California State Teachers Retirement System Calculator
Estimate your CalSTRS pension from service credit, retirement age and final compensation, using CalSTRS's published age factors for 2% at 60 and 2% at 62 and the career factor.
CalSTRS retirement calculator
The CalSTRS formula
The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) pays a defined benefit: service credit × age factor × final compensation. CalSTRS's own example: 24 years of service, retiring at 63 under 2% at 60 (age factor 2.4%), final compensation $5,500 a month: 24 × 2.4% × $5,500 = $3,168 a month (member-only benefit, before any option for a beneficiary).
California State Teachers Retirement System: 2% at 60 vs 2% at 62
Your structure depends on when you were first hired: members before January 1, 2013 are generally 2% at 60, and those first hired on or after that date are 2% at 62. The age factor is the percentage of final pay you earn per year of service, and it rises with your age at retirement, by quarter year, to a maximum of 2.4%:
| Age | 2% at 60 | 2% at 62 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1.100% | – |
| 52 | 1.220% | – |
| 55 | 1.400% | 1.160% |
| 56 | 1.520% | 1.280% |
| 57 | 1.640% | 1.400% |
| 58 | 1.760% | 1.520% |
| 59 | 1.880% | 1.640% |
| 60 | 2.000% | 1.760% |
| 61 | 2.133% | 1.880% |
| 62 | 2.267% | 2.000% |
| 63 | 2.400% | 2.133% |
| 64 | 2.400% | 2.267% |
| 65 | 2.400% | 2.400% |
2% at 60 members with 30 or more years of service get a career factor: 0.2% added to the age factor, up to 2.4%. 2% at 62 members don't get the career factor. You can retire at 55 with at least 5 years of service credit; 2% at 60 members can also retire as early as 50 with 30 years.
Final compensation
Final compensation is your highest average monthly pay over 36 consecutive months. 2% at 60 members with 25 or more years of service use their highest 12 consecutive months instead. Example under 2% at 62: 30 years, retiring at 62 (factor 2.0%) with $7,000 final compensation = $4,200.00 a month.
This is an estimate of the member-only benefit. Choosing a beneficiary option lowers the monthly amount, and unused sick leave can add service credit. Get your official estimate from myCalSTRS. For CalPERS (state and school classified staff), use the CalPERS pension calculator.
Common questions
How is my CalSTRS pension calculated?
Service credit × age factor × final compensation; for example 24 × 2.4% × $5,500 = $3,168 a month.
What is the CalSTRS age factor at 62?
2.267% under 2% at 60 and 2.0% under 2% at 62; both top out at 2.4%.
What is the difference between CalSTRS 2% at 60 and 2% at 62?
2% at 60 covers members first hired before 2013; it reaches 2% at 60, has a career factor at 30 years, and can use 12-month final compensation with 25 years. 2% at 62 reaches 2% at 62 and uses 36 months.
When can I retire from CalSTRS?
At 55 with at least 5 years of service credit; 2% at 60 members can retire at 50 with 30 years.
Sources
More retirement calculators: Backdoor Roth IRA Calculator · Coast FIRE Calculator · FERS Retirement Calculator
Related
- CalPERS pension calculator
- How much do I need to retire?
- Social Security quick calculator
- Teacher salary
General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.