- Each extra year adds a year of service and, until 65 (Tier 1) or 67 (Tier 2), a higher age factor, until you reach the 80% maximum. After that, more years add nothing except through a higher salary average.Ready for Retirement 2026 p. 32 and p. 33, retirement percentage charts; p. 38, Appendix D
- If you're under 65 (Tier 1) or 67 (Tier 2) and have a July or August birthday, retiring on that birthday instead of June 30 gives you a higher age factor for life. During the school year, working to the end of the month earns you that full month of service.Ready for Retirement 2026 p. 38, Appendix D
Tier 1 in RetirementPlus: 28 years at age 56, $85,000 salary average
| Retire at | Service | % of salary | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 56as planned | 28 yrs | 44.8%0.016 | $3,173 |
| Age 571 more year | 29 yrs | 49.3%0.017 | $3,492+$319/mo |
| Age 582 more years | 30 yrs | 66%0.018 + 12% R+ | $4,675+$1,183/mo |
| Age 593 more years | 31 yrs | 72.9%0.019 + 14% R+ | $5,164+$489/mo |
| Age 604 more years | 32 yrs | 80%0.020 + 16% R+ | $5,667+$503/mo |
Tier 2 in RetirementPlus: 29 years at age 60, $70,000 salary average
| Retire at | Service | % of salary | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 60as planned | 29 yrs | 42.05%0.0145 | $2,453 |
| Age 611 more year | 30 yrs | 66.5%0.0175 + 14% R+ | $3,879+$1,426/mo |
| Age 622 more years | 31 yrs | 74.125%0.01875 + 16% R+ | $4,324+$445/mo |
Our engine on MTRS's rules (not MTRS examples): Option A, same salary average each year, so raises would add more. Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 6, p. 7 (RetirementPlus percentage table for Tier 1 members), p. 31, p. 32; M.G.L. c. 32, § 5(4)(ii); Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 34, Option A age factor table; p. 31, Appendix A; M.G.L. c. 32, § 5(2)(a) (second table: members on or after April 2, 2012 with at least 30 years)
In Tier 2 the 30th year does three things: it switches you to the higher 30-year age factor table (0.016 becomes 0.0175 at 61), it starts RetirementPlus (+14%), and your contribution rate drops 3%.
When more years stop helping
Your percentage can't pass 80% of your salary average. Once you're there, another year adds only what a raise does to your average. See the 80% cap. Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 7 (maximum allowance, 80%) and p. 35 (** may not exceed 80 percent); M.G.L. c. 32, § 5(2)(c)
Try your own dates in the calculator: it compares your planned date with one, two and three more years.
Questions
How much does one more year add to an MTRS pension?
Two things at once: a year of service and, until 65 (Tier 1) or 67 (Tier 2), a higher age factor. In our Tier 1 example below, working from 56 to 57 adds $3,825 a year. Reaching 30 years can add the RetirementPlus percentage. At the 80% cap, more years add nothing.
Source: MTRS Ready for Retirement reference guide, 2026, pp. 6, 7, 8, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38. Also: MTRS web page 'Retiring from the MTRS'; M.G.L. c. 32, §§ 5, 10. Last reviewed .