ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Teacher retirements are up in the Rochester area and across the state. 

NYSUT, the state teacher's union, says the pandemic is a primary cause.

In August, 572 full-time teachers submitted their retirement papers to the state. 

That's a 121-percent increase from last school year, which is on top of seeing 505 more teachers across New York file for retirement in the pandemic's first five months.

"We have heard from a lot of folks who said it might be my time to retire because there is so much pressure. So much anxiety out there in the teaching profession," said NYSUT president Andy Pallotta. 

Fifty-five percent of teachers 55 and older polled by the state teachers union say they're more likely to retire or leave teaching early.