Example: Tier 2, age 62, 25 years
An $85,000 salary average, the same in every row. Our illustration from the TRS Illinois rules.
| Retire | Years | % of avg. | Cut | Monthly | vs. now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 55% | −30% | $2,727 | — |
| 2027 | 26 | 57.2% | −24% | $3,079 | +$352 |
| 2028 | 27 | 59.4% | −18% | $3,450 | +$723 |
| 2029 | 28 | 61.6% | −12% | $3,840 | +$1,113 |
| 2030 | 29 | 63.8% | −6% | $4,248 | +$1,521 |
| 2031 | 30 | 66% | none | $4,675 | +$1,948 |
Example: Tier 1, age 56, 28 years
| Retire | Years | % of avg. | Cut | Monthly | vs. now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 | 61.6% | −24% | $3,316 | — |
| 2027 | 29 | 63.8% | −18% | $3,706 | +$390 |
| 2028 | 30 | 66% | −12% | $4,114 | +$798 |
| 2029 | 31 | 68.2% | −6% | $4,541 | +$1,225 |
| 2030 | 32 | 70.4% | none | $4,987 | +$1,671 |
| 2031 | 33 | 72.6% | none | $5,143 | +$1,826 |
Each row adds one year of age and service. Raises in those years would add more. Tier 2 Guide p. 18, Capping average salary (2.2% x FAS x years); TRS Illinois Tier 2 slides, slide 14, Formula Factor; Tier 1 Guide p. 18, Reduced retirement annuity; Tier 2 Guide p. 18, Reduced retirement annuity
Partial years and sick days
A school year with 170 paid days is a full year. Fewer days count as a fraction: 108 days is 0.635 of a year. Tier 1 Guide p. 8, Regular service
At retirement, unused sick leave adds up to 2 years (340 days). 205 days is 1.206 years. Tier 1 Guide p. 9, Example
What the guides say
- Each extra year of service adds 2.2% of your final average salary, until you reach the 75% maximum.TRS Illinois Tier 2 slides, slides 14, 19
- If you are below the full retirement age (60 for Tier 1 with under 35 years, 67 for Tier 2), working one more year also cuts your early reduction by 6 points.TRS Illinois Tier 2 slides, slide 59
- Service past 34 years does not raise the percentage, but higher salary in those years can still raise your final average salary.TRS Illinois Tier 2 slides, slide 19
- Unused sick leave can add up to 2 years (340 days) of service at retirement. Every 170 days is one year.Tier 1 Guide pp. 8-9, Sick leave
Questions
How much does one more year add?
2.2% of your salary average for the year of service, up to the 75% maximum. If you are under your tier's full-pension age, it also removes 6 points of the early cut.
Does working past 34 years help?
Not the percent: 75% is the top. Higher pay in those years can still raise your salary average.
Do unused sick days count?
Yes. Up to 340 days (2 years). Every 170 days is one year.
Source: TRS Tier 1 and Tier 2 Member Guides, September 2026, Tier 2 Guide p. 18; Tier 2 meeting slides 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 59; Tier 1 Guide pp. 8, 9, 17, 18. Last reviewed .