The one question
On or after July 1, 2011: you're in the RCPB (Reformed Contributory Pension Benefit).
The Teachers' Pension System has four components. Members enrolled before July 1, 2011 (active on June 30, 2006 or enrolled after June 30, 2006 and before July 1, 2011) are in the Alternate Contributory Pension Selection (ACPS). Members enrolled on or after July 1, 2011 are in the Reformed Contributory Pension Benefit (RCPB). A former ACPS member who returns on or after July 1, 2011 stays in the ACPS if vested before July 1, 2011 (and has not withdrawn or retired), separated four years or less, or separated for USERRA military service; otherwise the member is in the RCPB. The Non-Contributory Pension Benefit (separated before July 1, 1998) and Contributory Pension Benefit (separated before June 30, 2006) are legacy components. ACPS Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered), Does this Handbook Apply to Me?, and p. 1; RCPB Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered) and p. 1; ACFR FY2025 p. 164
Side by side
| ACPS | RCPB | |
|---|---|---|
| You joined | Enrolled before July 1, 2011 | Enrolled on or after July 1, 2011 |
| Each year of service earns | 1.2% (to June 1998), then 1.8% | 1.5% |
| Average pay used | Highest 3 years in a row | Highest 5 years in a row |
| Full pension | 62 with 5 years, or 30 years at any age | 65 with 10 years, or age + service = 90 |
| Early (reduced) pension | 55 with 15 years, cut 0.5% a month before 62 (up to 42%) | 60 with 15 years, cut 0.5% a month before 65 (up to 30%) |
| Vested after | 5 years | 10 years |
| COLA cap | 3% on service before July 2011; 2.5% or 1% after | 2.5%, or 1% in years the fund misses its return |
Both plans take 7% of your pay. ACPS Handbook p. 4, Member Contributions; RCPB Handbook p. 4; ACFR FY2025 p. 164
If you left and came back
- If you joined the TPS before July 1, 2011, you are in the Alternate Contributory Pension Selection (ACPS). If you joined on or after July 1, 2011, you are in the Reformed Contributory Pension Benefit (RCPB). Your Personal Statement of Benefits (top of page two) and mySRPS both show which one you're in.ACPS Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered), Does this Handbook Apply to Me?; RCPB Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered)
- If you were in the ACPS, left, and came back on or after July 1, 2011, you stay in the ACPS if you were vested before July 1, 2011 (and didn't withdraw or retire), were gone four years or less, or were away for military service covered by USERRA. Otherwise you come back under the RCPB.ACPS Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered), footnote 1
In our calculator, open "More details" and set the plan yourself if this applies to you.
Older plans and other systems
Some members have pieces of older formulas. These only matter if you left long ago:
- Contributory Pension Benefit (CPB): Members employed as of July 1, 1998 who separated before June 30, 2006. 1.4% x AFC x creditable service on or after July 1, 1998, plus the greater of 1.2% x AFC x service through June 30, 1998 or the Non-Contributory formula for that service. ACPS Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered), Does this Handbook Apply to Me?; SPP §23-401(c)
- Non-Contributory Pension Benefit (NCPS): Members employed on or after Jan. 1, 1980 who separated before July 1, 1998. 0.8% of AFC up to the Social Security Integration Level plus 1.5% of AFC above it, per year of creditable service. The SSIL is the average of the Social Security wage bases over the 35 calendar years before retirement. ACPS Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered); ACFR FY2025 p. 164; SPP §23-401(b); §20-101(nn); §29-303(f)
The closed Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
Closed to new members hired on or after Jan. 1, 1980. Members on Dec. 31, 1979 stay members unless they transferred to the Teachers' Pension System before Jan. 1, 2005. 1/55 of average final compensation (highest 3 years) per year of creditable service; 10 months equals one year for teachers. Normal retirement: 30 years of eligibility service, or age 60. It had 71 active members in fiscal 2025. ACFR FY2025 pp. 160-162; SPP §22-401; §22-402; §29-302(b), (c); §29-403; §29-405; §29-407
Our calculator doesn't estimate TRS benefits. TRS members should ask SRA.
- Optional Retirement Program (ORP): Defined contribution alternative that certain higher-education employees may elect instead of the TPS (SPP Title 30). ACPS Handbook p. 1, Exceptions; ACFR FY2025 p. 163
- Employees' Retirement System of Montgomery County: Professional or clerical employees of the Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries who participate in it are not TPS members. ACPS Handbook p. 1, Exceptions
- Employees' Pension System (EPS): Baltimore City Community College nonfaculty employees hired on or after Oct. 1, 2002 (or who transferred), and other State/local employees; same ACPS/RCPB structure in SPP Title 23. ACPS Handbook pp. 1-2, Exceptions; SPP §23-201
What the handbooks say
- Maryland public school teachers, principals, supervisors, superintendents and school clerks, community college professional and clerical staff, and public library staff are automatically members of the Teachers' Pension System (TPS), run by the Maryland State Retirement Agency.ACPS Handbook p. 1, Eligibility; RCPB Handbook p. 1
- If you joined the TPS before July 1, 2011, you are in the Alternate Contributory Pension Selection (ACPS). If you joined on or after July 1, 2011, you are in the Reformed Contributory Pension Benefit (RCPB). Your Personal Statement of Benefits (top of page two) and mySRPS both show which one you're in.ACPS Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered), Does this Handbook Apply to Me?; RCPB Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered)
- If you were in the ACPS, left, and came back on or after July 1, 2011, you stay in the ACPS if you were vested before July 1, 2011 (and didn't withdraw or retire), were gone four years or less, or were away for military service covered by USERRA. Otherwise you come back under the RCPB.ACPS Handbook PDF p. 3 (unnumbered), footnote 1
- The closed Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) covers only people hired before January 1, 1980 who never moved to the TPS; it had 71 active members in fiscal 2025. Its formula is 1/55 of average final compensation per year, with normal retirement at 60 or 30 years.ACFR p. 160, Teachers' Retirement System; SPP §22-401
- Some higher-education employees can choose the Optional Retirement Program (a defined contribution plan) instead of the TPS.ACPS Handbook p. 1, Exceptions; ACFR p. 163
Questions
How do I know if I'm ACPS or RCPB?
By the date you first joined the TPS: before July 1, 2011 is ACPS, on or after is RCPB. Your Personal Statement of Benefits (top of page two) and mySRPS show it.
I left and came back. Which plan am I in now?
You stay in the ACPS if you were vested before July 1, 2011 (and didn't withdraw or retire), were gone four years or less, or were away for USERRA military service. Otherwise you come back under the RCPB.
Can I choose my plan?
No. It's set by your enrollment date. Some higher-education staff can pick the Optional Retirement Program instead of the TPS.
Source: SRPS Benefits Handbooks: Teachers' Pension System (Alternate Contributory Pension Selection; Reformed Contributory Pension Benefit), Revised April 2021, ACPS Handbook PDF p. 3, pp. 1, 2, 17, 18, 22, 33; RCPB Handbook PDF p. 3, pp. 1, 17, 18, 21, 22, 31; ACFR FY2025 pp. 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 166; SPP §§ 22-401, 22-402, 23-201, 29-302, 29-403, 29-405, 29-407. Last reviewed .