CalSTRS Retirement Pension Calculator (2% at 60 & 2% at 62)
Estimate your monthly California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) defined-benefit pension based on service credit, age factor, and final compensation.
How to Use the CalSTRS Retirement Pension Calculator (2% at 60 & 2% at 62)
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) calculates your lifetime Defined Benefit pension using a three-part formula: Service Credit × Age Factor × Final Compensation. Your benefit structure depends on whether you first became a CalSTRS member on or before December 31, 2012 (the classic ‘2% at 60′ formula) or on or after January 1, 2013 under the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (the ‘2% at 62’ formula).
Formula and Calculation Methodology
- Service Credit: Total years of full-time equivalent CalSTRS-covered teaching service plus unused sick leave
- Age Factor: Percentage multiplier based on your retirement age and membership tier (2% at 60 vs 2% at 62)
- Final Compensation: Highest average annual earnable salary over 12 or 36 consecutive months (divided by 12)
Under the 2% at 60 structure, members who accumulate 30 or more years of qualifying service credit also earn a 0.20% Career Factor enhancement added to their age factor (capped at the maximum 2.40% age factor reached at age 63). Under the 2% at 62 structure, the age factor starts at 1.16% at age 55, reaches 2.00% at age 62, and peaks at 2.40% at age 65.
CalSTRS Age Factor Comparison: 2% at 60 vs. 2% at 62 (PEPRA)
| Retirement Age | 2% at 60 Base Factor | 2% at 60 (With 30-Yr Career Bonus) | 2% at 62 Base Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 55 | 1.400% | 1.600% | 1.160% |
| Age 58 | 1.760% | 1.960% | 1.520% |
| Age 60 | 2.000% | 2.200% | 1.760% |
| Age 62 | 2.267% | 2.400% (Max) | 2.000% |
| Age 63 | 2.400% (Max) | 2.400% (Max) | 2.133% |
| Age 65+ | 2.400% (Max) | 2.400% (Max) | 2.400% (Max) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do California teachers receive Social Security in addition to CalSTRS?
No, California public school educators do not pay into Social Security for their CalSTRS-covered teaching earnings. If you earned Social Security credits from another job, recent federal repeal of WEP/GPO now allows fuller collection.
How is Final Compensation calculated in CalSTRS?
For members with 25+ years of service under 2% at 60, final compensation is based on your single highest-paid 12 consecutive months. For 2% at 62 members (and 2% at 60 members with under 25 years), it is the average of your highest 36 consecutive months.
Does unused sick leave increase my CalSTRS pension?
Yes! When you retire, your employer reports your accumulated unused sick leave to CalSTRS, which converts it directly into additional fractional service credit.