Age 58 with 22 years, $60,000 average
Each year cuts the reduction, then 61 with 25 years is unreduced.
| Retire | Age | Service | Kept | A month | Added vs. now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Now | 58 | 22 yrs | 75% | $1,502 | |
| +1 yr | 59 | 23 yrs | 80% | $1,674 | +$173 |
| +2 yr | 60 | 24 yrs | 85% | $1,856 | +$355 |
| +3 yr | 61 | 25 yrs | 100% | $2,275 | +$774 |
Age 55 with 28 years, $60,000 average
Two more years reach 30 years: unreduced at any age.
| Retire | Age | Service | Kept | A month | Added vs. now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Now | 55 | 28 yrs | 90% | $2,293 | |
| +1 yr | 56 | 29 yrs | 95% | $2,507 | +$214 |
| +2 yr | 57 | 30 yrs | 100% | $2,730 | +$437 |
| +3 yr | 58 | 31 yrs | 100% | $2,821 | +$528 |
Age 62 with 15 years, $60,000 average
Each year before 65 is worth 3% plus another year of service.
| Retire | Age | Service | Kept | A month | Added vs. now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Now | 62 | 15 yrs | 91% | $1,242 | |
| +1 yr | 63 | 16 yrs | 94% | $1,369 | +$126 |
| +2 yr | 64 | 17 yrs | 97% | $1,501 | +$258 |
| +3 yr | 65 | 18 yrs | 100% | $1,638 | +$396 |
Our engine, from the handbook's rules. Same average in every year; raises would add more. Green rows are unreduced.
To find your earliest and full-benefit dates, we assume you keep working full time and earn one year of service per year.
This is a planning assumption, not a TSERS rule.
Handbook: Benefit Calculations, TSERS Retirement FormulaThe rows use the benefit formula and the early-retirement reductions. Try your own dates in the calculator (an example is filled in).
Ways to add service
- Each extra year adds 1.82% of your average to your yearly benefit, and before 65 it can cut or remove the early-retirement reduction. For example, 58 with 22 years gets 75%, 59 with 23 gets 80%, 60 with 24 gets 85%, and 61 with 25 is unreduced.Handbook: Benefit Calculations, Early Retirement Percentages and 50-59 table
- Unused sick leave adds service at retirement: one month for each 20 days, plus a month for any leftover of at least an hour. It can help you reach 30 years at any age, 25 years after 60, or 20 years after 50.Handbook: Adding to your Creditable Service, Sick leave
- Sick leave counts only if your last day of service with a TSERS employer is within five years of your retirement date.Handbook: Adding to your Creditable Service, Sick leave
Questions
How much does one more year add?
Another year of service adds 1.82% of your average to your yearly benefit ($1,092 a year on a $60,000 average), plus any raise. Before you qualify for an unreduced benefit, it also shrinks the early-retirement reduction.
What are the big milestones?
30 years at any age, 25 years at 60, and 65 with five years. Reaching one removes the reduction completely.
Does sick leave help?
Yes. Unused sick leave converts to service at retirement (one month per 20 days) and can get you to 20, 25 or 30 years.
Source: TSERS Handbook, Online handbook, pages modified Nov. 2024 - Oct. 28, 2026 (retrieved Nov. 11, 2026), pages Benefit Calculations, Qualifying for Benefits, Adding to your Creditable Service. Last reviewed .