Check with PERSIEstimate only, not an official benefit amount. Confirm with PERSI (800-451-8228) before you decide.
Your estimated monthly benefit
Fill in the form and we'll show your monthly benefit, whether you reach age 65 or the Rule of 90, any early-retirement cut, your payment options in dollars, your first cost-of-living increase, what working longer adds, and the rules for going back to work.
Your two ways to a full benefit
Your early-retirement cut
Start as planned, or work longer?
Your benefit at every age
Your cost-of-living increases
Going back to work
Every payment option amount and early-retirement cut is labeled "Check with PERSI": PERSI's factor tables were removed from its rules on July 1, 2024. See Payment options.
PERSI's own example
PERSI's Member Handbook shows a sample retirement estimate. Load it into the calculator: born May 5, 1972, starting June 1, 2027, with 319 months on a $3,883.86 average monthly salary.
- PERSI shows a Regular allowance of $1,350.46; our calculator gives $1,350.46.
- Option 1 (100% to the annuitant): PERSI $1,165.45; ours $1,165.45. Option 3 before Social Security age: PERSI $1,926.46; ours $1,926.46. Check with PERSI
Common questions
How is a PERSI pension calculated?
Your average monthly salary (your highest 42 months in a row) times 2% times your months of service, divided by 12. That's the monthly Regular allowance. An early-retirement cut comes off that.
When can an Idaho teacher retire with a full PERSI benefit?
At 65 with at least 60 months (5 years) of service, or earlier under the Rule of 90: when your age plus your service add up to 90, you're at least 55 and you're vested.
How much does PERSI cut an early retirement?
3% a year for the first 5 years and 5.75% a year after that, counted by the month. PERSI uses whichever is smaller: the time to 65 or the time you're short of 90. The deepest cut, ten years early, is 43.75%.
Does PERSI have a cost-of-living increase?
Yes. The Postretirement Allowance Adjustment (PAA) takes effect each March 1. PERSI gives at least 1% when prices rise 1% or more, and the Board can give up to 6%.
Can I use my sick leave in retirement?
School employees can: half of your unused sick leave becomes an account PERSI uses to pay your retiree insurance premiums. There's no cash option.
Is this the official PERSI calculator?
No. This is an unofficial estimate built from the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho's Member Handbook and its other publications. It isn't affiliated with PERSI. PERSI can give you an official estimate; its phone number is 800-451-8228.
Compare Idaho with other states
- States where teachers don't get Social Security: PERSI says you pay Social Security tax on Choice Plan savings, and treats your pension and Social Security as separate income.
- Teacher DROP plans by state
- Teacher pension COLAs by state: Each March 1: 1% if prices (CPI-U) rose 1% or more. The Board may give more, up to the CPI-U or 6%.
- State taxes on teacher pensions, by state: PERSI benefits are generally subject to Idaho income tax.
- Teacher pension multipliers by state: 2% × years of service × your average monthly pay over your highest 42 months in a row.
- Teacher retirement age by state: Age 65 with 5 years, or the Rule of 90 (age + years = 90, from age 55).
Plain-English guides
How your pension works
Your PERSI planGeneral members of the Base Plan, contribution rates, vesting at 60 months, and the Choice 401(k) Plan.→The benefit formulaAverage monthly salary x 2% x years, the 42-month average, the benefit cap and when the benefit is full.→Rule of 90 and early retirementRetiring from 55, the 3% and 5.75% yearly cuts, the month-by-month factor table and PERSI's examples.→Buying service creditUp to 48 months for vested members, paid in the 90 days before you retire, at full cost.→PERSI glossaryPlain-English definitions of the Rule of 90, the PAA, contingent annuitant and more.→
Planning your exit
After you retire
Working after retirementThe 90-day rule for early retirees, the 20-hour, 5-month limit, and the teacher exception.→The PAA (COLA)The 1% minimum, up to 6% at the Board's discretion, the 2026 multipliers and first-year proration.→Sick leave for retiree insuranceHalf of a school employee's unused sick leave pays retiree insurance premiums.→Death and survivor benefitsThe double death benefit before retirement, what each option leaves after, and disability.→
More calculators
About this site
These pages cover general members of the PERSI Base Plan, which includes teachers and other school employees. Member Handbook (2019), p. 9; Plan Comparison Chart (01/07/2026); PERSI FY2025 Financial Statements Note 1, pp. 17-18 Eligible employees of Idaho's state universities and community colleges may choose a defined contribution plan instead of PERSI. Member Handbook (2019), p. 9; PERSI FY2025 Financial Statements Note 1, p. 20
Source: PERSI Member Handbook, Handbook revision July 2019, pp. 9, 10, 13, 22, 23-24, 25, 29. Also: PERSI ACFR (FY2024); PERSI Financial Statements (FY2025); Early Retirement brochure (01/14); PERSI Withdrawing Funds flyer (Nov. 2021); PERSI PAA notices and web page; PERSI Plan Comparison Chart (2026). Last reviewed .