From the day you become a teacher, you should begin planning your retirement. That is the best advice I can give an educator. Think about yourself and your family as much as the next day’s teaching plan.

I am long past retirement age and must work at least five more years because of poor planning and lack of a financial advisor who specializes in helping teachers. I can’t tell you how many tax preparers and financial advisors I have had who didn’t even know about the teachers’ tax credit.  Teachers face unique problems with retirement such as not being able to collect full Social Security, in some cases.

Obviously, I recommend The Horace Mann Companies not only because they support educators with grants, scholarships and this totally free Web site, but also because they specialize in providing guidance for educators. Their representatives know teachers. 

So start with these Web sites to learn about retirement issues.

The Horace Mann Companies 

Test Your Retirement Knowledge 

Before You Accept an Early Retirement Package

Earnings Test for Early Retirees 

First Steps in Retirement Planning 
Printables for calculating how much you need to retire and estimating expenses

Life Expectancy Calculator 

Retirement IQ Test 

Retirement Mobilization Kit 
Estimate your retirement income needs.

Steps in Retirement Planning 

Tax Benefits for Education [PDF]

Ten Steps to a Successful Retirement

Test Your Knowledge on Retirement 

Top Ten Questions to Ask When Preparing for Retirement

Twelve Steps You Must Take at Age 60

What state has the lowest taxes?

Women and Retirement Savings 

California Retired Teachers Association 
Regardless of what state you work in, this site has excellent insights into retirement.

NEA:  Repeal Social Security Offsets 

NEA Retired 

Retirement Earnings Test 
Social Security retirement earnings table

What If My Earnings Were Covered by Social Security 
The impact of Social Security on Teacher Pensions