Retirement Planning for State & City Employees
- K-12 Teachers
- University
- Police
- Firefighters
- City Employees
We know your benefits, we're here to help you maximize them.
Lets Talk State Pension
Your Benefits Are More Valuable Than You Realize
State employees and public educators have access to some of the strongest retirement benefits available anywhere — defined benefit pensions, deferred compensation plans, and in many cases Social Security. But having great benefits and knowing how to maximize them are two very different things. We specialize in helping public employees coordinate every piece of their retirement picture so nothing gets left on the table.
Who We Work With
K-12 Teachers
K-12 teachers, school administrators, and support staff covered by state teacher retirement systems. We help you understand your pension formula, 403(b) options, and Social Security eligibility.
University
Faculty, administrators, and staff at public universities and community colleges. Many university employees have access to both a pension and a 403(b) or 457(b) — we help you use both effectively.
Police & Law Enforcement
Officers and law enforcement professionals often have enhanced pension multipliers and earlier retirement eligibility. We help you plan around those unique rules and protect your family with the right survivor options.
Firefighters & First Responders
Firefighters frequently retire earlier than other public employees. We help you bridge the income and healthcare gap between your retirement date and Medicare eligibility at 65.
City & County Employees
Municipal workers in public works, administration, parks, utilities, and other city and county roles. We help you navigate your specific retirement system and build a complete income plan.
State Agency Employees
Employees of state departments and agencies covered by state retirement systems. Whether you are 5 years in or 5 years from retirement, we help you understand exactly where you stand.
How Your Public Pension Is Calculated
Most public employee pensions use a defined benefit formula. The specific numbers vary by state, employer, and membership tier but the structure is the same.
The Pension Formula
Years of Service x Benefit Multiplier x Final Average Salary
Simple Example
A public employee with 30 years of service, a 2% multiplier, and a final average salary of $70,000 would receive $42,000 per year or $3,500 per month before any reductions or elections.
Your actual benefit depends on your state's specific rules, your membership tier, your retirement age, and any survivor options you choose. We help you get the real number.
What Affects Your Pension Amount
Years of Service
The more years you work in a covered position, the higher your pension. Even one extra year near retirement can meaningfully increase your monthly check for the rest of your life.
Final Average Salary
Most systems use your highest 3 to 5 consecutive years of salary. A late-career promotion, overtime, or step increase can permanently raise your pension.
Retirement Age & Eligibility
Many public safety employees can retire earlier than other workers. Retiring before your plan's normal retirement age may trigger a permanent reduction so timing matters.
Survivor Options
Choosing a survivor benefit for a spouse reduces your monthly payment but ensures your partner continues receiving income after you pass. This is a one-time, permanent decision made at retirement.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Some pension plans include automatic annual increases to help keep up with inflation. Others do not. If your plan has no COLA, your purchasing power will shrink over time without a plan to offset it.
Social Security Eligibility
About 25% of state and local government employees do not participate in Social Security. The Social Security Fairness Act signed in 2025 repealed rules that previously reduced benefits for those who did qualify so your benefit may now be higher than you were told.
The Gap Most Public Employees Don't See Coming
Even a strong pension rarely replaces your full income. Most public employees retire on 50 to 75 percent of their final salary from their pension alone. That gap needs to be filled and the sooner you start planning, the more options you have.
403(b) & 457(b) Savings
Many public employees have access to a 403(b) or 457(b) deferred compensation plan. The 457(b) has no early withdrawal penalty after you leave service making it a powerful bridge income tool.
Social Security Coordination
If you have Social Security credits from other work, the 2025 repeal of WEP and GPO may mean your benefit is larger than previously projected. We help you claim at the right time.
Healthcare Before Medicare
Public safety employees and others who retire before 65 need a plan to cover healthcare costs until Medicare begins. This is one of the most overlooked and expensive gaps in public employee retirement planning.
Common Mistakes Public Employees Make Before Retiring
Many pension plans have age or service milestones that significantly increase your benefit. Missing one by just a few months can cost tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.
This decision is permanent at retirement. A small monthly reduction now can be the difference between your spouse having income and having nothing after you are gone.
Most pensions replace only a portion of your final salary. Without a supplemental savings strategy, many public employees find themselves with less income than expected in retirement.
The Social Security Fairness Act changed the rules for many public employees. If you have Social Security credits from other work, your benefit may now be significantly higher than you were previously told.
The decisions that have the biggest impact on your retirement income are made 5 to 15 years before you retire not the year before. Starting early gives you time to adjust and maximize every benefit.
You Served Your Community. Your Retirement Should Reflect That.
We specialize in helping public employees understand their pension, close the income gap, and build a retirement plan that lasts as long as they do.
Schedule Your No-Cost Public Employee Retirement Review
We will walk through your pension, supplemental savings, Social Security eligibility, and healthcare options to build a clear picture of what your retirement income will actually look like.
Click to Schedule