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CalPERS Pension on a $100,000 Salary

Estimated monthly pension at $100,000/year final compensation across major formulas and service-year scenarios

✓ Official benefit factor tables

If your final monthly compensation will be around $8,333 ($100,000/year), use the comparison table below to see your estimated monthly pension under each of the major CalPERS formulas, evaluated at the formula's reference age across several service-year scenarios. The math is straightforward: benefit factor × years of service × monthly compensation.

Monthly Pension at $100,000/year — Service-Year Comparison

Each cell shows the estimated monthly pension at $100,000/year (about $8,333/month) final compensation, for the listed service years, using each formula's benefit factor at its reference age.

Formula10 yrs20 yrs25 yrs30 yrs
2% at 55State Miscellaneous & Industrial · ref age 55$1,667$3,333$4,167$5,000
2% at 62State Miscellaneous & Industrial · ref age 62$1,667$3,333$4,167$5,000
2% at 60State Miscellaneous & Industrial · ref age 60$1,667$3,333$4,167$5,000
2% at 55School · ref age 55$1,667$3,333$4,167$5,000
2% at 62School · ref age 62$1,667$3,333$4,167$5,000
2% at 55Local Miscellaneous · ref age 55$1,667$3,333$4,167$5,000

All estimates use each formula's benefit factor at its reference age (the full benefit factor). Retiring earlier than the reference age reduces the factor; retiring later raises it. The PEPRA compensation cap may apply at this salary for PEPRA formulas.

Calculator — pre-set to $100,000 salary

Loaded with the 2% at 55 (State Miscellaneous & Industrial) formula at its reference age, 25 years of service, and $8,333/month final compensation. Adjust to model your situation.

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$100,000 Salary — Frequently Asked Questions

What are Local Miscellaneous and Local Safety formulas?▾
Local Miscellaneous formulas apply to non-safety employees of cities, counties, and special districts that contract with CalPERS. Local Safety formulas apply to law enforcement, firefighters, and other safety employees of local agencies. Safety formulas typically have higher benefit factors and earlier retirement ages.
What is service credit?▾
Service credit is the years (and partial years) you have worked under a CalPERS or CalSTRS covered position. One year of full-time employment equals one year of service credit. Part-time employees earn proportional service credit.
What is the minimum retirement age?▾
The minimum retirement age varies by formula. Most PEPRA formulas allow retirement at age 52, while classic formulas may allow retirement as early as age 50. Your benefit factor at the minimum age is typically much lower than at the reference age.
How does the 2% COLA cap affect my pension over 20 to 30 years?▾
If long-run inflation runs at 3% but your COLA is capped at 2%, your real purchasing power falls by about 1% per year. Over 20 years that compounds to roughly 18% of lost purchasing power; over 30 years, roughly 26%. The COLA projection chart on this site shows the exact spread between nominal and inflation-adjusted dollars for your specific starting benefit.
What are the survivor benefit options?▾
CalPERS offers four retirement options: Unmodified (no survivor benefit, highest monthly payment), 100% Survivor (your beneficiary receives the same monthly benefit after your death), 75% Survivor, and 50% Survivor. Choosing a survivor option reduces your monthly pension. The reduction depends on your age and your beneficiary's age at retirement.
Which survivor option should I pick?▾
There is no single right answer — it depends on your beneficiary's age, your beneficiary's expected income without your pension, and your own life expectancy. The 100% survivor option costs roughly 12.25% of your monthly check but guarantees your beneficiary the same payment for life. The 50% survivor option costs roughly 6.5% and continues half. The unmodified option pays the most but ends at your death. Run all four side by side in the calculator's survivor selector.

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CalPERS Calculator Hub

All 32 CalPERS retirement formulas

Disclaimer: Estimates only. Actual final compensation calculations depend on whether you use the highest 12-month (classic) or 36-month (PEPRA) average and may be limited by the PEPRA compensation cap.