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Pension guides

How public pensions work, the choices you make at retirement, and how Social Security, health coverage and taxes fit around them.

How pensions work

How a public pension is calculated7 min readFinal average salary explained: high-3, high-5 and spiking rules6 min readRule of 80, 85 and 90: when you can retire with a full pension6 min read

Social Security

Social Security Fairness Act: what changed for teachers and public workers7 min readStates where teachers don't get Social Security6 min read

Retirement choices

DROP explained: how a Deferred Retirement Option Plan works7 min readPension payout options: single life, 50% and 100% joint survivor7 min readBuying service credit: when it pays off7 min read

Life after work

Pension COLAs: how cost-of-living raises work in public plans6 min readHealth insurance for public retirees: before 65 and Medicare7 min readGoing back to work after retirement: return-to-work rules6 min read

Career moves

Moving states mid-career: vesting, refunds and buying service6 min readLeaving teaching early: refund or deferred pension?6 min read

Savings and taxes

403(b) vs 457(b): saving on top of a public pension7 min readWhich states tax public pensions?6 min read