Pension Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the pension calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Annual Pension Benefit

annual_pension = final_salary * years_of_service * multiplier / 100

Monthly Pension Benefit

monthly_pension = annual_pension / 12

Income Replacement Ratio

replacement_ratio = final_salary > 0 ? annual_pension / final_salary * 100 : 0

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
final_salaryFinal Average Salary(USD)75000
years_of_serviceYears of Service(years)25
multiplierPlan Multiplier(%)2

How It Works

How Pension Benefits Are Calculated

Most defined-benefit pensions use this formula:

Annual Benefit = Final Salary × Years of Service × Multiplier

The multiplier is typically 1.5% to 2.5% per year of service. A 2% multiplier with 25 years gives 50% income replacement.

Worked Example

$75,000 salary, 25 years of service, 2% multiplier.

final_salary = 75000years_of_service = 25multiplier = 2
  1. 01Annual pension = $75,000 × 25 × 2% = $37,500
  2. 02Monthly pension = $37,500 / 12 = $3,125
  3. 03Replacement ratio = $37,500 / $75,000 = 50%

Ready to run the numbers?

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