Your Social Security age sets your ERSRI age
Your Social Security full retirement age (max 67) sets your ERSRI retirement age and COLA start, whether or not your district is in Social Security. Handbook, p. 17, Eligible Retirement Age; Handbook, p. 19, COLA; R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-8-1(20) The full chart by birth year is on when can I retire?, and the COLA start is explained on the COLA page.
Districts without Social Security
Some Rhode Island school districts do not participate in Social Security. Teachers there pay into the Teachers' Survivors Benefit plan and get an extra 2% member and 2% employer defined contribution. Your Social Security full retirement age still sets your ERSRI retirement age and COLA start. Handbook, p. 20, Teacher Survivors' Benefit; Handbook, p. 41, Appendix A; R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 16-16-38, 36-10.3-3
Teachers in positions that do not participate in Social Security get an extra 2% member and 2% employer contribution (the employer may ask for a different level). Handbook, p. 41, Appendix A, Contribution Rates (Teacher); R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 36-10.3-3, 36-10.3-4(1), 36-10.3-5(1), 36-10.3-6(a) Those districts also have the Teachers' Survivors Benefit; see survivor benefits.
SRA PLUS
SRA PLUS uses a national-average estimate of age-62 Social Security; it is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. Handbook, p. 35, notes 50-51
What our sources say
- Some Rhode Island districts don't take part in Social Security. Teachers there pay into the TSB survivor plan and get an extra 2% (yours) and 2% (employer's) in the defined contribution plan.Handbook, p. 20; p. 41, Appendix A
- Whether or not your district pays into Social Security, your Social Security Normal Retirement Age (max 67) sets your ERSRI retirement age and when your COLA can start.Handbook, p. 17; p. 19, COLA
- SSA's full retirement age: 66 if born 1943-1954, then 2 months more for each year to 66 and 10 months for 1959, and 67 if born in 1960 or later. Born on January 1? Use the year before.SSA Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction chart (saved 2026-11-12)
- SRA PLUS uses a national-average Social Security estimate at 62. It isn't connected to the Social Security Administration.Handbook, p. 35, notes 50-51
Questions
Do Rhode Island teachers get Social Security?
It depends on the district. Some Rhode Island districts take part in Social Security and some don't. Teachers in districts without it pay into the Teachers' Survivors Benefit plan and get extra defined contribution money.
Why does my Social Security age matter for ERSRI?
Your Social Security full retirement age (never over 67) is your ERSRI full-pension age unless you have an earlier date, and it also decides when your COLA can start.
Source: ERSRI Membership and Retirement Handbook, 10th edition, June 2020 (with the 2024 Article 12 changes from the Treasurer's guide, July 1, 2024), pp. 17, 19, 20, 35, 41. Also: Rhode Island General Laws; Social Security Administration, full retirement age chart. Last reviewed .