Maria
Tier 2 · age 57 · 18 years · $62,000 average
She doesn't meet the Rule of 80 yet, so the early-age table cuts her pension hard. Each year shrinks the cut, and in three years she reaches the Rule of 80 (60 + 21 = 81).
1
More service
Every year adds 2.3% × your salary average to your yearly pension.
2
A higher average
A raise can replace a lower year in your highest 3 or 5 salaries, depending on your tier.
3
A smaller cut
Waiting can shrink or remove an early-age reduction. This is usually the big one, especially if one more year gets you to the Rule of 80.
Three examples
James
Tier 3 · age 58 · 25 years · $66,000 average
He meets the Rule of 80, but Tier 3 cuts 5% a year under 60. Two more years removes the cut entirely.
Linda
Tier 1 · age 62 · 30 years · $70,000 average
She already has a full benefit. Each extra year adds 2.3% of her salary average, plus any raise.
Assumes a June 1, 2026 retirement, one year of service per year worked, and a salary average that grows 2% a year. Names are made up. Monthly standard annuity before taxes and health premiums.
Run your ownThe calculator compares retiring on your date with working 1, 2 or 3 more years, using your tier, age and salary. Open the calculator →
Check before you decideThese are estimates from TRS's published rules. Your TRS retirement estimate or MyTRS account has the official numbers.
Questions
How much does one more year add to a TRS pension?
Each year of service adds 2.3% of your salary average to your yearly pension. If the extra year also raises your salary average or reduces an early-retirement cut, the gain is larger, sometimes much larger.
Is it worth working one more year before retiring from TRS?
It's worth the most when it gets you past an early-age reduction: reaching the Rule of 80, or your tier's minimum age. After that, each year adds a smaller, steady amount. It's a personal decision; the numbers are one part of it.
Source: TRS Benefits Handbook, September 2025, pp. 23-36. Last reviewed .