It has been a while since I have reviewed it, but my wife's projected retirement benefit (from 33 years of teaching if she retires at age 65) will not be paying more than she is making as an active worker. The plus side, however, is that Washington state is one of the better states in having their state employee retirement system fully funded. I want to say it is something like 90% plus. Which puts it in contrast to some other states that are looking at default, slashing benefits or raising taxes significantly to cover pensions.
My Dad worked at Boeing for 40 years as an aeronautical engineer. This was back in the day when Boeing offered great pensions. He retired in 1990 at age 65, and he said between his Boeing pension and Social Security, he was taking home more than when he was still working, what with the lower taxes and no more paycheck deductions.