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New York City teacher pension tool

NYC TRS pension calculator

Model the Qualified Pension Plan benefit as final average salary × service factor × years, keeping the tier rule and any reduction visible.

Illustrative formula

NYC TRS benefit estimate

Transparent math

Estimated gross benefit

$2,990/month
Annual benefit$35,875
Applied formula percentage43.8%
$82,000×1.75%×25 yrs

Tier 4 pays 1.67% per year below 20 years, 2% per year at 20–30 years, and 1.5% per year beyond 30. Tier 6 pays 1⅔% per year below 20 years, a flat 35% at exactly 20 years, then 2% for each year beyond 20 — so a flat 2% × years overstates a Tier 6 benefit. Tier 6 also uses a five-year FAS. Use the factor from your TRS Tier 4 or Tier 6 Summary Plan Description.

This does not replace the official estimate. Verify your service credit, salary average, membership tier or class, age and option reductions, and every plan-specific limit with the retirement system before making a decision.

Formula and class assumptions

The NYC TRS Qualified Pension Plan (QPP) benefit is a final average salary multiplied by a service percentage set by your tier. A Tier 4 member with at least 20 years typically reaches 2% per year; the first 20 years are credited at a lower rate and years beyond 30 are credited at 1.5%. Tier 6 members use a five-year FAS and a factor that is reduced for the first 20 years of service.

The Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) program is separate. It is a supplemental savings account, not part of the QPP formula, so it is not included in this estimate.

Retiring before the tier's unreduced age produces an actuarial reduction. Enter the official percentage in the reduction field; the calculator does not assume one because Tier 4 and Tier 6 use different schedules.

Final average salary basis: Three-year FAS for Tier 4; five-year FAS for Tier 6, with anti-spiking limits.

Worked example

$82,000 FAS × 1.75% × 25 years = $35,875 / yearAbout $2,990 per month before an early-age reduction, option reduction, taxes and deductions. A 20-plus-year Tier 4 member using 2% would see a higher figure.

What this calculator does not decide

  • Eligibility to retire on a specific date under Tier 4 or Tier 6.
  • The exact tiered service percentage and the 20-year and 30-year breakpoints.
  • Early-retirement and payment-option reductions.
  • Any TDA balance, which is a separate account.
NYC TRS — How a Tier VI service retirement allowance is calculated (FAQ) ↗NYC TRS — How a Tier VI Final Average Salary is calculated (FAQ) ↗
Read the full NYC TRS formula guide →Open the NYC TRS hub →