 55 (Tier 2) once vested, or at any age with 25 years. The cut is 5% for each year under 60 or 65, counted by the month, for life.
Does my pension get a raise?
Not automatically. The Legislature can grant one, but rarely does. You can choose a self-funded COLA at retirement: a fixed 1%, 2% or 3% raise each year for a smaller starting check.
Is there a DROP?
No. WRS has no DROP (deferred retirement option plan) for the Public Employee Pension Plan.
Is this the official WRS calculator?
No. It's an unofficial estimate built from WRS's Public Employee Pension Plan Handbook and Wyoming law, not affiliated with WRS. WRS decides your benefit. Its number is 307-777-7691.
Compare Wyoming with other states
- States where teachers don't get Social Security: All Wyoming RS Public Employee plan members pay into Social Security.
- Teacher DROP plans by state: No. WRS has no DROP for the Public Employee Pension Plan.
- Teacher pension COLAs by state: No automatic COLA. Lawmakers can grant one only if the plan is 100% funded (82.5% in 2026). You can buy a 1%-3% yearly raise.
- State taxes on teacher pensions, by state: Wyoming law exempts WRS benefits from any Wyoming state or local tax.
- Teacher pension multipliers by state: Tier 1: 2.125% for the first 15 years, 2.25% after. Tier 2: 2%. Best 36 months in a row (Tier 1) or 60 months (Tier 2).
- Teacher retirement age by state: Age 60 (Tier 1) or 65 (Tier 2) once vested, or the Rule of 85 (age + years = 85) at any age.
Plain-English guides
How your pension works
Tier 1 or Tier 2?Joined before or after Sept. 1, 2012, and what happens if you left and came back.→The benefit formulaHighest average salary × 2.125% then 2.25% (Tier 1) or 2% (Tier 2), WRS's benefit table, service credit and contributions.→Early retirementFrom 50 (Tier 1) or 55 (Tier 2), or with 25 years: 5% a year off, counted by the month, and where the rules disagree.→Buying service creditUp to 5 years one time (8 with military service), and how it can bring the Rule of 85 up to 2.5 years sooner.→WRS glossaryPlain-English definitions of HAS, the Rule of 85, the self-funded COLA and other WRS terms.→
Planning your exit
Leaving: refund or pension?Leave your money with WRS or take a refund, vesting at 48 months, and paying a refund back.→Taxes on your pensionExempt from Wyoming state and local tax by law; taxable for federal income tax.→WRS and Social SecurityWyoming teachers pay into Social Security too: what WRS's handbook says.→
After you retire
Working after retirementThe 30-day bona fide break, the one-time choice for a full-time job, and what the rules don't say about part-time work. There's no DROP.→The self-funded COLANo automatic raise. Take a smaller start for a fixed 1%, 2% or 3% a year, starting after a two-year wait.→Retiree health insuranceWRS runs no health plan. What the sources say about the State of Wyoming retiree plan.→Survivor benefitsTwice your account before retirement, your spouse's monthly option, what each option leaves after, and where the rules disagree.→
More calculators
These pages cover the WRS Public Employee Pension Plan, which includes school districts. University of Wyoming and community college employees choose once between WRS and an alternative plan. WRS's law enforcement, firefighter, judicial and other plans have different rules. Handbook p. 4, Enrolling in the Public Employee Pension Plan; W.S. 9-3-415(e)
Source: WRS Public Employee Pension Plan Handbook, Updated August 2026, pp. 1-4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 19, 20. Also: WRS Summary Report (2026); W.S. §§ 9-3-401, 9-3-402, 9-3-415, 9-3-418, 9-3-430. Last reviewed .