A CalPERS member with 30 years of service and a $70k final average salary retires on about $3,500 a month at age 62 under the “PEPRA miscellaneous, 2% at 62 (hired 2013 or later)” rules. That is 60.0% of salary. Amounts are shown at 62, when the PEPRA factor reaches 2%. Final compensation is your highest 36 consecutive months, up to an annual cap that rises with inflation. Many CalPERS state workers also pay into Social Security, which adds to these amounts.
PEPRA miscellaneous, 2% at 62 (hired 2013 or later)
| Service | Age | % of salary | $50k | $60k | $70k | $80k | $90k | $100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yrs | 62 | 20.0% | $833 | $1,000 | $1,167 | $1,333 | $1,500 | $1,667 |
| 15 yrs | 62 | 30.0% | $1,250 | $1,500 | $1,750 | $2,000 | $2,250 | $2,500 |
| 20 yrs | 62 | 40.0% | $1,667 | $2,000 | $2,333 | $2,667 | $3,000 | $3,333 |
| 25 yrs | 62 | 50.0% | $2,083 | $2,500 | $2,917 | $3,333 | $3,750 | $4,167 |
| 30 yrs | 62 | 60.0% | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| 35 yrs | 62 | 70.0% | $2,917 | $3,500 | $4,083 | $4,667 | $5,250 | $5,833 |
Monthly amounts before tax, using the single-life payout. Salary columns are final average salary, not your last paycheck. Age is the first age with no early-retirement reduction for that service.
Retiring earlier or later
Retiring before the age shown means a smaller check for life, and waiting longer usually adds both service and, in some plans, a higher factor. The CalPERS retirement chart shows the percentage at every age from 55 to 67, and the CalPERS calculator runs your exact numbers.
What else adds to the check
Some CalPERS members pay into Social Security and some do not, depending on the employer. Any Social Security you earned now adds in full since the Fairness Act. See the pension and Social Security calculator for the combined total, and the COLA guide for how the check grows after you retire.