How we estimate Alaska TRS pensions

Tier I early retirement factors. Tier I early factors (ages 50-54) are not published; the handbook says to contact the Division (p. 29). The engine returns no amount for Tier I early retirement.

For Tier I early retirement (ages 50 to 54) we show no dollar amount: only the unreduced amount, labeled.

What would settle it: DRB's Tier I early retirement factor table.

Whether the printed factor tables are current. The printed early factors are labeled 'Effective 1986' and the J&S factors 'Effective July 1, 1983'. The 2025 handout reuses 0.623501, so the early table still appears current, but DRB says factors can change and the entry date picks the set (trs024).

We use the printed early retirement factors (effective 1986) and the sample joint and survivor factors (effective July 1, 1983). The 2025 handout's early example matches the 1986 table.

What would settle it: DRB's current factor tables and the entry-date rules for which set applies.

Survivor option factors for other ages. J&S factors are published only for member and spouse ages 50/55/60/65; the 2025 handout example (59 years 4 months, spouse 60) uses unpublished factors.

We show option amounts in dollars only for the published sample ages (you and your spouse each 50, 55, 60 or 65). For other ages we describe the options in words.

What would settle it: Full J&S and last survivor factor tables from DRB.

Tier I retirement ages in the statute. Every DRB publication gives Tier I a normal age of 55 and early age of 50, but the codified AS 14.25.110(a)-(b) text as printed on akleg.gov gives age 55 only to members first hired before July 1, 1975 (and age 60/55 to others). The Tier I rules presumably rest on uncodified applicability sections of the 1990 act (ch. 97, SLA 1990).

We follow the DRB publications: Tier I normal retirement at 55, early at 50.

What would settle it: The session law (ch. 97, SLA 1990) applicability sections, or DRB confirmation.

When Tier I gets the Alaska COLA. DRB publications say Tier I recipients get the Alaska COLA at retirement, but AS 14.25.142(a) as printed limits it to recipients 65 or older or on disability. The Tier I right presumably comes from an uncodified 1990 provision (the section history lists am Sec. 11 ch 97 SLA 1990).

We follow the DRB publications: Tier I retirees living in Alaska get the 10% Alaska COLA from retirement.

What would settle it: Ch. 97, SLA 1990, or DRB confirmation.

Interest on your contributions. The 2011 handbook says member accounts earn 4.5% a year; AS 14.25.145 says the rate is prescribed by the board each year.

We quote the 2011 handbook's 4.5% only as a past figure. We don't compute refund amounts.

What would settle it: The current board-set interest rate on Alaska TRS member contribution accounts.

School district rehire under AS 14.20.136. AS 14.20.136 and AS 14.25.043(f)-(g) let school districts rehire normal retirees without stopping the pension, but DRB's 2023 booklet and 2025 handout describe only the stop-the-benefit rule. Whether the statute has a sunset or a later amendment is not shown in the akleg.gov print view.

We show both the statute's rehire route and DRB's stop-the-benefit rule. The calculator applies DRB's rule.

What would settle it: DRB guidance on AS 14.20.136 rehires, or the statute's history and any sunset date.

Recent PRPA percentages. No recent PRPA percentages are in the saved sources, so the COLA projection takes a CPI assumption.

We describe how the PRPA works but show no percentage for any year, because the sources give none.

What would settle it: DRB's PRPA announcements for July 2025 and July 2026 (Anchorage CPI-W).

The employer contribution rate. AS 14.25.070(a) sets 12.56%, the 2020 chart says '12.56% Cost Share' and points to a rate page; the handbook says the rate may change each year.

We quote 12.56% from the statute and the 2020 chart. It doesn't change your benefit.

What would settle it: DRB employer contribution rates page for FY2026/FY2027.

Social Security offsets (WEP and GPO). The 2011 handbook describes the WEP and GPO reductions. That text predates the 2025 handouts, which no longer mention them. Federal law on WEP/GPO is outside these sources.

We say only what the DRB sources say: the 2011 handbook mentions the offsets and the 2025 handout doesn't. We don't estimate any effect.

What would settle it: A current Social Security Administration publication on WEP/GPO.

Buying back refunded service. The 2011 handbook says the right to reinstate refunded service ended June 30, 2010; the 2025 handout says it was suspended from July 1, 2010 until the January 2022 Metcalfe v. State decision.

We follow the 2025 handout: reinstatement was suspended from July 1, 2010 until the January 2022 court decision.

What would settle it: DRB's current reinstatement indebtedness rules.

Medicare age for DCR retiree medical. DCR medical and HRA eligibility depend on the Medicare eligibility age at retirement (AS 14.25.470(b)); dcr010 says it is currently 65.

We use 65, the Medicare-eligible age DRB gives in its August 2026 brochure.

What would settle it: No change needed unless federal Medicare age changes.

Which service counts for eligibility. Eligibility depends on membership service (some claimed service, LWOP and sick leave do not count) and on 'last five years are membership service' for the 25-year rule. The calculator asks for membership service separately and assumes the last five years were membership service.

The calculator asks for membership service separately (blank means all of it), and assumes your last five years were membership service unless you untick that box.

What would settle it: The member's DRB annual statement or online account (service breakdown).