As a CalSTRS member your retirement benefit is based on three factors. One of them is service credit.

Full-time teachers typically earn one year of service credit for each school year they teach. The more service credit you have at retirement the higher your benefit will be.

One way to increase your benefit is to purchase service credit and the sooner you make the purchase the less expensive it will be. You can purchase service credit credit for past employment or a qualified approved leave such as substitute or part-time teaching, maternity or paternity leave and sabbatical leave.