We use 12 ASRS documents, saved from www.azasrs.gov on November 12, 2026. Where ASRS states a rule, its document is the first cite, with the page, slide or table. The Arizona Revised Statutes (Title 38, Chapter 5, Article 2, and A.R.S. 43-1022 for taxes) are the second cite, and the only cite where ASRS's documents are silent. Where the two differ, we say so below.
We did not have a full ASRS member handbook. 9 points that no document settles are still marked "Check with ASRS"; they are listed below.
| ASRS document | What we use it for |
|---|---|
| ASRS Employer Basics 2025 handbook (Basics Handbook, Mar. 2025) Footer 'EMPLOYER BASICS 2025'; PDF modified Apr. 9, 2026 | Eligibility, the multiplier, average pay, service credit, the benefit start date, refunds, survivor and premium benefit rules, and ASRS's phone numbers. |
| ASRS New Member Guide Version 4.26.2026 (PDF created May 11, 2026) | Contributions, refund choices, the pre-retirement survivor benefit, Social Security, the 65+ waiver, and ASRS's answer on cost-of-living raises. |
| ASRS Fact Sheet Revised 12/24/2025 | This year's and next year's contribution rates, and ASRS's phone number. |
| ASRS Basics for Employers, Session 1: Intro to ASRS (slides) Mar. 2025 | The membership-date table and ASRS's own benefit example (21 years, $2,800). |
| ASRS Basics for Employers, Session 3: Service Verification, Refunding, Retiring, Return to Work (slides) Mar. 2025 | Buying service, forfeited service, the start date, and return-to-work rules. |
| ASRS Basics for Employers, Session 4: Health Insurance Premium Benefit (slides) Mar. 2025 | How contributions split, and the two-single-or-one-family premium benefit example. |
| 2025 ASRS Employer Conference: Health Insurance Premium Benefit (slides) 2025 | Premium benefit paid only for full months. |
| ASRS Application for Re-Retirement Benefit Revised 08/29/2023 | The payment options, the married-member rule, the partial lump sum, and reretirement. |
| ASRS web page: Retirement Eligibility Web page | Normal and early retirement by membership date, and the average-pay windows. |
| ASRS web page: Return to Work Web page | Working after retirement: the 20/20 line, the 365-day rule, and early retirees. |
| ASRS web page: Retiree Health Insurance Premium Benefit and Optional Health Insurance Premium Benefit Web page | The premium benefit table and who qualifies. |
| ASRS web page: Estimate Your Benefits Web page | The graded multiplier table, the wage replacement table, and ASRS's early-retirement factors. |
- 1
Find your rules
Your ASRS membership date puts you in one of three groups: before January 1, 1984, January 1, 1984 to June 30, 2011, or July 1, 2011 and later. The group sets your normal retirement rules and how early cuts are measured.
ASRS Retirement Eligibility page, 'Changes in law over time' table; A.R.S. 38-711(5)(a); ASRS Retirement Eligibility page, 'Changes in law over time' table; A.R.S. 38-711(5)(b); ASRS Retirement Eligibility page, 'Changes in law over time' table; A.R.S. 38-711(5)(c) - 2
Project your service
We add the time from today to your retirement date to the service you enter, one month of service per calendar month. ASRS counts service in months too, but gives school employees a full year after nine months.
ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 9; A.R.S. 38-739 - 3
Pick the multiplier
Your total service picks one multiplier from ASRS's Graded Multiplier Table, and it applies to all your years.
ASRS Estimate Your Benefits page, Graded Multiplier Table; ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 9; A.R.S. 38-757(B)(1)(a)-(d) - 4
Apply the formula
Years of credited service × multiplier × average monthly compensation. We take your average yearly pay and divide by 12.
ASRS Estimate Your Benefits page, Benefit Formula; ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 8; A.R.S. 38-757(B) - 5
Check eligibility
We test your age and service on the retirement date against the normal retirement rules for your group, and the early-retirement minimum.
ASRS Retirement Eligibility page, table; ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 8; A.R.S. 38-711(27)(a); ASRS Retirement Eligibility page, table; ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 8; A.R.S. 38-711(27)(b); ASRS Retirement Eligibility page, table (EARLY: 50 + 5 years); ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 8; A.R.S. 38-758(A); A.R.S. 38-711(11) - 6
Apply any early cut
Before your normal retirement date we cut 5% a year to age 60 and 3% a year after, by whole months, up to the birthday your service sets. For membership from July 1, 2011 this gives ASRS's published factors at every whole age. For earlier membership we follow the law (to 60 with 20+ years, and the smaller cut at 77 to 79 points), which differs from ASRS's simple estimator.
ASRS Estimate Your Benefits page, early retirement factors in the page's estimator; A.R.S. 38-758(C); A.R.S. 38-758(B)(1) - 7
Show payment options and health help
Only the straight life annuity gets a dollar amount: ASRS doesn't publish its option factors. The health premium figures are ASRS's premium benefit table.
ASRS Re-Retirement Application, p. 1 (Section 3); A.R.S. 38-760(A)-(B); A.R.S. 38-711(2), (22); ASRS Premium Benefit page, 'Premium Benefit: Determine Your Amount' table; A.R.S. 38-783(A)-(C)
The rules themselves are explained on the formula, early-retirement and premium benefit pages.
What the calculator doesn't cover
- Your average monthly compensation. We use the number you enter. ASRS figures it from your pay records, with its own rules on what pay counts.
- Joint and survivor, period certain, and partial lump-sum amounts. ASRS doesn't publish the factors.
- Permanent benefit increases after you retire. They depend on each year's investment returns.
- The federal 415(b) benefit limit and pay caps, which affect only very high earners.
- Disability retirement, reretirement after going back to work, and the cost of buying service.
- The $600 minimum for retirees 75 and older with 20+ years of service, and taxes or health premiums taken from your check.
How we check the math
The calculator runs on a small engine that reads every rule from one data file, with an ASRS or statute cite for each rule. Automated tests check each rule's edges (the membership-date cutoffs, the multiplier bands, the eligibility ages, the early cut at each target birthday) and every example ASRS publishes: its 21-year benefit example, its wage replacement table, its premium benefit table, and its early-retirement factors. The tests run every time the site is built.
ASRS's early-retirement factors: 80 of 80 published factors (ages 50 to 65, 5 service columns) match our engine for membership from July 1, 2011. ASRS Estimate Your Benefits page, estimator script
| Example | Expected | Our engine | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASRS's example: 21 years × 2.15% × $2,800 | $1,264.20 | $1,264.20 | ASRS Session 1, slide 21; A.R.S. 38-757(B) Match |
| 30 years × 2.30% × $5,000 average monthly compensation | $3,450.00 | $3,450.00 | A.R.S. 38-757(B) Match |
| 19 years × 2.10% × $5,000 | $1,995.00 | $1,995.00 | A.R.S. 38-757(B)(1) Match |
| 20 years × 2.15% × $5,000 | $2,150.00 | $2,150.00 | A.R.S. 38-757(B)(1) Match |
| Early cut: membership from July 1, 2011, age 57, 26 years | 21% | 21% | ASRS Estimate Your Benefits page, early retirement factors (age 57: 0.79); A.R.S. 38-758(C) Match |
Still unconfirmed
ASRS's documents and the statute don't settle these points. Each is labeled "Check with ASRS" where it shows up on the site. Here's what we do about each one.
If your membership began before July 1, 2011 and you have 20 or more years, the law measures an early cut to age 60. The simple estimator on ASRS's website measures it to 62 for everyone, which gives a bigger cut.
We follow the law (to 60, and the 77-79 points rule). Your myASRS estimate is the one to trust.
ASRS Estimate Your Benefits page, early retirement factors; A.R.S. 38-758(B)If your membership began before July 1, 2011 and your age plus service is 77 to 79, the law gives two ways to reduce an early benefit. ASRS's publications do not say which one it uses when both apply.
We use whichever reduction is smaller, and say so in your results.
A.R.S. 38-758(B)ASRS publishes its early-retirement factors by whole age (50, 51, 52 ...). It does not say how part of a year is counted.
We count whole months: one-twelfth of the yearly rate for each full month before the target birthday.
ASRS Estimate Your Benefits page, early retirement factors; A.R.S. 38-758(B)(1), (C)ASRS's example is age 57 plus 23 years of service equals 80 points. Neither ASRS nor the law says how part of a year of age counts.
We count your age in whole months.
ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 8; A.R.S. 38-711(27)(a)(iii)Survivor, period-certain and partial lump-sum options are worked out from your age and your beneficiary's age. Neither ASRS's publications nor the law print the factors.
We do not show dollar amounts for these options. Ask ASRS for an estimate that uses your beneficiary's age.
ASRS Re-Retirement Application, p. 1; A.R.S. 38-760(B); A.R.S. 38-711(2)ASRS tells new members they will not get a cost-of-living adjustment. The law keeps a separate increase for members who joined before an amendment date, but the law page does not give that date.
We explain how the increase works but do not say whether you qualify, and we do not project increases.
ASRS New Member Guide, pp. 6, 8; A.R.S. 38-767(A)ASRS gives school employees a full year of service after nine months of contributions, with no more than one year in a fiscal year.
The calculator adds service at one month per calendar month from today, so a school employee may reach a milestone a few months sooner than shown. Your ASRS statement has the real figure.
ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 9; A.R.S. 38-739For membership before 1984, ASRS's eligibility page says the average is the higher of 36 or 60 months, and its employer handbook says 60 months.
The calculator uses the average pay you enter. It does not pick the averaging window for you.
ASRS Retirement Eligibility page; ASRS Employer Basics 2025, pp. 9, 24; A.R.S. 38-711(5)(a)Where ASRS and the law differ
- Early reduction for membership before July 1, 2011. A.R.S. 38-758(B)(1) measures the cut to age 60 with 20+ years and offers the 77-79 points alternative. The early factors in ASRS's Estimate Your Benefits estimator use one set for every membership date (to 62 with 10+ years), e.g. 0.44 at age 50 with 20 years where the statute gives 0.50. ASRS's factors are used and cited for membership on or after July 1, 2011, where they match the statute. For earlier membership the engine keeps the statute and the pages say ASRS's simple estimator differs (needsValidation 'pre2011-asrs-estimator').
- Pre-1984 average monthly compensation. ASRS's Retirement Eligibility page (and A.R.S. 38-711(5)(a)): the higher of the 36- or 60-month average. ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 9: 'Highest 60 months, includes termination pay'. The Retirement Eligibility page is ASRS's member-facing rule and agrees with the statute, so it is used; the Basics wording is recorded here (needsValidation 'pre1984-amc-scope').
- Cost-of-living increases. ASRS New Member Guide pp. 6, 8: no cost-of-living adjustment. A.R.S. 38-767 still provides a permanent benefit increase from excess earnings for members whose membership began before an amendment date the law page does not show. Pages lead with ASRS's answer (no COLA) and describe 38-767 as the law's separate, limited increase (needsValidation 'pbi-amendment-date').
- Pre-retirement survivor benefit wording. ASRS New Member Guide p. 4: 'double your contributions, including accrued interest'. ASRS Employer Basics 2025 p. 14 and A.R.S. 38-762: member and employer contributions, service purchase payments, plus interest. Not a real difference (employers match member contributions). Pages use the Basics wording.
- Purchase cap date. Membership groups split at July 1, 2011, but the 5-year purchase caps start at membership dates on or after July 20, 2011. Settled: ASRS Session 3 (slides 7-8) uses July 20, 2011, as the statute does.
- New Member Guide file name. Saved as asrs-new-member-guide-2024-05.pdf, but the document says 'Version 4.26.2026' and the PDF was created May 11, 2026. Cited by the version printed on the document.
Sources
- ASRS Employer Basics 2025 handbook (Basics Handbook, Mar. 2025) Footer 'EMPLOYER BASICS 2025'; PDF modified Apr. 9, 2026; saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS New Member Guide Version 4.26.2026 (PDF created May 11, 2026); saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026. The file name the coordinator assigned says 2024-05; the document itself says Version 4.26.2026.
- ASRS Fact Sheet Revised 12/24/2025; saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS Basics for Employers, Session 1: Intro to ASRS (slides) Mar. 2025; saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS Basics for Employers, Session 3: Service Verification, Refunding, Retiring, Return to Work (slides) Mar. 2025; saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS Basics for Employers, Session 4: Health Insurance Premium Benefit (slides) Mar. 2025; saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- 2025 ASRS Employer Conference: Health Insurance Premium Benefit (slides) 2025; saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS Application for Re-Retirement Benefit Revised 08/29/2023; saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS web page: Retirement Eligibility saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS web page: Return to Work saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS web page: Retiree Health Insurance Premium Benefit and Optional Health Insurance Premium Benefit saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- ASRS web page: Estimate Your Benefits saved by the user on Nov. 12, 2026
- Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 38, Chapter 5, Article 2 (Arizona State Retirement System), A.R.S. 38-711 to 38-794 azleg.gov section pages (Arizona Legislative Council, Creation Date 09/09/26 on the pages checked); downloaded Nov. 11, 2026
- Arizona Revised Statutes 43-1022 (Subtractions from Arizona gross income) azleg.gov page, Creation Date 09/10/26; downloaded Nov. 11, 2026
- Arizona Revised Statutes 38-702 (Social Security federal-state agreement), Title 38, Ch. 5, Art. 1 azleg.gov page, Creation Date 09/09/26; downloaded Nov. 11, 2026
Cites name the ASRS document and its page, slide or table first, then the statute section, for example "ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 9; A.R.S. 38-757(B)(1)". Last reviewed Nov. 12, 2026.
Source: ASRS Employer Basics 2025 handbook, March 2025 edition, saved Nov. 12, 2026; with other ASRS publications and the Arizona Revised Statutes, pp. 8, 9, 24, 38. Also ASRS New Member Guide, pp. 3, 5, 6, 8. Also ASRS Fact Sheet. Also ASRS Basics for Employers, Session 1: Intro to ASRS (slides), slides 21, 37. Also ASRS Basics for Employers, Session 4: Health Insurance Premium Benefit (slides), p. 6. Also ASRS Application for Re-Retirement Benefit, p. 1. Also ASRS web page: Retirement Eligibility. Also ASRS web page: Return to Work. Also ASRS web page: Retiree Health Insurance Premium Benefit and Optional Health Insurance Premium Benefit. Also ASRS web page: Estimate Your Benefits. Also A.R.S. 38-711, 38-736, 38-737, 38-739, 38-746, 38-757, 38-758, 38-760, 38-766, 38-766.01, 38-767, 38-768, 38-769, 38-783 (Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 38, Ch. 5, Art. 2). Also A.R.S. 38-702 (Social Security agreement). Last reviewed .
ASRS says most members also get full Social Security coverage, through their employer's own agreement. Not every employer has one.
We do not say whether your job is covered. Look for Social Security tax on your pay stub or ask your district.
ASRS New Member Guide, p. 3; ASRS Session 1, slide 37; A.R.S. 38-702(B)(3)-(5)