Pre-2013 vs. Post-2013
CalSTRS membership generally falls into one of two main benefit structures, determined largely by when you were first hired into a CalSTRS-covered position: "2% at 60" for most members hired before January 1, 2013, and "2% at 62" for most members hired on or after that date under the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).
Membership Tier Overview
The "2%" in each name refers to the base age factor used in your pension formula at a specific reference age - 60 for the earlier tier, 62 for the later one. Your actual age factor changes depending on the exact age you retire, increasing the longer you wait, up to a cap.
Why Tier Affects Your Age Factor
Because the two tiers use different age factor schedules, two teachers with identical years of service and salary can end up with different pension amounts simply based on which tier they belong to. This is one of the more commonly misunderstood parts of CalSTRS planning.
Why Retirement Age Matters Even More Under PEPRA
2% at 62 members generally see a more significant percentage increase for delaying retirement past the reference age compared with 2% at 60 members. See our retirement age guide for how this plays out at specific ages.
Confirming Your Tier
Your CalSTRS member statements identify your benefit structure. If you are unsure which tier applies to you, that is one of the first things confirmed in a complimentary pension income review.