- Connecticut public school teachers, principals and other certified staff are required to join the Teachers' Retirement System, run by the Connecticut Teachers' Retirement Board. There is one benefit formula for everyone, not tiers.Active Teachers' Handbook (2022), p. 6, Membership with CTRS; pp. 23-28
- Two dates still matter. If you joined on or after July 1, 2007, a different cost-of-living rule applies. If you reached ten years of Connecticut service on or after July 1, 2019, your Plan N death refund is reduced by 50% (not 25%) of benefits paid, and newer option and annuity factor tables apply.C.G.S. § 10-183g(h), (l) (2026 Supp.); Connecticut TRB webpage 'Estimate Your Benefit'; Annuity Bulletin (AI_VOLSUP20_210630), pp. 2, 4
- Staff at the State Board of Education, Office of Early Childhood and the state's higher education system can choose the State Employees' Retirement System or the Alternate Retirement Program instead.Active Teachers' Handbook (2022), pp. 7-8, Waiving Membership
The dates, side by side
| Earlier | Later | |
|---|---|---|
| When you joined | Before July 1, 2007 | On or after July 1, 2007C.G.S. § 10-183g(l)(2) (2026 Supp.); Connecticut TRB webpage 'Cost of Living Adjustments' |
| What it changes | COLA: Social Security's COLA up to 6% (1.5% when the fund earns under 6.9%) | COLA: Social Security's COLA up to 1%, 3% or 5%, depending on the fund's returnActive Teachers' Handbook (2022), pp. 46-48, Cost of Living Adjustments; C.G.S. § 10-183g(j)-(l) (2026 Supp.) |
| When you reached ten Connecticut years | Before July 1, 2019 | On or after July 1, 2019C.G.S. § 10-183g(h)(2)-(3) (2026 Supp.); Active Teachers' Handbook (2022), p. 29, Plan N Single Life Option; Annuity Bulletin (AI_VOLSUP20_210630), pp. 2, 4 |
| What it changes | Plan N death refund less 25% of benefits paid; older Plan C/D and annuity tables | Plan N death refund less 50% of benefits paid; newer Plan C/D and annuity tablesActive Teachers' Handbook (2022), p. 29, Plan N Single Life Option; C.G.S. § 10-183g(h) (2026 Supp.) |
The salary limit for members since 1996
Annual salary may not exceed the IRC 401(a)(17) limit, except for members whose membership began before Jan. 1, 1996 where the limit would cut the salary below what chapter 167a otherwise allows. The dollar limit is not printed in any source saved here. C.G.S. § 10-183b(3) (2026 Supp.)
For members who joined on or after January 1, 1996, salary over a federal limit doesn't count. The sources don't print the dollar limit, so we don't apply it; it only affects very high salaries.
What would settle it: IRS annual limit notice.
Joining in 2026 or later
None found. No source saved here shows a new tier or benefit change for members joining in 2026 or later. Active Teachers' Handbook (2022), pp. 23-31
Who isn't in the Teachers' Retirement System
Professional staff at the State Board of Education, Office of Early Childhood, Board of Regents for Higher Education and its units may choose SERS or ARP instead of the Teachers' Retirement System. Connecticut public K-12 teachers are in the Teachers' Retirement System; no separate city teacher system appears in the sources. Active Teachers' Handbook (2022), pp. 7-8, Waiving Membership
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Questions
Does Connecticut have pension tiers?
No. Every member of the Teachers' Retirement System uses the same formula and the same retirement ages. A few dates change smaller things, such as the COLA rule.
Which dates change my rules?
Joining on or after July 1, 2007 changes your COLA rule. Reaching ten years of Connecticut service on or after July 1, 2019 changes your Plan N death refund and your Plan C and D factors. Joining on or after January 1, 1996 means a federal salary limit applies.
Source: CTRS Active Teachers' Handbook, July 1, 2022, pp. 6, 7-8, 23-31, 23-28, 29. Also: Connecticut TRB webpages 'Cost of Living Adjustments', 'Estimate Your Benefit'; Annuity Bulletin pp. 2, 4; C.G.S. §§ 10-183b, 10-183g. Last reviewed .