CalSTRS Pension Calculator
For California public school teachers: your monthly CalSTRS pension from the official age factor tables, your service credit and your final compensation.
A CalSTRS pension is age factor × years of service credit × final compensation. Under 2% at 60 (hired before 2013) the factor is 2% at age 60, rising to 2.4% at 63. Under 2% at 62 (hired in 2013 or later) it is 2% at 62, rising to 2.4% at 65. Thirty years at 2.4% replaces 72% of your final pay.
Your benefit structure depends on when you first became a CalSTRS member. Final compensation is your highest average monthly pay over 36 months (or 12 months for 2% at 60 members with 25+ years).
CalSTRS Pension Calculator
Estimated CalSTRS Pension
Age factor
Per year
Share of final pay
How this is calculated
The CalSTRS Defined Benefit formula is age factor × service credit × final compensation = monthly retirement benefit. The calculator uses the age factor tables from the CalSTRS Member Handbook, month by month.
| Age | 2% at 60 | 2% at 62 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1.100% | — |
| 55 | 1.400% | 1.160% |
| 58 | 1.760% | 1.520% |
| 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 applies if you first performed CalSTRS-covered work before January 1, 2013. You can retire at 55 with 5 years of service, or as early as 50 with 30 years. With 30 or more years you also get a 0.2% career factor, up to the 2.4% maximum. If you have 25+ years, final compensation uses your best 12 consecutive months instead of 36.
2% at 62 applies to members first hired on or after January 1, 2013 (under PEPRA). The earliest retirement is 55 with 5 years of service. There is no career factor, final compensation is always the best 36 months, and pay counted toward the benefit is capped at $191,866 a year for 2026-27 ($360,000 for 2% at 60 members who joined after July 1, 1996).
This is the unmodified member-only benefit. Choosing a joint-and-survivor option, adding unused sick leave to service credit, or Defined Benefit Supplement payments will change your actual amount. CalSTRS pensions are taxed by California; see the retirement income tax calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a CalSTRS pension calculated?
Age factor times years of service credit times final compensation equals your monthly benefit. For example, 30 years at a 2.4% age factor with $9,000 a month in final compensation is 0.024 x 30 x $9,000 = $6,480 a month.
What is the difference between CalSTRS 2% at 60 and 2% at 62?
2% at 60 covers members who first worked in a CalSTRS-covered position before January 1, 2013: the factor is 2% at 60 and reaches 2.4% at 63, with a career factor for 30+ years. 2% at 62 covers members hired from 2013 on: 2% at 62, 2.4% at 65, no career factor and a cap on counted pay.
Can I collect Social Security and a CalSTRS pension?
Yes. The federal Social Security Fairness Act, signed in January 2025, repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset that used to reduce Social Security for many CalSTRS retirees. Most teachers do not pay into Social Security for their CalSTRS-covered work, so their own benefit comes from other jobs.
What is final compensation for CalSTRS?
Your highest average annual compensation earnable over 36 consecutive months, divided into a monthly figure. Members under 2% at 60 with 25 or more years of service use their highest 12 consecutive months instead.
Is a CalSTRS pension taxed in California?
Yes. California taxes CalSTRS pensions as regular income while you live in California. If you move to another state, California cannot tax your pension (federal law 4 U.S.C. 114).
This tool provides an educational estimate only. Your official benefit is calculated by CalSTRS from your service record and final compensation; use myCalSTRS or a benefits counselor for a formal estimate. The Teachers' Retirement Law governs if it differs from this estimate.