| Class | Who's in it | Multiplier | Salary years | Normal retirement | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-C | First qualified for membership before July 1, 2001, did not elect to convert to Class T-D under Act 2001-9, and have not returned after a break in service. | 2% | 3 | Age 62; or Age 60 with 30 years of service; or 35 years of service regardless of age | 6.25% |
| T-D | First qualified July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2011; or first qualified before July 1, 2001 and elected to convert from T-C under Act 2001-9; or had a break in service before July 1, 2001, returned on or after that date and earned 3 eligibility points. | 2.5% 2% non-school | 3 | Age 62; or Age 60 with 30 years of service; or 35 years of service regardless of age | 7.5% |
| T-E | First qualified on or after July 1, 2011 and did not elect to convert to Class T-F (T-E was the default). | 2% | 3 | Age 65 with a minimum of three years of service credit; or Any combination of age and service that totals 92 with at least 35 years of credited service | 7.5% |
| T-F | First qualified on or after July 1, 2011 and elected to convert from Class T-E to Class T-F (one-time election). | 2.5% | 3 | Age 65 with a minimum of three years of service credit; or Any combination of age and service that totals 92 with at least 35 years of credited service | 10.3% |
| T-G hybrid | First qualify on or after July 1, 2019 and do not elect Class T-H or Class DC. T-G is the default; the one-time election is irrevocable. | 1.25% | 5 | Age 67 with a minimum of three years of service credit; or Any combination of age and service that totals 97 with at least 35 years of credited service | 8.25% |
| T-H hybrid | First qualify on or after July 1, 2019 and elect Class T-H (one-time, irrevocable election within the window). | 1% | 5 | Age 67 with a minimum of three years of service credit | 7.5% |
| DC | First qualify on or after July 1, 2019 and elect Class DC. No DB pension; benefit is the vested DC account balance. | — | — | No pension; DC account only | 7.5% |
"You pay" is the base rate for members who joined most recently in that class (T-C and T-D: since July 22, 1983). For T-E to T-H the DB rate can move under shared risk. Handbook p. 6, Member Contribution Rates
The multiplier feeds the PSERS formula, and the normal retirement column decides whether you face an early cut. Vesting also differs by class; see leaving teaching.
How your class is decided
- PSERS has seven membership classes: T-C, T-D, T-E, T-F, T-G, T-H and DC. Your class is printed on your annual Statement of Account.Handbook p. 5, Membership Class
- If you first qualified for membership before July 1, 2001, you are Class T-C unless you elected to convert to Class T-D under Act 2001-9.Handbook p. 5, Membership Class
- If you first qualified between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2011, you are Class T-D. Members who had a break in service before July 1, 2001 and returned on or after that date also became T-D after earning 3 eligibility points.Handbook p. 5, Membership Class
- If you first qualified on or after July 1, 2011 (and before July 1, 2019), you were enrolled in Class T-E by default and had a one-time chance to elect Class T-F.Handbook p. 5; Exit Counseling 2025-2026, PDF p. 5
- If you first qualify on or after July 1, 2019, you are enrolled in Class T-G by default and get a one-time chance to elect Class T-H or Class DC. The choice is irrevocable.Handbook p. 5; Exit Counseling 2025-2026, PDF p. 5
- Classes T-C, T-D, T-E and T-F are defined benefit (pension) only. Classes T-G and T-H are hybrids with a DB pension plus a DC account. Class DC is a defined contribution account only.Handbook p. 1, Introduction to PSERS
All new members (on or after July 1, 2019) are enrolled in Class T-G by default and get a one-time chance to elect Class T-H or Class DC. The decision is irrevocable. Members first enrolled July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2019 were enrolled in T-E by default with a one-time chance to elect T-F. Members hired before July 1, 2001 could elect T-D; those hired July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2011 were automatically T-D. Exit Counseling 2025-26, PDF p. 5, Membership Class; Handbook p. 5
Questions
Where do I find my PSERS membership class?
PSERS has seven membership classes: T-C, T-D, T-E, T-F, T-G, T-H and DC. Your class is printed on your annual Statement of Account.
Can I change my class?
All new members (on or after July 1, 2019) are enrolled in Class T-G by default and get a one-time chance to elect Class T-H or Class DC. The decision is irrevocable. Members first enrolled July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2019 were enrolled in T-E by default with a one-time chance to elect T-F. Members hired before July 1, 2001 could elect T-D; those hired July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2011 were automatically T-D.
Source: PSERS Active Member Handbook, Current pa.gov edition (PDF revised Sept. 2023), pp. 1, 5-6, 19, 21, 26. Also: Retirement Exit Counseling 2025-2026, PDF pp. 4-5. Also: Let's Talk About PSERS Death Benefits (Mar. 2025), p. 1. Also: PSERS web page Leaving Employment. Last reviewed .