Name: Teacher Pension System Comparison
Creator: Public Pension Guide
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Plan-design comparison compiled from official system material. The three original systems were reviewed August 19, 2026; five systems were added September 2, 2026; thirty were added September 21, 2026; thirteen more were added September 22, 2026.
Feature	TexasTexas TRS	CaliforniaCalSTRS	IllinoisIllinois TRS
Benefit structure	Six membership tiers	2% at 60 and 2% at 62	Tier 1 and Tier 2
General vesting	Generally 5 years	Generally 5 years	Tier 1 generally 5; Tier 2 generally 10 years
Base formula	2.3% × service × average salary	Service × age factor × final compensation	2.2% × service × final average salary
Salary measure	Highest 3 or 5 annual salaries by tier	Generally 12 or 36 months by structure/service	Tier-specific averaging; Tier 2 salary cap
Normal retirement	Rule of 80 path varies by tier; separate age-65 path	Age and structure determine the age factor and eligibility	Tier 1 has multiple paths; Tier 2 generally age 67
Early retirement	Available under specified age/service paths; reductions vary	Minimum ages and factors differ by structure	Tier 2 age 62 with 6% per year under 67
Social Security	Coverage varies by employer	Coverage depends on employment; verify payroll record	Many covered positions do not participate; verify employer
Leaving employment	Refund ends membership and attached service	No partial refund; refund terminates membership	Refund forfeits rights; some contributions nonrefundable

Compare teacher pension systems

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