The 5-Year Sprint: Securing Your CalSTRS Vesting

Hired after Jan 1, 2013? You are likely under the "2% at 62" formula. Your first goal is the 5-year vesting milestone—without it, you lose your employer contributions. Let's build your foundation.

Stage-Specific Hurdles

The specific financial challenges of your current CalSTRS career stage.

The 5-Year Vesting Cliff

Leave before year 5, and you only keep your own contributions. We help you map the stay-or-go math.

Student Loan PSLF Setup

The first 120 payments are the hardest. We ensure your IDR plan is optimized for CalSTRS members.

Summer Gap Strategy

10-month paychecks mean a 60-day income hole. We calculate your "Save-to-July" number.

403(b) Trap Avoidance

Don't get stuck in high-fee insurance annuities. Start with low-cost index funds early.

Teacher Research
Teaching

Specialized Strategic Focus

New teachers face the lowest "Age Factor" but have the highest "Time Multiplier." We focus on PSLF and early 403(b) compounding to bridge the gap before you hit your peak steps.

Tools Built for Your Teaching Career Stage

1

Summer Income Gap Calculator

Calculate exactly how much you need saved by May or how many tutoring hours required

2

PSLF vs TLF Decision Tool

Should you pursue Teacher Loan Forgiveness or Public Service Loan Forgiveness? Get your answer in 2 minutes

3

403(b) Fee Analyzer

Find out if you're losing $500,000+ to high fees over your career

4

State Pension Decoder

Understand YOUR state's pension formula, vesting period, and Social Security participation

5

Emergency Fund Calculator

Teachers need 3-6 months + summer gap. Calculate your target number

6

First-Year Money Checklist

The 5 financial decisions to make in Year 1 that will define your career

0%

We fix this

of early-career teachers can't identify their retirement plan

$0K

We prevent this

lost to high 403(b) fees over a career

0%

We navigate this

PSLF approval rate (up from 1%!)

Subscription Plans | Take control Now

Choose the toolkit that matches your career stage.

FREE

FREE

Perfect for new teachers getting started

  • 8 Core Calculators
  • 5 calculations per day
  • Paycheck Decoder
  • Pension Estimator (Basic)
  • Student Loan Timeline
  • Emergency Fund Tool
  • Simple 403(b) Growth
  • Save calculation history
  • Complex Scenarios

PLUS

$29 /month

Solve specific debt & career challenges

  • 15 Calculators (Free + 7 More)
  • 25 calculations per day
  • Save History
  • PSLF vs TLF Decision Tool
  • Summer Gap Analyzer
  • Pension Buyback Analysis
  • Early Retirement Bridge
  • 403(b) Fee Analyzer
  • Advanced Risk Modeling
  • PDF Exports