Pensions improve the quality of California's public education system and reduce turnover costs, according to a report issued by the National Institute on Retirement Security.

The report—"Three Rs of Teacher Pension Plans: Recruitment, Retention, and Retirement"—found that the average California State Teachers' Retirement System member retiring in 2009-10 retired at age 62, performed 27 years of service, earned a pension that replaces nearly 60 percent of their pre-retirement salary and does not earn Social Security benefits for their service.

"This study validates what has been a widely acknowledged practice in pension administration; there is a direct link between long-term, quality education and a defined benefit pension that provides retirement security," says CalSTRS Chief Executive Officer Jack Ehnes. "Teachers and administrators often tell us that the retirement security provided in a defined benefit pension is more important than immediate salary gains."