Check with NHRSEstimate only, not an official benefit amount. Confirm with NHRS (603-410-3500) before you decide.
Your estimated monthly pension
Fill in the form and we'll show your tier, your pension before and after full Social Security age, when you can retire, any early-retirement reduction, what working longer adds, and the rules for going back to work.
When you can retire
Your early-retirement reduction
Retire as planned, or work longer?
Your pension at every age
Cost-of-living increases
Health insurance
Going back to work
Items labeled "Check with NHRS" are points NHRS's publications don't settle, such as the exact month the 1/66 amount starts and the survivor option amounts. NHRS doesn't publish the factors behind Options 1 to 4.
NHRS's own examples
NHRS's member pages work these examples. Tap one to load it into the calculator.
- Tier A at 60: 30 years on a $60,000 AFC: NHRS shows $30,000 a year, then $27,273 after full Social Security age; our calculator gives $30,000.00 and $27,272.73. NHRS page 'Service Retirement: Group I Tier A & B', Annual Pension Calculation Examples
- Tier A at 55: 25 years on $40,000, retiring early: NHRS shows $13,334 a year, then $12,122 after full Social Security age; our calculator gives $13,333.33 and $12,121.21. NHRS page 'Early Service Retirement: Group I Tier A & B', Early Retirement Pension Calculation Example
- Tier C at 60: 30 years on $40,000, retiring early: NHRS shows $17,000 a year, then $15,455 after full Social Security age; our calculator gives $17,000.00 and $15,454.55. NHRS page 'Early Service Retirement: Group I Tier C', Pension Calculation Example
NHRS gives no dates for these examples, so we use a member born on the 15th who retires on the 1st of the next month. NHRS rounds each step to the dollar; we don't, so the totals can differ by $1. See How we calculate.
Common questions
How is an NHRS pension calculated?
Your Average Final Compensation (AFC) divided by 60, times your years of Creditable Service, until you reach full Social Security retirement age. From then on NHRS recalculates it with 66 instead of 60. AFC is your highest 3 years of pay in Tier A, or highest 5 in Tiers B and C.
Which NHRS tier am I in?
Tier A if you were vested (10 years of service, or age 60 while working) before January 1, 2012. Tier B if you started before July 1, 2011 but weren't vested by then. Tier C if you started on or after July 1, 2011.
When can I retire with no reduction?
Tiers A and B: at 60, with any service while you're still working. Tier C: at 65. Earlier retirement is possible with a permanent reduction: Tiers A and B from 50 with 10 years (or the Rule of 70), Tier C from 60 with 30 years.
Why does my NHRS pension go down at full Social Security age?
State law changes the formula from 1/60 to 1/66 of AFC per year of service at your full Social Security retirement age (67 if you were born in 1960 or later). On $60,000 AFC and 30 years, that's $30,000 a year before and $27,273 after.
Does NHRS give a cost-of-living increase?
Not automatically. Cost-of-living adjustments and/or other temporary supplemental allowances (one-time, lump sum payments) are not automatic. They must be approved by the NH Legislature. The last COLA was in 2019: 1.5% on the first $50,000.
Is this the official NHRS calculator?
No. This is an unofficial estimate built from New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) publications and state law (RSA 100-A). It isn't affiliated with NHRS. NHRS can give you an official estimate; its phone number is 603-410-3500.
Compare New Hampshire with other states
- States where teachers don't get Social Security: Almost all NHRS Group I teachers also pay into Social Security. A small number of employers don't take part.
- Teacher DROP plans by state: No. NHRS has no DROP.
- Teacher pension COLAs by state: No automatic COLA. Raises and one-time payments come only if the Legislature approves. The last COLA was 1.5% in 2019.
- State taxes on teacher pensions, by state: New Hampshire law exempts NHRS benefits from any state, county or local tax.
- Teacher pension multipliers by state: 1/60 (about 1.667%) a year, then 1/66 (about 1.515%) from full Social Security age. Best three years (Tier A) or five (Tiers B, C).
- Teacher retirement age by state: Hired before July 2011 (Tiers A and B): age 60, any years of service. Hired since (Tier C): age 65.
Plain-English guides
How your pension works
Which tier am I?Tier A, B or C: your hire date and whether you were vested before Jan. 1, 2012.→The formula: 1/60, then 1/66AFC ÷ 60 × service, the drop at full Social Security age, AFC rules and the maximum.→Early retirementThe Tier A and B reduction table, the Rule of 70, and Tier C's 1/4% a month.→Buying service creditWithdrawn, military and other service you can buy, and what a year adds.→NHRS glossaryPlain-English definitions of the NHRS terms you'll run into.→
Planning your exit
After you retire
Working after retirement1,352 hours a year part-time, the 28-day wait, and why full-time stops the pension.→The COLA (not automatic)Only the Legislature can grant one; the last was 1.5% in 2019, then one-time $500 payments.→Retiree health insuranceNHRS has no health plan; the Medical Subsidy is only for those retired by July 1, 2009.→Death and survivor benefits50% for a spouse if a member dies while working, and what each option leaves.→
More calculators
NHRS has no DROP (deferred retirement option plan) or partial lump sum: none of our NHRS sources or the sections of RSA 100-A we read describes one. NHRS page 'Benefit Payment Options'; RSA 100-A:13 These pages cover Group I teachers. Police, fire and state employees have other rules. Group I Summary, Tier A (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 1, About NHRS; RSA 100-A:1, VI ('Teacher')
Source: NHRS Group I (Employee and Teacher) Member Benefits summaries, Tiers A, B and C, Rev. 10/2024, PDF pp. 1, 2. Also: NHRS member web pages (saved Nov. 12, 2026); NHRS Service Retirement Booklet (Rev 7/2023); NHRS Legislative Changes 2007-25; NHRS AFC brochure (Sept. 2026); RSA 100-A:1, 100-A:5, 100-A:13. Last reviewed .