Who's in it
RetirementPlus is required for members who joined on or after July 1, 2001; members from before then could elect it. If you're in it, you contribute 11% of your pay. M.G.L. c. 32, § 5(4)(i); Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 6, p. 32, p. 33; MTRS web page 'RetirementPlus (R+) election change chart'; MTRS web page 'Contribution rates explained'; Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 2 (contribution rate table), p. 12 (RetirementPlus 11% for at least five years), p. 31; MTRS web page 'Contribution rates explained'; M.G.L. c. 32, §§ 5(4)(i), 22
What it takes
- 30 years of creditable service.
- At least 20 years of membership service as a teacher in the MTRS or the Boston Retirement System.
- Contributions at 11% for at least five years, or paying the difference before you retire.
- Tier 2 only: age 60. Tier 1 has no minimum age.
If you say you're in RetirementPlus and have 30+ years, we assume at least 20 are MTRS/Boston teaching service and that you have (or will pay for) five years at 11%, unless you enter fewer teaching years.
We assume you meet both unless you enter fewer teaching years.
Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 12 and p. 32; M.G.L. c. 32, § 5(4)(i)-(ii)How much it adds
2% of your salary average for each full year of service over 24 (Tier 1) or 23 (Tier 2). Only whole years count: 32.8 years is 32. Nothing is added below 30 years, so the bonus arrives all at once.
| Full years | Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | +12% | +14% |
| 31 | +14% | +16% |
| 32 | +16% | +18% |
| 33 | +18% | +20% |
| 34 | +20% | +22% |
| 35 | +22% | +24% |
| 36 | +24% | +26% |
| 37 | +26% | +28% |
| 38 | +28% | +30% |
| 39 | +30% | +32% |
| 40 | +32% | +34% |
MTRS's examples
- Tier 1, age 58, 35 years: 0.018 × 35 = 63%, + 22% RetirementPlus = 85%, capped at 80%: $52,000 a year on $65,000. Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 35, Example: Tier 1
- Tier 2, age 60, 30 years: 0.01625 (the 30-year table) × 30 = 48.75%, + 14% = 62.75%: $39,533 a year on $63,000. Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 35, Examples: Tier 2, with 30 years or more
- Tier 2, age 60, 28 years: under 30 years, so no RetirementPlus percentage: 0.0145 × 28 = 40.6%, $24,360 a year on $60,000. Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 35, Examples: Tier 2, with less than 30 years
The 30-year jump
Our illustration, not an MTRS example: a Tier 1 member who joined in 1999 and elected RetirementPlus, 28 years at age 56 on a $85,000 salary average.
| Retire at | Service | % of salary | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 56 | 28 yrs | 44.8% | $38,080 |
| Age 57 | 29 yrs | 49.3% | $41,905 |
| Age 58 | 30 yrs | 66%incl. +12% R+ | $56,100 |
| Age 59 | 31 yrs | 72.9%incl. +14% R+ | $61,965 |
| Age 60 | 32 yrs | 80%incl. +16% R+ | $68,000 |
Year 30 adds the age-factor step and the first 12% together. By 32 years at 60, the member is at the 80% cap, and more years add nothing.
If you don't reach 30 years
RetirementPlus is mandatory for teachers hired on or after July 1, 2001; members from before then could elect it. Members who transferred in from another Massachusetts system between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2022 without making an election were offered a special election period (Jan. 1-June 30, 2023). Members transferring in on or after July 1, 2022 with earlier service elsewhere are enrolled unless they opt out within 180 days; those whose prior service began on or after July 1, 2022 must participate. If you participate but don't meet the 30-year / 20-year-teaching requirement at retirement, you get the regular formula and (except mandatory 2022+ transfers) a refund of your extra RetirementPlus contributions with regular interest. M.G.L. c. 32, § 5(4)(i); Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 6, p. 32, p. 33; MTRS web page 'RetirementPlus (R+) election change chart'; MTRS web page 'Contribution rates explained'
Working after you retire
If DESE declares a critical shortage (603 CMR 7.14(13)(b)), the hours and earnings limits are waived for regular-formula retirees; for RetirementPlus retirees they still apply in the first two years of retirement and are waived after that. The 60-day separation still applies. Ready for Retirement 2026, p. 28; MTRS web page 'Working after retirement'; M.G.L. c. 32, § 91(e) See Working after retirement.
Try your numbers in the calculator, which shows your RetirementPlus percentage and the cap.
Questions
What is MTRS RetirementPlus?
An enhanced benefit for members who contribute 11%. Once you have 30 years of service, it adds 2% of your salary average for each full year over 24 (Tier 1) or 23 (Tier 2).
How much is the RetirementPlus bonus at 30 years?
12% in Tier 1 and 14% in Tier 2, on top of age factor × service. The total still can't pass 80%.
What if I'm in RetirementPlus but retire with fewer than 30 years?
You get the regular formula, and MTRS refunds your extra RetirementPlus contributions with interest (except members who had to join as transfers from service begun on or after July 1, 2022).
Source: MTRS Ready for Retirement reference guide, 2026, pp. 2, 6, 7, 12, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. Also: MTRS web pages 'RetirementPlus (R+) election change chart', 'Contribution rates explained', 'Working after retirement'; M.G.L. c. 32, §§ 5, 22, 91. Last reviewed .