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In a TRS board meeting held on June 24, 2020, the TRS Board of Trustees adopted the following maximum salary increases for FY 2021 that can be used by the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) to compute a member’s highest two-year average salary:

Employees of the Board of Regents	2.50% (0.0% + 2.50%)
All Others	2.50% (0.0% + 2.50%)

These percentages are in accordance with Georgia Law [O.C.G.A. § 47-3-120(d)] and apply only to TRS members whose current date of membership is on or after July 1, 1984.

The memo can be viewed by clicking here.

Current economic conditions and reduced revenue collections due to the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in employers planning for reducing budgets in FY 2021 by several methods such as furloughs, salary reductions and reductions of contracted work days, which will have an impact on the amount of earnable compensation to be reported to TRS. “Earnable compensation” means the full rate of regular compensation payable to a member for his full normal working time [O.C.G.A. § 47-3- 1(11)]. In accordance with Georgia law and advice from the Attorney General’s office, reporting of employer and employee contributions will be as follows:

1. Furloughs are considered a temporary downward adjustment in an employee’s salary, not a permanent salary reduction. Since Georgia law states contributions are remitted based on the member’s full rate of regular compensation for his full normal working time, contributions will continue to be reported based on the member’s full regular salary prior to the implementation of the furlough.
2. Salary reductions and reductions in contracted days are permanent in nature and become the employee’s full rate of regular compensation for their full normal working time. Therefore, employee and employer contributions should be remitted based on the employee’s adjusted regular salary.

Reporting employers should report all employee salaries equally and not differentiate between newer employees and those employees who are nearing retirement. Should discrepancies occur, your TRS representative will contact you for clarification. For employees who are close to retirement, please remember that the retirement calculation is based, in part, on the member’s two highest consecutive years of salary, which may not necessarily be their final two years of salary.

Should you have additional questions, please contact our office.

Check out our latest TRS video on our multimedia page.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 and Teachers Retirement System for Members, Retirees, and Employers

Active Member FAQ’s

Q:   Are the TRS offices open in Atlanta?
A:   No, our offices are closed to the public at this time. While we have limited essential personnel working in the Atlanta offices, most of our TRS team is successfully working remotely to service the needs of our members. Our agency is fully functional at this time despite changes to our workplace brought about by COVID-19.

Q:   Will members get service credit for the time schools are closed?
A:   Members will get service credit for the time they are in pay status in a 50% or greater, permanent position. Employers should continue to withhold contributions each month.

Q:   What does the decline in the stock market mean for my TRS account?
A:   TRS is a defined benefit plan, so members’ accounts and retirees’ benefits are not affected by changes in the stock market.

Q:   Will TRS complete the processing of my (re-retirement) application if the governor mandates statewide “shelter in place” for the entire state?
A:   Yes, we are continuing to function at TRS and will do so even with a “shelter in place” order.

Q:   What are the available methods for submitting requested information and documents to TRS?
A:   The preferred method is uploading documents through our website via your online account. Our personnel are available by phone to assist you in uploading documents. You may also email or fax documentation.

Q:   I get paid by the hour. If I can’t work, am I going to miss getting credit?
A:   Please contact your employer to ask about paying hourly employees while schools are closed. If your employer continues to pay you for at least 50% of the full-time hours for your job, your employer should withhold TRS contributions and report them, along with service credit.

Q:   What impact will the Coronavirus crisis have on June 1 retirees if they are forced to work in the month of June to make up for days in their contract? Will my health insurance be affected?
A:   TRS will allow members (10-month employees) to work during the month of June if necessary and still retire effective June 1. TRS does not administer health insurance but will work closely with the State Health Benefit Plan to minimize any affect it may have.

Q:   Can I be assured that I will receive my refund check if the TRS office is mandated to close on a temporary basis?
A:   Yes, we have no reason to believe that we cannot send you your refund check in a timely manner. While there may be slight delays if a physical check has to be printed, we believe refund checks should be able to be distributed in a timely manner.

Q:   Where can I obtain guided instructions on completing the retirement application and downloading forms?
A:   This information may be obtained from our website. If you have questions, feel free to contact our helpful customer service representatives at TRS.

Q:   Will the TRS Medical Board Doctors continue to review my medical documentation in a timely manner?
A:   We know of no reason why medical documentation will be delayed in the medical review process. That process is now completely online, and it should flow seamlessly between our staff and the medical review board.

Retiree & Beneficiary FAQ’s

Q:   Are retirees going to get a COLA in July?
A:    Yes, in accordance to the Post-Retirement Benefit Policy, our beneficiaries eligible for a COLA will receive the scheduled 1.5% increase. While some have questioned whether the COLA should be paid given the challenging economic conditions, that policy would be required to be changed prior to omitting or deferring that COLA.

Q:   Can a retiree who has been working after retirement apply for unemployment?
A:    Unemployment benefits do not affect the TRS benefit. Specific questions about unemployment should be directed to the Georgia Department of Labor.

Q:   Can I make my overpayment payment by phone instead of mailing it in or delivering it in person?
A:    Yes, you may make payment by phone.

Q:   Will the retirement checks/benefit payments be delayed?
A:    No, we do not believe this will be the case, and after two benefit payrolls, payments have been processed successfully without delays in the payment of these funds to beneficiaries. You should expect no delays if you receive your benefit check via direct deposit. We do not have control over checks after they are mailed in the US postal service. The best way to ensure that a benefit payment is received timely is through direct deposit.

Employer FAQ’s

Q:    Will employers still need to send contributions to TRS even though schools are closed?
A:    Yes, employers should continue to send data and payments by the normal due date of the 10th. TRS contribution payments are part of employer payroll processing, in the same way that health insurance premiums are.

Q:   If the employers cannot provide the requested information to TRS in a timely manner how will this affect retirement processing? (New Retirement and Disability)
A:    At present, we are not experiencing any delays from employers. It is possible that a retirement could be temporarily delayed or require post-retirement adjustments if information is not received from employers, but this has not been and we are sure this will not be a large nor a permanent issue.

Q:    Are we (employers) required to continue to pay our 49% retirees?
A:    That is a question that you may wish to talk with your organization’s attorney about. Their compensation may be a contractual matter between the employer and the retiree.

Q:    Will the TRS Employer Contribution Rate previously advertised for Fiscal Year 2021 change as a result of COVID-19 on the markets?
A:    No, the rate adopted and as included in the State’s budget recommendation will not change for FY 2021. Any impact that may be felt from the COVID-19 crisis will not be noticed until FY 2023.

Q:    Should retirement incentives be included in salary and contributions reported to TRS?
A:    No, retirement incentives are not considered earnable compensation, and should not be included in monthly salary and contribution reporting.

Q:    How should employers report salary and contributions for furloughed TRS members?
A:    At this time, guidance TRS received from the Attorney General’s office in 2009 still applies, which is that contributions for furloughed staff should be reported on the full regular, non-furloughed salary. We will notify employers if there’s a change.

 

In its annual meeting on May 13, 2020, the TRS Board of Trustees adopted the following employee and employer contribution rates for fiscal year 2022. Effective July 1, 2021, the contribution rates will be:

Employee Rate	6.00%
Employer Rate	19.81%

The memo can be viewed by clicking here.

Due to the directive from Governor Kemp, TRS is suspending all in-person workshops and counseling sessions until further notice.

If you have an upcoming counseling session, we will be conducting your session by phone or video conference. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us at www.trsga.com/contact-us. We will be working diligently to provide you with alternatives to our presentations to make sure you can continue to be informed about your retirement benefit.

We appreciate your cooperation.