Teacher Pensions Blog

At what age can teachers retire?

The answer to that question depends on the state, the date the teacher began their employment, their age, and their years of service.

The table below is intended as a helpful tool for teachers to understand the rules that might affect them. For each state pension plan, the table provides the normal and early retirement ages applicable to teachers based on their hire date and relevant benefit tier.

Nearly every state has multiple tiers with different benefit rules that depend on the teacher’s start date. For each tier, the plan’s “normal” retirement age reflects the point at which the teacher can retire and begin collecting his or her full benefit. Retirement ages are generally expressed as a combination of age and years of service. For example, Alabama allows its Tier I employees to retiree with full benefits at age 60 once they have 10 years of service, or any age once they attain 25 years of service. In the table, these are marked as “60/10” and “Any/25,” respectively.  

Many states also offer teachers the option to retire early with a reduced benefit. For example, Arizona allows teachers to claim a reduced pension benefit beginning at age 50 for those employees with five or more years of service. The farther away the worker is from the plan's normal retirement age, the larger the reduction they face. Those reductions are permanently locked in once the employee begins collecting their benefit. 

See the table below for the normal and early retirement ages in your state. For more information, check out our state pages, or contact your state's pension plan. 

State

Plan Name

Tier

Normal Retirement Eligibility: (Age/Years of Service)

Early Retirement Eligibility: (Age/Years of Service)

Alabama

Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) - Tier 1

Hired before January 1, 2013

60/10; Any/25

Alabama

Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) - Tier 2

Hired on or after January 1, 2013

62/10

 

Alaska

Alaska Teachers Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 1990 and before July 1, 2006

60/8; Any/20

55/8

Alaska

Alaska Teachers Retirement System

Hired after July 1, 2006

N/A

N/A

Arizona

Arizona State Retirement System

Hired before Jan. 1, 1984

60/10; 65/1; Age + YOS = 80;

50/5

Arizona

Arizona State Retirement System

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 1984 and before July 1, 2011

62/10; 65/1; Age + YOS = 80

50/5

Arizona

Arizona State Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2011

65/1; 62/10; 60/25; 55/30

50/5

Arkansas

Arkansas Teacher Retirement System

 

60/5; Any/28

Any/25

California

California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS)

Hired before January 1, 2012

60/5

50/30; 55/5

California

California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS)

Hired on or after January 1, 2013

62/5

55/5

Colorado

Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA)

Hired before July 1, 2005; vested on January 1, 2011

50/30; 55 and AGE + YOS = 80; 65/5

50/25; 55/20; 60/5

Colorado

Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA)

Hired after June 30, 2005 and before January 1, 2007; vested on January 1, 2011

Any/35; 55 and AGE + YOS = 80; 65/5

50/25; 55/20; 60/5

Colorado

Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA)

Hired after December 31, 2006 and before January 1, 2011

Any/35; 55 and AGE + YOS = 85; 65/5

50/25; 55/20; 60/5

Colorado

Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA)

Hired after December 31, 2010

Any/35; 58 and AGE + YOS = 88; 65/5

50/25; 55/20; 60/5

Connecticut

Teachers' Retirement Board

All

60/20; Any/35

60/10; 55/20; Any/25

Delaware

Delaware State Employees' Pension Plan

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 1997 and before Jan. 1, 2012

62/5; 60/15; Any/30

55/15; Any/25

Delaware

Delaware State Employees' Pension Plan

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 2012

65/10; 60/20; Any/30

55/15; Any/25

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Teachers' Retirement Plan

Hired before Nov. 1, 1996

62/5; 60/20; 55/30

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Teachers' Retirement Plan

Hired on or after Nov. 1, 1996

62/5; 60/20; Any/30

Florida

Florida Retirement System Pension Plan: Regular Class

Hired before July 1, 2011

62/6; Any/30

42/6

Florida

Florida Retirement System Pension Plan: Regular Class

Hired on or after July 1, 2011

65/8; Any/33

45/8

Florida

Florida Retirement System Investment Plan

Effective July 1, 2002

Any/1

N/A

Georgia

Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS)

 

60/10; Any/30

Any/25

Hawaii

Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii (ERS) - Contributory Plan for General Employees

Hired before July 1, 1984

55/5

Any/25

Hawaii

Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii (ERS) - Noncontributory Plan

Hired on or after July 1, 1984 and before July 1, 2006

55/30; 62/10

55/20

Hawaii

Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii (ERS) - Hybrid Plan

Hired on or after July 1, 2006 and before July 1, 2012

55/30; 62/5

50/20

Hawaii

Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii (ERS) - Hybrid Plan

Hired on or after July 1, 2012

60/30; 65/10

50/20

Idaho

Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI)

 

65/5; Age + YOS = 90

55/5

Illinois

Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois

Hired before Jan. 1, 2011 (Tier 1)

65/any; 62/5; 60/10; 55/35

55/20

Illinois

Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 2011 (Tier 2)

65/any; 67/10

62/10

Indiana

Indiana State Teachers Retirement Fund

 

65/10; 60/15; age 55 and age + YOS = 85

50/15

Iowa

Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)

Retired before July 1, 2012

62/20; 65/4; 55 and AGE + YOS = 88; 70 and still working for IPERS

55/4

Iowa

Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)

Hired after June 30, 2012

62/20; 65/7; 55 and AGE + YOS = 88; 70 and still working for IPERS

55/7

Kansas

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System: School Tier 1

Hired before July 1, 2009

65/1; 62/10; Age + YOS = 85

55/10

Kansas

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System: School Tier 2

Hired on or after July 1, 2009 and before Jan. 1, 2015

65/5; 60/30

55/10

Kansas

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System: School Tier 3 (Cash Balance)

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 2015

65/5; 60/30

55/10

Kentucky

Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 1983 and before July 1, 2002

60/5; Any/27

55/5

Kentucky

Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2002 and before July 1, 2008

60/5; Any/27

55/5

Kentucky

Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2008

60/5; Any/27

55/10

Louisiana

Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana

Hired before July 1, 1999

60/5; Any/20;

Louisiana

Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana

Hired on or after July 1, 1999 and before Jan. 1, 2011

60/5; 55/25; Any/30

Any/20

Louisiana

Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 2011

60/5

Any/20

Maine

Maine Public Employees Retirement System: State and Teacher's Retirement Program

Hired before July 1, 1983

60/1

Any/25

Maine

Maine Public Employees Retirement System: State and Teacher's Retirement Program

Hired on or after July 1, 1983 and before Oct. 1, 1989

62/1

Any/25

Maine

Maine Public Employees Retirement System: State and Teacher's Retirement Program

Hired on or after Oct. 1, 1994 and before July 1, 2006

62/1

Any/25

Maine

Maine Public Employees Retirement System: State and Teacher's Retirement Program

Hired on or after July 1, 2006

65/1

Any/25

Maryland

Maryland State Retirement and Pension System: Teachers' Pension System

Hired on or after July 1, 2011

65/10; Age + YOS = 90;

60/15

Maryland

Maryland State Retirement and Pension System: Teachers' Pension System

Hired between Jan. 1, 1980 and July 30, 2011

65/2; 64/3; 63/4; 62/5; any/30

60/15

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 1979 and before Jan. 1, 1984

55/10; Any/20

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 1984 and before July 1, 1996

55/10; Any/20

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 1996 and before July 1, 2001

55/10; Any/20

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2001 and before April 1, 2012

55/10; Any/20

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after April 1, 2012

60/10

 

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Basic

Hired before January 1, 1990 and retired before February 1, 2013

55/30; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Fixed - Option 1

Hired before January 1, 1990, elected MIP plan - 25 YOS on February 1, 2013 (Option 1)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Fixed - Option 2

Hired before January 1, 1990, elected MIP plan - 25 YOS on February 1, 2013 (Option 2)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Fixed - Option 3

Hired before January 1, 1990, elected MIP plan - 25 YOS on February 1, 2013 (Option 3)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Fixed - Option 4

Hired before January 1, 1990, elected MIP plan - 25 YOS on February 1, 2013 (Option 4)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Graded - Option 1

Hired after December 31, 1989 and before July 1, 2008 - 20 YOS on February 1, 2013 (Option 1)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Graded - Option 2

Hired after December 31, 1989 and before July 1, 2008 - 20 YOS on February 1, 2013 (Option 2)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Graded - Option 3

Hired after December 31, 1989 and before July 1, 2008 - 20 YOS on February 1, 2013 (Option 3)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Graded - Option 4

Hired after December 31, 1989 and before July 1, 2008 - 20 YOS on February 1, 2013 (Option 4)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Member Investment Plan (MIP) Plus

Hired after June 30, 2008 and before July 1, 2010 (MIP Plus)

Any/30; 60/5; 60/10

55/15

Michigan

Public School Employees' Retirement System - Pension Plus Plan (PPP)

Hired after June 30, 2010 (Pension Plus Plan)

60/10

55/15

Minnesota

Minnesota Teachers Retirement Association

Hired on or before June 30, 1989

65/3; 62/30; Age + YOS = 90

55/3; Any/30

Minnesota

Minnesota Teachers Retirement Association

Hired after June 30, 1989

66/3

55/3

Mississippi

Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System

Hired before July 1, 2007

60/4; any/25

Mississippi

Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2007 but before July 1, 2011

60/8; any/25

Mississippi

Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2011

65/8; any/30

60/8

Missouri

Public School Retirement System of Missouri

Retire on or before July 1, 2013

60/5; any/30; Age + YOS = 80

55/5; any/25

Missouri

Public School Retirement System of Missouri

Retire after July 1, 2013

60/5; any/30; Age + YOS = 80

55/5; any/25

Montana

Montana Teacher's Retirement System (TRS)

 

60/5; Any/25

50/5

Nebraska

Nebraska School Employees' Retirement System

 

65/1; age 55 and age + YOS = 85

60/5

Nevada

Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2001 and before Jan. 1, 2010

65/5; 60/10; Any/30

Any/5

Nevada

Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 2010

65/5; 62/10; Any/30

Any/5

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Retirement System

Hired before Jan. 1, 2002

60/1

50/10; 20 YOS and Age + YOS = 70

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Retirement System

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 2002 and before July 1, 2009

60/1

50/10; 20 YOS and Age + YOS = 70

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2009 and before July 1, 2011

60/1

50/10; 20 YOS and Age + YOS = 70

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2011

65/1

60/30

New Jersey

New Jersey Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund

Hired before July 1, 2007 (Tier 1)

60/10; 55/25

Any/25

New Jersey

New Jersey Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund

Hired on or after July 1, 2007 and before Nov. 2, 2008  (Tier 2)

60/10

Any/25

New Jersey

New Jersey Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund

Hired on or after Nov. 2, 2008 and before May 22, 2010 (Tier 3)

62/10

Any/25

New Jersey

New Jersey Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund

Hired on or after May 22, 2010 and before June 28, 2011 (Tier 4)

62/10

Any/25

New Jersey

New Jersey Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund

Hired on or after June 28, 2011 (Tier 5)

65/10

Any/30

New Mexico

New Mexico Educational Retirement Board

Hired before July 1, 2010

65/5; Any/25; Age 60 and age + YOS = 75

Age + YOS = 75

New Mexico

New Mexico Educational Retirement Board

Hired on or after July 1, 2010 and before July 1 , 2013

67/5; Any/30; Age 65 and Age + YOS = 80

Age + YOS = 80

New Mexico

New Mexico Educational Retirement Board

Hired on or after July 1 , 2013

67/5; 55/30; Age 65 and Age + YOS = 80

Any/30; Age + YOS = 80

New York

New York State Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after July 27, 1976 and before Jan. 1, 2010 (Tiers 3 & 4)

62/5; any/30

55/5

New York

New York State Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 2010 and before April 1, 2012 (Tier 5)

62/10; 57/30

55/10

New York

New York State Teachers' Retirement System

Hired on or after April 1, 2012 (Tier 6)

63/10

55/10

North Carolina

Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS)

Hired before August 1, 2011

65/5; 60/25; Any/30

50/20; 60/5

North Carolina

Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS)

Hired after July 31, 2011

65/10; 60/25; Any/30

50/20; 60/10

North Dakota

North Dakota Teachers' Fund for Retirement

Hired before July 1, 2008 and age 55 by July 1, 2013

65/3; Age + YOS = 85

55/3

North Dakota

North Dakota Teachers' Fund for Retirement

Hired before July 1, 2008 and younger than 55 on July 1, 2013

65/3; Age 60 and Age + YOS = 90

55/3

North Dakota

North Dakota Teachers' Fund for Retirement

Hired on or after July 1, 2008 and retire after July 1, 2013

65/5; Age 60 and Age + YOS = 90

55/5

Ohio

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio

Retiring before Aug. 1, 2015

65/5; Any/30

55/25; 60/5

Ohio

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio

Retiring on or after Aug. 1, 2015 and before Aug. 1, 2017

65/5; Any/31

55/26; 60/5; Any/30

Ohio

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio

Retiring on or after Aug. 1, 2019 and before Aug. 1, 2021

65/5; Any/33

55/28; 60/5; Any/30

Ohio

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio

Retiring on or after Aug. 1, 2026

65/5; 60/35

60/5; Any/30

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (TRS) - Low Base

Hired after June 30, 1979 and before July 1, 1992

62/5; AGE + YOS = 80

55/5; Any/30 YOS

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (TRS) - High Base

Hired after June 30, 1979 and before July 1, 1992

62/5; AGE + YOS = 80

55/5; Any/30 YOS

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (TRS) - Low Base

Hired after June 30, 1992 and before July 1, 1995

62/5; AGE + YOS = 90

55/5; Any/30 YOS

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (TRS) - High Base

Hired after June 30, 1992 and before July 1, 1995

62/5; AGE + YOS = 90

55/5; Any/30 YOS

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (TRS) - Low Base

Hired after June 30, 1995 and before November 1, 2011

62/5; AGE + YOS = 90

55/5; Any/30 YOS

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (TRS) - Low Base

Hired on or after November 1, 2011

65/5; 60 and AGE + YOS = 90

60/5; Any/30 YOS

Oregon

Oregon Public Employees Retirement System: Tier One

Hired before July 14, 1995

58/5; any/30

55/5

Oregon

Oregon Public Employees Retirement System: Tier Two

Hired on or after Jan. 1, 1996 and before Aug. 29, 2003

60/5; any/30

55/5

Oregon

Oregon Public Employees Retirement System: OPSRP

Hired on or after Aug. 28, 2003

65/5; 58/30

55/5

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) - Class T-C

Hired before July 1, 2001

62/1; 60/30; Any/35

Any/5; 55/25

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) - Class T-D

Hired after June 30, 2001 and before July 1, 2011

62/1; 60/30; Any/35

Any/5; 55/25

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) - Class T-E

Hired on or after July 1, 2011, Class T-E

65/3; 35 YOS and AGE + YOS = 92

Any/10; 55/25

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) - Class T-F (Optional)

Hired on or after July 1, 2011, Class T-F

65/3; 35 YOS and AGE + YOS = 92

Any/10; 55/25

Rhode Island

Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI) - Schedule B2

Hired after September 30, 2009 and before July 1, 2012

65/10; 62/29

62/20

Rhode Island

Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI) - Schedule AB

20 YOS on July 1, 2012

60/10

55/20

Rhode Island

Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI)

Hired after June 30, 2012

Social Security FRA

Social Security FRA-5/20

South Carolina

South Carolina Retirement System

Hired before July 1, 2012 (Class 2)

65/5; Any/28

60/5; 55/25

South Carolina

South Carolina Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 2012 (Class 3)

65/8; 8 YOS and Age + YOS = 90

60/8

South Dakota

South Dakota Retirement System (Class A)

Retired before July 1, 2008

65/3; Age 55 and Age + YOS = 85

55/3

South Dakota

South Dakota Retirement System (Class A)

Hired on or after July 1, 2008

65/3; Age 55 and Age + YOS = 85

55/3

Tennessee

Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System

Hired on or after July 1, 1976

60/5;  any/30

55/5; any/25

Texas

Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Tier 1: hired on or before Sept. 1, 1980, or hired on or before Sept. 1, 2005 and at least age 50 at that time or age + YOS = 70 that year

65/5; Any/5 and Age + YOS = 80

55/5; Any/30

Texas

Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Tier 2: hired after Sept. 1, 1980 and on or before Sept. 1, 2007, and not in Tier 1

65/5; Any/5 and Age + YOS = 80

55/5; Any/30

Texas

Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Tier 3: hired after Sept. 1, 2007

65/5; 60/5 and age + YOS = 80

55/5; Any/30; age + YOS = 80

Utah

Tier 1 Contributory

Hired before July 1, 1975

65/4; Any/30

60/20; 62/10

Utah

Tier 1 Contributory

Hired after June 30, 1975 and before July 1, 1986

65/4; Any/30

60/20; 62/10

Utah

Tier 1 Noncontributory

Hired after June 30, 1986 and before July 1, 2011

65/4; Any/30

60/20; 62/10; Any/25

Utah

Tier 2 Public Employees Contributory Retirement System

Hired after June 30, 2011

65/4; Any/35

60/20; 62/10

Vermont

State Teachers' Retirement System of Vermont

Hired before July 1, 1981

60/any; Any/30

55/5

Vermont

State Teachers' Retirement System of Vermont

Hired on or after July 1, 1981 and before July 1, 1985 (or at least age 57 on July 1, 2010)

62/any; Any/30

55/5

Vermont

State Teachers' Retirement System of Vermont

Hired on or after July 1, 1985 (and younger than age 57 on July 1, 2010)

65/any; Age + YOS = 90

55/5

Virginia

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) - Plan 1

Hired before July 1, 2010 and vested on January 1, 2013

65/5; 50/30

55/5; 50/10

Virginia

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) - Plan 2

Hired after June 30, 2010

Social Security FRA/5; AGE + YOS = 90

60/5

Washington

Washington Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) - Plan 2

Hired after September 30, 1977 and before July 1, 1996

65/5

55/20

Washington

Washington Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) - Plan 3

Hired after June 30, 1996 and before May 1, 2013

65/10; 65/5 with 1+ YOS after age 44

55/10

Washington

Washington Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) - Plan 3

Hired on or after May 1, 2013

65/10; 65/5 with 1+ YOS after age 44

55/10

West Virginia

Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)

 

55/30; 60/5; Any/35

Any/30-35

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

Retired before January 1, 2000

65/Any; 57/30

55/Any

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

20 YOS on January 1, 2000

65/Any; 57/30

55/Any

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

Hired after June 30, 2011

65/Any; 57/30

55/Any

Wyoming

Wyoming Public Employee Pension Plan

Hired before Sept. 1, 2012

60/4; Age + YOS = 85

50/4; Any/25

Wyoming

Wyoming Public Employee Pension Plan

Hired on or after Sept. 1, 2012

65/4; Age + YOS = 85

55/4; Any/25

Note: Table is based on data from the Urban Institute's State and Local Employee Pension Plan Database