01
Understand your pension
Review how your benefits, retirement age, and service credit may affect your income.
HOW WE HELP
Your retirement date depends on more than your pension.
See how your pension compares with your income goal—and what you may need to plan for.
Your retirement income picture
Illustrative example
Retirement income goal
$7,000/mo
Estimated pension
$4,800/mo
Potential retirement income gap
$2,200/mo
The additional income to plan for beyond your pension.
A clearer path to retirement starts here.
02
Coordinate your savings
Explore how your 403(b), 457(b), and other savings could supplement your pension.
03
Compare retirement dates
Understand the financial tradeoffs of different retirement timelines.
Meet Michael Sandstrom · Founder
More than 30 years helping educators answer one important question: When can I afford to retire?
Michael Sandstrom has worked with California educators since 1992. Over more than three decades, he and his agency have served thousands of teachers and school employees facing important retirement decisions.
The answer is rarely found in a pension estimate alone. Retirement timing, CalSTRS or CalPERS benefits, and the savings you've built all need to be considered together.
Since 1992Focused on serving school employees
ThousandsOf educators served by the agency
Michael SandstromFounder, Sandstrom & Associates
Meet our team
CLIENT EXPERIENCES
The guidance behind the numbers.
We’re proud to have earned the trust of California educators and public employees. Here are a couple of comments our clients wanted to share.
"Eddie is very knowledgeable and is an excellent communicator."
“There is no agency I trust more.”
Alex Yusem
Retired Superintendent
COMMON QUESTIONS
A few things you may be wondering.
We focus on retirement planning for California public school employees, helping them understand how pension benefits, savings, and retirement timing fit together.
Your options depend on factors such as your retirement system, age, service credit, savings, and income goals. Reviewing these together can help you understand the tradeoffs between different retirement dates.
Your pension may provide the foundation for retirement income, while other savings and financial resources may help cover the difference. Understanding that potential gap is an important part of retirement planning.
If available, bring a recent CalSTRS or CalPERS benefit estimate and information about your 403(b), 457(b), or other savings. These details can help make the conversation more specific to your circumstances.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Get a clearer picture of your retirement options.
Explore how your pension, savings, and retirement timing could work together. Start with a conversation about your retirement goals.
Schedule a ReviewTalk with our team about your retirement planning questions.
CONTACT US
Have a question about your retirement options?
Reach out to our team for guidance on retirement timing, pension questions, or next steps. We’ll get back to you within one business day.
Prefer to talk now?
818-360-7400Call us directly during business hours, or send a message using the form.