- Age
- 56
- TSERS service
- 29 years, plus 94 days of sick leave
- Average of 4 highest years
- $68,000
- Saved
- $212,000 in the NC 401(k) and a 457
A teacher at 29 years of service
Work one more year?
She can retire now with a reduced benefit, or teach one more year and reach 30 years, when TSERS pays unreduced at any age.
What the plan looks at
- Her unused sick leave converts to service credit, about one month for every 20 days, which closes part of the gap on its own.
- At 1.82% of $68,000, each year of service is worth about $1,238 a year of pension, for life.
- The reduction for retiring early, looked up for her exact age and service, against a year of pay and a year of 457 savings.
The trade-off. Another school year against an unreduced pension. The plan prices both and leaves the choice with her.
- Age
- 61
- Plans
- Hospital 403(b) and a 401(k) from a past employer
- Saved
- $410,000
- Wants to stop
- At 63, before Medicare at 65
A nurse at 61 with a 403(b)
Use the age 60 to 63 catch-up?
She can put $24,500 plus an $11,250 catch-up into the 403(b) in 2026, and wants to know if two more years of that beat retiring at 62.
What the plan looks at
- Two years of the larger catch-up against her take-home pay.
- Twenty months of health cover before Medicare, priced from marketplace plans.
- Rolling the old 401(k) in, or leaving it, and what each costs in fees.
The trade-off. Two more years of shifts against two years of bigger savings and a shorter gap to Medicare.
- Ages
- 59 and 57
- Pension
- TSERS, about $3,100 a month at the Maximum Allowance
- Spouse
- 403(b) of $280,000, no pension
- Retire
- Next July
A teacher married to a nurse
Which pension payout?
The Maximum Allowance pays the most but stops at his death. A survivor option pays less each month and continues for her.
What the plan looks at
- Each option's monthly amount against her age, health history and savings.
- Whether life insurance covers the gap more cheaply than a survivor option.
- When each of them should claim Social Security, since NC teachers pay into it.
The trade-off. A choice made once and never changed. The plan puts every option side by side in today's dollars.
- Age
- 60
- Pension
- TSERS, $4,400 a month
- Saved
- $690,000 pre-tax
- Social Security
- Not yet claimed
An assistant principal, retired at 58
Roth conversions before RMDs?
Between now and Social Security, her taxable income is low. Required minimum distributions start at 75 for anyone born in 1960 or later.
What the plan looks at
- How much to convert to Roth each year without crossing into the next bracket.
- The two-year look-back on Medicare premiums (IRMAA) from age 63.
- Claiming Social Security at 67 or at 70.
The trade-off. Tax paid now, at a known rate, against larger forced withdrawals later.
- Age
- 64
- Pension
- TSERS, $2,700 a month
- Saved
- $355,000 across four accounts
- Spends
- About $5,200 a month
A school counselor in year one of retirement
Turn savings into a paycheck?
The pension covers about half her spending. The rest has to come from savings, every month, through good and bad markets.
What the plan looks at
- Which account to draw from first, for tax.
- Two years of withdrawals held in cash and short-term bonds.
- Medicare enrollment, which opens three months before she turns 65.
The trade-off. A steady paycheck against keeping more invested. The plan sets the number and reviews it four times a year.
Recognise one of these? Run the snapshot with your own numbers, then bring it to a 20-minute call.
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