This resource center is built primarily for California teachers and CalSTRS members, but many school administrators, classified employees, and other public education professionals may need to understand CalPERS or another public retirement system depending on their role and employer. Each guide below is written in plain English and designed to help you understand your options - not to sell you anything.
A. CalSTRS Teacher Retirement Resources
Understanding Your CalSTRS Pension
- How the CalSTRS Pension Formula Works - Service credit, age factor, and final compensation explained with an example.
- How Final Compensation Affects Your Pension - Why your late-career salary matters more than you might think.
- CalSTRS 2% at 60 vs 2% at 62 - How your membership tier changes your age factor and retirement math.
- What Is the Best Age to Retire Under CalSTRS? - How retirement age affects your monthly income.
- How Sick Leave Can Affect Your CalSTRS Pension - What unused sick leave may mean for service credit.
Closing the Retirement Income Gap
- Will Your CalSTRS Pension Be Enough? - Understanding the retirement income gap.
- 403(b) Options for California Teachers - Plain-English overview of supplemental savings.
- CalSTRS Benefit Election Options Explained - Unmodified vs. 50/75/100% continuance options.
Planning by Career Stage
- Early-Career Teachers (0-5 Years)
- Mid-Career Teachers (6-15 Years)
- Teachers 16-25 Years In
- Approaching Retirement (26+ Years)
The Complimentary Review
Planning by Region
- Southern California Teacher Retirement Planning
- Ventura County Teacher Retirement Planning
- Los Angeles Teacher Retirement Planning
B. CalPERS & Public Education Employee Resources
Beyond the Classroom
- CalSTRS vs CalPERS for California Education Employees - The basic distinction between the two systems and why it matters.
- CalPERS Retirement Planning for California Education Employees - A general guide for education employees who may be covered by CalPERS.
- CalPERS Retirement Planning for School Administrators - What changes - and what doesn't - when you move into administration.
- Retirement Planning for Classified School Employees - Guidance for classified staff and other support personnel.
- Public Education Retirement Review - What the complimentary review covers for any public education role.