how to find teachers benefits by state?? (cost, salaries, certificate)

[PinkPeony]

we're thinking of relocating. I'm interested in finishing my teacher's certificate.

I can easily find how teacher's starting salaries vary by state, but I'm having trouble finding how pensions vary by state.

Can anyone help me?

Thanks!!!

[Scholar]

The only thing that I know to do is to look up each state individually that you are interested in. If you look up "Teacher Retirement", you will possibly have better luck than looking up "Pensions". The way certain states tax teachers and contribute to retirement can vary so much that it may be hard to do a simplified comparision. That is my guess. Maybe someone else will know something.

[golfgal]

Keep in mind that just because a state has a high starting salary for a teacher it doesn't mean that it is a good salary for that area. Alaska might have a great starting salary but things cost so much that you might not be able to get by. You need to examine the cost of living for an area and compare your salary to that to figure as well.