Of the 50 states we cover so far, 22 states have a rule that adds your age and years of service together (like a Rule of 80) in at least one tier (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming). The others use age and years of service, or years of service at any age.
This is an independent summary, not affiliated with or endorsed by any retirement system. Each answer comes from that state's own published sources, cited in the table. It covers the main teacher plan in each state; your own tier or employer can change the answer. Always confirm with your retirement system before you decide anything.
Covers all 50 states. "Not covered yet" means our data for that state doesn't settle the question yet. "Check with" means the sources leave a point open.
At a glance
- Has an age-plus-service rule 20: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming
- Age and years of service 26: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
- Check with the system 4: Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island
State by state
| State | Full (unreduced) benefit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaTRS of Alabama | Age and years of service Tier 1: age 60 with 10 years, or 25 years at any age. Tier 2: age 62 with 10 years. | TRS Member Handbook (7-2026), p. 17; Ala. Code Section 16-25-14(a)(1), (a)(4)Alabama guide → |
| AlaskaAlaska TRS | Age and years of service Age 55 (Tier I) or 60 (Tier II) once vested, or 20 years of Alaska TRS service at any age. | TRS Information Handbook (2011), p. 17, Minimum Requirements for Age-Based Retirement; TRS Retirement Process handout (Jan. 6, 2025), slide 5Alaska guide → |
| ArizonaASRS | Has an age-plus-service rule Joined before July 2011: 65, 62 with 10 years, or Rule of 80 (age + years = 80). Since then: 65, 62 with 10, 60 with 25 or 55 with 30. | ASRS Retirement Eligibility page, table; ASRS Employer Basics 2025, p. 8; A.R.S. 38-711(27)(a)Arizona guide → |
| ArkansasATRS | Age and years of service 28 years of service at any age, or age 60 once vested. | ATRS Member Handbook 2026-2027, p. 21; p. 5Arkansas guide → |
| CaliforniaCalSTRS | Age and years of service Age 60 if you're in 2% at 60 (hired before 2013), or 62 if you're in 2% at 62. | Member Handbook 2026, p. 133, Glossary: Normal retirement ageCalifornia guide → |
| ColoradoColorado PERA | Has an age-plus-service rule Depends on hire date. Older members: a Rule of 80 to 90 (age + years). Joined 2020 or later: 35 years at any age, 64 with 30, or 65 with 5. | C.R.S. 24-51-602(1)(a), (a.5), (c) (Colorado PERA Law, 2025 ed., pp. 78-79); Your PERA Benefits (rev. Apr. 2026), p. 6Colorado guide → |
| ConnecticutConnecticut TRB | Age and years of service Age 60 with 20 years of Connecticut service, or 35 years at any age (at least 25 in Connecticut). | CTRS Active Teachers' Handbook (July 1, 2022), p. 23, Normal Retirement Benefit; C.G.S. § 10-183f(a) (2025 rev.)Connecticut guide → |
| DelawareSEPP | Age and years of service Hired 2012 or later: 65 with 10 years, 60 with 20, or 30 years at any age. Hired before 2012: 62 with 5, 60 with 15, or 30 years. | SEPP Summary Plan Description (2026), p. 18, Table 2; SEPP Retirement Planning (Aug. 4, 2026), slide 7Delaware guide → |
| FloridaFRS | Age and years of service Enrolled before July 2011: 62 once vested, or 30 years. Enrolled since: 65 once vested, or 33 years at any age. | Member Handbook (2026 ed.), p. 45, Normal RetirementFlorida guide → |
| GeorgiaTRS of Georgia | Age and years of service 30 years of service at any age, or age 60 with 10 years. | Member's Guide 06/26, p. 5, Eligibility for Retirement BenefitsGeorgia guide → |
| HawaiiHawaii ERS | Age and years of service Hybrid plan, joined after June 2012: 65 with 10 years, or 60 with 30. Joined before: 62 with 5, or 55 with 30. | Hawaii ERS Hybrid Retirement Information (Oct. 2026), p. 3Hawaii guide → |
| IdahoPERSI | Has an age-plus-service rule Age 65 with 5 years, or the Rule of 90 (age + years = 90, from age 55). | HB pp. 23-24; Early Retirement brochure (01/14), p. 4Idaho guide → |
| IllinoisTRS Illinois | Age and years of service Tier 1: 62 with 5 years, 60 with 10, or 55 with 35. Tier 2: age 67 with 10 years. | Tier 2 Member Guide (Sept. 2026), p. 18, EligibilityIllinois guide → |
| IndianaTRF | Has an age-plus-service rule Age 65 with 10 years, 60 with 15, or the Rule of 85 (age + years = 85, from age 55). | Hybrid Handbook 07/01/2025, p. 29, §7.1Indiana guide → |
| IowaIPERS | Has an age-plus-service rule Age 65, age 62 with 20 years, or the Rule of 88 (age + years = 88, from age 55). | IPERS Member Handbook (Updated July 2025), p. 35, Normal Retirement AgeIowa guide → |
| KansasKPERS | Has an age-plus-service rule KPERS 1: 65 with 1 year, 62 with 10, or age + years = 85. KPERS 2 and 3: 65 with 5 years, or 60 with 30. | KPERS 1 & 2 Membership Guide (rev. 2/26), p. 12, When Can You Retire? ('Age 65 with 1 year of service ... Age 62 with 10 years of service ... Age + Years of Service = 85 points'); KPERS Pre-Retirement Planning Guide for KPERS 1 & 2 (1/25), p. 6; KPERS 1 & 2 Pre-Retirement Webinar slides, slide 10; KPERS Actuarial Valuation as of Dec. 31, 2025 (July 16, 2026), p. 151; K.S.A. 74-4914(1); K.S.A. 74-4937(1) (school employment); KPERS Budget Narrative FY 2027 (Sept. 30, 2025), PDF p. 6Kansas guide → |
| KentuckyTRS of Kentucky | Age and years of service TRS 1-3: 27 years at any age, or 60 with five. TRS 4: 57 with 30 years, 60 with 10, or 65 with five. | KRS 161.600(2)(a)-(c); TRS 4 SPD (Jan. 2022), p. 13Kentucky guide → |
| LouisianaTRSL | Age and years of service Depends on hire date. Joined 1999-2010: 60 with 5 years, 55 with 25, or 30 years. Joined July 2015 or later: 62 with 5. | TRSL Member Handbook (Apr. 2026), p. 13; R.S. 11:761(A)(3)-(4)Louisiana guide → |
| MaineMainePERS | Age and years of service At your normal retirement age (60, 62 or 65) with 5 years of service. Retiring sooner with 25 years is reduced. | MainePERS Teacher Member Handbook (2026), p. 15Maine guide → |
| MarylandTPS | Has an age-plus-service rule Newest plan (RCPB): 65 with 10 years, or age + years = 90. ACPS: 62 with 5 years, or 30 years at any age. | RCPB Handbook p. 18, Service Retirement; Welcome PDF p. 1; SPP §23-401(f)Maryland guide → |
| MassachusettsMTRS | Age and years of service No single full-benefit age. Your age factor grows each year and tops out at 2.5% at 65 (Tier 1) or 67 (Tier 2). Massachusetts has no separate early-retirement penalty; retiring younger means a smaller age factor. | Booklet p. 34, Option A age factor table; M.G.L. c. 32, § 10(1)Massachusetts guide → |
| MichiganMPSERS | Age and years of service MIP: 30 years at any age, or 60 with 10 years. Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2: 60 with 10 years. | ORS web page 'Qualifying for Your Pension' (saved 2026-11-12), MIP Members; Planning Your Retirement (R0613C Rev. 5/26), p. 4; MCL 38.1343b(a)Michigan guide → |
| MinnesotaTRA | Check with TRA Age 65 for all members. Tier I also: 62 with 30 years, or the Rule of 90 (age + years = 90). Some older Tier II members may have a different normal retirement age; our data flags this to confirm with TRA. | Minn. Stat. 354.44, subd. 6(c) (2026)Minnesota guide → |
| MississippiMississippi PERS | Age and years of service Tiers 1-3: 25 years at any age, or 60 once vested. Tiers 4 and 5: 30 years at any age, or 65 once vested. | PERS Member Handbook (rev. Nov. 8, 2024), p. 25; PERS Hybrid Retirement Plan Member Handbook (rev. May 1, 2026), pp. 17-18; Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-111(a), (f), (g) (H.B. 4073 (2026), § 18)Mississippi guide → |
| MissouriPSRS | Has an age-plus-service rule Age 60 with 5 years, 30 years at any age, or the Rule of 80 (age + years = 80). | Handbook 2026-2027, p. 47, Normal Retirement BenefitsMissouri guide → |
| MontanaMontana TRS | Check with Montana TRS Tier One: 60 with 5 years, or 25 years at any age. Tier Two: 60 with 5 years, or 55 with 30. How part-time years count toward the Tier One rule is flagged in our data to confirm with Montana TRS. | MCA 19-20-801(1); Montana TRS web page, Understand Your Benefits; Actuarial Valuation July 1, 2025, p. 48Montana guide → |
| NebraskaNebraska School Retirement System | Has an age-plus-service rule Age 65 once vested, or the Rule of 85 (age + years = 85) from age 55. Tier Four: from age 60. | NPERS School Handbook (rev. 07/2026), pp. 32-33, Rule of 85Nebraska guide → |
| NevadaNevada PERS | Age and years of service Enrolled since July 2015: 65 with 5 years, 62 with 10, 55 with 30, or 33 1/3 at any age. Before 2010: 30 years at any age. | Nevada PERS Summary Plan Description for Regular Members (REV 8/25), pp. 3-4; NRS 286.510(1)(c)Nevada guide → |
| New HampshireNHRS | Age and years of service Hired before July 2011 (Tiers A and B): age 60, any years of service. Hired since (Tier C): age 65. | NHRS web page 'Service Retirement: Group I Tier C' (saved Nov. 12, 2026); NHRS Group I Summary, Tier C (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1; RSA 100-A:5, I(a)New Hampshire guide → |
| New JerseyTPAF | Age and years of service Age 60 for Tiers 1 and 2, 62 for Tiers 3 and 4, 65 for Tier 5. No minimum service at that age. | Guidebook p. 25, Service Retirement; N.J.S.A. 18A:66-43New Jersey guide → |
| New MexicoNMERB | Has an age-plus-service rule Tier 1: 25 years, Rule of 75 (age + years = 75), or 65 with 5. Tiers 2-4: 30 years, Rule of 80, or 67 with 5. | NMERB Member Handbook 2025, pp. 13-14, TIERS 2, 3 and 4New Mexico guide → |
| New YorkNYSTRS | Age and years of service Tier 6: age 63, or 58 with 30 years. Tiers 2-4: age 62, or 30 years of service. Tier 1: age 55, or 35 years. | NYSTRS Active Members' Handbook (Oct. 2026) pp. 16, 25, 31; NYSTRS 2026 Compilation of Laws, Introduction (Ch. 58 of the Laws of 2026, Part XX: Tier 6 unreduced at 58 with 30 years)New York guide → |
| North CarolinaTSERS | Age and years of service Age 65 with five years, 60 with 25 years, or 30 years at any age. | TSERS Handbook, Qualifying for Benefits (modified 01/03/2025), Service Retirement (Unreduced Benefit)North Carolina guide → |
| North DakotaTFFR | Has an age-plus-service rule Age 65 once vested. Earlier: Tier 1 Grandfathered, age + years = 85. Others: age + years = 90, from age 60. | TFFR Member Handbook (5/7/2026), p. 17, Eligibility For Benefit; NDCC 15-39.1-10(1)North Dakota guide → |
| OhioSTRS Ohio | Age and years of service Through May 2035: 32 years at any age, or 65 with 5 years. The years needed rise to 33, then 34, after that. | Plan Summary 2026|2027, pp. 4-5 and 14-15; Plans of Payment (DB) 2026|2027, p. 1; Eligibility Requirements web pageOhio guide → |
| OklahomaTRS of Oklahoma | Has an age-plus-service rule Joined before July 1992: 62, or age + years = 80. Joined since Nov. 2011: 65, or age + years = 90 from age 60. | TRS Member Handbook (July 1, 2025), p. 10; 70 O.S. § 17-101(22)(b)Oklahoma guide → |
| OregonOregon PERS | Check with Oregon PERS Tier One: 58, or 30 years at any age. Tier Two: 60, or 30 years. OPSRP: 65, or 58 with 30 years. How the OPSRP years are counted for school employees is flagged in our data to confirm with PERS. | PERS Tier One/Tier Two Preretirement Guide (June 2026), p. 9; PERS OPSRP Preretirement Guide (June 2026), p. 6Oregon guide → |
| PennsylvaniaPSERS | Has an age-plus-service rule Depends on class. T-E and T-F: 65 with 3 years, or age + years = 92 with 35 years. Newest (T-H): 67 with 3 years. | Active Member Handbook, p. 19; PSERS web page Leaving Employment (Nov. 2026)Pennsylvania guide → |
| Rhode IslandERSRI | Check with ERSRI Social Security full retirement age (no later than 67) with 5 years, or the Rule of 95 (age + years = 95) from 62. The statute and the handbook word the Rule of 95 differently; our data flags this to confirm with ERSRI. | ERSRI Member Handbook (10th ed., June 2020), p. 18, Rule of 95Rhode Island guide → |
| South CarolinaSCRS | Has an age-plus-service rule Class Three: age 65, or the Rule of 90 (age + years = 90), with eight years. Class Two: 28 years, or 65 with five. | SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 16, Class Three member: Normal retirement, ExampleSouth Carolina guide → |
| South DakotaSDRS | Has an age-plus-service rule Foundation members: 65, or the Rule of 85 (age + years = 85) from age 55. Generational members: age 67. | SDRS Class A Foundation Handbook (July 2024), pp. 10, 12; SDRS Class A Generational Handbook (July 2024), p. 10South Dakota guide → |
| TennesseeTCRS | Has an age-plus-service rule Hybrid Plan: 65 with five years, or the Rule of 90 (age + years = 90). Legacy Plan: 60 once vested, or 30 years. | Hybrid Member Guide rev. 07/2024, p. 6, Service Retirement EligibilityTennessee guide → |
| TexasTRS | Has an age-plus-service rule Age 65 with 5 years, or the Rule of 80 (age + years = 80, with 5 years). Tier 1: any age. Tiers 5 and 6: from age 62. | TRS Benefits Handbook (September 2025), p. 26, Tier 1 > Normal-Age Retirement EligibilityTexas guide → |
| UtahURS | Age and years of service Tier 1: age 65, or 30 years at any age. Tier 2 Hybrid: 65 with 4 years, or 35 years at any age. | URS Tier 1 Noncontributory Highlights (2026-27), p. 15; Utah Code 49-13-401, 49-13-402(2)Utah guide → |
| VermontVSTRS | Has an age-plus-service rule Group C #2: 65, or the rule of 90 (age + years = 90). Group A: age 60 or 30 years of service. | VSTRS Group C #2 handout (2012), p. 1, Normal Retirement; 16 V.S.A. § 1937(a)(3)Vermont guide → |
| VirginiaVRS | Has an age-plus-service rule Plan 2 and Hybrid: Social Security full retirement age with five years, or the Rule of 90 (age + years = 90). Plan 1: 65, or 50 with 30. | VRS Plan 2 Handbook VRSHB-2 07-2026, p. 14; Hybrid Handbook HybridHB 07-2026, p. 16, Unreduced RetirementVirginia guide → |
| WashingtonWashington TRS | Age and years of service Plan 1: 30 years at any age, 55 with 25, or 60 with 5. Plans 2 and 3: age 65 (5 to 10 years to qualify). | DRS TRS Plan 1 page (retrieved 2026-11-11), Service retirement; RCW 41.32.480; WAC 415-02-320(2)(b)(iii)Washington guide → |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia TRS | Age and years of service Tier I: 60 with 5 years, 55 with 30, or 35 years at any age. Tier II: 62 with 10 years. | TRS Tier I brochure (Sept. 2023), p. 1; W. Va. Code §18-7A-25(a), (b)West Virginia guide → |
| WisconsinWRS | Age and years of service Age 65, or 57 with 30 years of creditable service. | ET-2119 (6/18/2026), p. 3, If You Are Vested and Have Reached Minimum Retirement AgeWisconsin guide → |
| WyomingWyoming RS | Has an age-plus-service rule Age 60 (Tier 1) or 65 (Tier 2) once vested, or the Rule of 85 (age + years = 85) at any age. | WRS Public Employee Pension Plan Handbook (Updated August 2026), p. 11, Retirement Eligibility Ages; W.S. 9-3-415(a)Wyoming guide → |
What this means
Most states let you retire earlier than "normal" with a permanent cut to your pension. This page shows the full-benefit rule only. Your state's guide shows the early-retirement rules and the size of the cut.
A points rule (for example, a Rule of 80) means your age plus your years of service must reach that number. Many states have different rules for newer hires, so your tier matters.
Questions
At what age can teachers retire with a full pension?
It depends on the state and often on when you were hired. The table shows each state's full-benefit rule from its own sources.
What is the Rule of 80?
Your age plus your years of service must add up to at least 80. Some states use a different total, and some add a minimum age. The table shows each state's own rule.
Sources: each state's own handbook, statute or system publication, cited in its row. Last checked Nov. 12, 2026. Found an error? Tell us.