How Your Benefit Grows

Your SCERS benefit is impacted by a number of factors, including your age at retirement, the amount of service credit you accumulate, and how much you earn during your final compensation period. SCERS uses the following formula to calculate your monthly retirement benefit: 

Age Factor × Years of Service Credit × Final Compensation

This formula ensures your benefit grows predictably as you continue to work and contribute.

Age Factor

The older you are when you retire, the higher your age factor—up to a tier-specific maximum. 

Years of Service Credit

You earn service credit each pay period you work in a SCERS-covered position and contribute.

• One year of full-time work = one year of service credit
• Part-time work earns proportional credit
• Certain unpaid time (like medical leave) may not earn credit unless purchased later

Vesting

You become vested once you meet one of the following:

• 5 years of full-time SCERS service credit or in combination with a reciprocal system 
• Any amount of service at age 70 
• Once vested, you’re entitled to a SCERS retirement benefit, even if you leave employment before reaching retirement age.

Final Compensation

This is your highest average monthly pay over a specific number of consecutive months during your most recent work history, based on your tier.

Sick Leave Conversion

If your employer does not cash out unused sick leave, it will be converted into service credit at retirement, slightly increasing your benefit.