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Partial Lump Sum Option Plan (PLOP)
At retirement, in addition to selecting Plan A (maximum plan) or Plan B (survivorship plan), you may also elect to receive a one time lump-sum distribution (cash payment) in addition to your monthly retirement benefit.
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Published: September 18, 2021
Plans A or B Option 1
If the retiree chose retirement Plan A or Plan B – Option 1, the deceased retiree’s beneficiary(ies) could be eligible for a lump sum refund, and will need to provide TRS the following
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
Plan B All Other Options
If the retiree chose Plan B-Option 2, 2 Pop-up, 3, 3 Pop-up, or 4, the deceased retiree’s beneficiary(ies) are eligible for a monthly benefit, and TRS will need the following
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Tags: Retiree
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
Plan B
Plan B provides members with 6 survivorship options: Option 1 allows you to possibly leave a lump-sum payment, but no monthly benefit, to a beneficiary(ies) after your death; and Options 2-4 allow you to provide a continuing monthly benefit to a beneficiary(ies) after your death.
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Published: September 17, 2021
Retirement Plans Offered
TRS offers a defined benefit plan of retirement, also known as a 401(a). As its name implies, your retirement benefit is “defined” by calculation using your years of membership service, the average of your highest 24 consecutive months of salary*, and a 2% multiplier.
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Published: September 16, 2021
Changing Your Plan of Retirement
After you begin receiving a monthly retirement benefit, if you have chosen Plan A (Maximum Plan) or Plan B Option 1, you cannot change to a survivorship plan, which allows a monthly benefit to be passed to a beneficiary at your death.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
Start Retirement Planning
The short answer is now! If you are already asking yourself questions about preparing for your financial future, it’s time to start planning!
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Retirement Benefit Options
Although you are probably years away from having to select a retirement plan, it doesn’t hurt to have a general understanding of the TRS plans available.
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
TRS Benefit Formula and Lump-Sum Payments
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Published: September 21, 2020
TRS Retirement Plan Options
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Published: July 24, 2020
New Podcast Episode: Health Plan Decisions Made Easy: For Active & Retired Members feat. Louis Amis
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Published: October 24, 2023
Pre-Retirement Events
Retirement is within reach and it’s time to get serious about it! This workshop will provide you with the information and resources you need to help you map out your retirement plan.
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: August 31, 2021
Published: August 31, 2021
Pre-Retirement Workshop
Retirement is within reach and it’s time to get serious about it! This workshop will provide you with the information and resources you need to help you map out your retirement plan.
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 6, 2021
Published: October 6, 2021
FY2021 Annual Membership Statements Are Available
Active members may now access their membership statements online via their TRS account. The statements provide valuable account information, such as an account balance, the lump-sum value of an account, estimated projections, as well as beneficiary and service credit information.
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Leaving Funds with TRS or Withdrawing Your Funds
If you are thinking about switching careers, moving out of state, or taking a break from education, it may sound tempting to withdraw your funds and receive a lump-sum payment of your contributions and interest
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
Pre-Retirement Counseling Session
Planning for retirement and choosing the right plan for you and your family can be overwhelming. There is a lot at stake and it is important that you understand all of your options, as well as the laws and regulations governing the distribution of your benefit.
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 6, 2021
Published: October 6, 2021
TRS Retirement Plans & Retirement Eligibility
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Published: October 5, 2020
Important Topics for New Members Part 2: Planning Early and Compound Interest
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Published: July 26, 2021
Important Topics for New Members Part 4 of 4: TRS Benefit and Contribution Plans & Additional Resources
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Published: August 16, 2021
Health Plan Decisions Made Easy: For Active & Retired Members feat. Louis Amis
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Beneficiary Designees
As you retire and select your plan of retirement, you will also be selecting primary and secondary beneficiaries. If you choose a beneficiary who is more than ten years younger than you, who is not your spouse, your benefit may be subject to the required minimum distribution incidental benefit (MDIB) rules of the Internal Revenue Service
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Published: September 27, 2021
Determining Your Retirement Benefit
Your retirement benefit is calculated by using the percentage of salary formula. Simply stated, two percent is multiplied by your years of creditable service, including partial years (not to exceed 40 years).
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Pension Calculator
The TRS pension calculator is an educational tool designed to help members, who are more than 5 years from retirement, estimate their monthly benefit for service retirement. You may use this calculator far in advance of your retirement to help you develop your personal retirement strategy by experimenting with various retirement scenarios.
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Published: September 3, 2021
I’m Ready to Retire
Well in advance of your date of retirement, we recommend you contact TRS for a retirement benefit estimate and to discuss the various plans of retirement. If you are considering retiring within the next two years, we recommend that you speak with one of our retirement counselors.
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: September 27, 2021
Published: September 27, 2021
Elective Membership Employer Requirements
Georgia law was amended in 1976 allowing full-time public school lunchroom, maintenance, and warehouse supervisors and managers the option to elect membership in TRS.
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Published: October 6, 2021
Beneficiary Information – Retirees
As a retiree, there are very limited instances where you can change your beneficiary. Should your beneficiary predecease you, you can make new beneficiary designations according to the provisions of the retirement plan under which you retired.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
Death of a Beneficiary
As a retiree, should your beneficiary predecease you, you can make new beneficiary designations according to the provisions of the retirement plan under which you retired.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
How Contributions Work
In order to successfully plan for your retirement, you need to understand how contributions are made to your TRS account. Your pension is funded by 3 sources: member contributions, employer contributions, and investment earnings.
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Calculating Your Benefit
Your retirement benefit is calculated by using the percentage of salary formula. Simply stated, two percent is multiplied by your years of creditable service, including partial years (not to exceed 40 years).
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Service Credit Accrual and Purchase
‘Service credit’ is defined as the number of months and/or years of service you have earned toward retirement. You accrue service credit each month you work in a TRS covered position.
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Death of a Retiree
Upon the death of a retiree, TRS should be contacted as soon as possible (404-352-6500 or 800-352-0650), with the following information
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
At Your Death – Survivor’s Benefits
Should you die prior to retirement, TRS offers survivor benefits to your surviving beneficary(ies).
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Published: October 5, 2021
Reporting Policies and Procedures
In an effort to abide by TRS laws and regulations, maintain accurate records, and provide members with the retirement pensions they’re entitled to, employers are required to submit a detailed member contributions report and Monthly Summarization Report each month.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Mission and Vision
Our Mission…
is to support Georgia educators by providing pension education, safeguarding plan investments, and efficiently administering retirement benefits.
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Published: August 30, 2021
Mid-Career Events
As you continue your career as an educator, it is important to revisit your retirement plan and stay abreast of new information and legislation that may affect your retirement benefit. This workshop will provide you with an overview about the services TRS offers, along with an update on what’s going on in the retirement arena-both at TRS and in the state legislature.
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Published: August 31, 2021
Hosting a TRS Event
Planning for retirement needs to be a priority for our members—the earlier they start, the better off they will be!
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How TRS Benefits You!
Your retirement plan is a defined benefit plan which requires contributions from you and your employer, is determined by a formula based on your years of service and/or age and your final average salary, and will be paid to you throughout your lifetime.
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Hello, Mid-Career Members!
You have been an educator for several years now, but you still have a number of years remaining before you can fully plan your retirement. However, now is the perfect time to acquaint yourself with specific details regarding your forthcoming TRS pension benefit.
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
Leaving Teaching or TRS Covered Employment
If you terminate your TRS covered employment, you may apply for a refund of your contributions and interest. You can either receive a check from TRS, or move your funds to another qualified plan.
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Mid-Career Workshop
As you continue your career as an educator, it is important to revisit your retirement plan and stay abreast of new information and legislation that may affect your retirement benefit.
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: October 6, 2021
Published: October 6, 2021
Limitations to Using Sick Leave
Unused sick leave credit is allowed for Georgia teaching service. Eligible service includes withdrawn and repurchased Georgia teaching service as well as service purchased or transferred from local retirement plans.
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Disability Retiree Employment
If you plan to hire a TRS retiree who retired under disability retirement, you must complete the Employment Verification Form and submit to TRS prior to hiring.
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Published: October 6, 2021
Furloughs and TRS Earnable Compensation
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
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Published: June 5, 2020
Fraud Prevention
As a TRS member, you may receive solicitations from financial services companies that are representing themselves as TRS and communicating pension plan information in ways that may be incorrect or aimed at enhancing their own commissions.
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Published: March 15, 2023
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs)
In addition to your TRS membership, you may be eligible for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) if the cost of living increases as determined by the CPI.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 20, 2021
Published: September 20, 2021
Contribution Withdrawals
While you are employed in a TRS covered position, as stated in Georgia law, you cannot make withdrawals or borrow funds from your account. If you terminate your TRS covered employment you may apply for a refund of contributions and interest.
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Beneficiaries
It is critical that you designate at least one primary and one secondary beneficiary with TRS. To do so, you must log in to your online TRS account and complete the Designate Beneficiary section.
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Additional Steps Needed to Process Your Application
In addition to the information you provide online, there are additional steps you must complete before your application can be processed by TRS.
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
Updating Membership Information
If a member needs to correct a social security number, date of birth, name, or beneficiary, he/she will need to follow the instructions below.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Mid-Career Half-Day Seminar @ UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: June 23, 2023
Published: June 23, 2023
Privacy Policy
Welcome to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia’s (TRS) website (the/this “Site”). Please read this visitor agreement and terms of service; by visiting and using this Site, you accept the following terms:
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Published: August 27, 2021
Dr. Marion Fedrick
Marion Ross Fedrick was appointed as the 10th president of Albany State University on August 14, 2018, by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
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Published: September 18, 2021
Risk & Debt Management
As you move through your career, it is important that you learn how to recognize risks and manage them, along with any debt that you may have, while they can still be managed.
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Full Time Employment
Private School Teaching
Teaching in a State Other than Georgia
Employment in the Private Sector (See Contractual Employment)
Self-Employment (See Contractual Employment)
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
Eligibility For Membership
All personnel employed in a permanent status position, not less than half-time, with local boards of education, charter schools, universities and colleges, technical colleges, Board of Regents, county and regional libraries, RESA’s, and certain State of Georgia agencies are required to be members as a condition of employment.
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Tags: New Hire
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
Eligibility For Membership
All personnel employed in a permanent status position, not less than half-time, with local boards of education, charter schools, universities and colleges, technical colleges, Board of Regents, county and regional libraries, RESA’s, and certain State of Georgia agencies are required to be members as a condition of employment.
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Insurance
The main purpose of having insurance is to hedge against risk. There is a small percentage of Americans that are fully self-insurable—meaning that they have enough assets to cover any financial liabilities that may occur due to health issues or damage to property and intangible assets.
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
Covered Positions
All employees who are employed one-half time or more in covered positions of the state’s public school systems, regional and county libraries, RESA units, or any other agency of and within this state by which a teacher is paid are required to be members of the TRS as a condition of employment.
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Published: October 6, 2021
Membership Eligibility
All personnel employed in a permanent status position not less than half-time by a TRS reporting employer are TRS members in accordance with Georgia law.
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Published: October 6, 2021
Membership Exceptions
Any vested member of TRS who becomes an employee of an employer normally covered by the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) can elect to remain a member of TRS.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Half-Day Pre-Retirement Seminar @ Central Georgia Technical College
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 25, 2022
Published: October 25, 2022
Virtual Pre-Retirement Workshop on YouTube
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: February 20, 2023
Published: February 20, 2023
New Podcast Episode: From the TRS Vault - The Retirement Application Process Revisited
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: February 27, 2023
Published: February 27, 2023
Post-Retirement Half-Day Seminar @ Chattahoochee Technical College
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Tags: Retiree
Published: May 2, 2023
Published: May 2, 2023
Pre-Retirement Half-Day Seminar @ Dalton State College
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 11, 2023
Published: October 11, 2023
Pre-Retirement Seminar @ Kennesaw State University
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: January 22, 2024
Published: January 22, 2024
Legislation
The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia administers its benefits and programs in accordance with applicable state and federal law, and administrative rules. Title 47 of the Official Code Georgia (O. C. G. A.) assigns the authority to establish and amend the provisions of TRS to the State Legislature. State law outlines specific details for state retirement systems, including vesting periods, employee contribution rates, benefit formulas, and retirement eligibility.
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Payment of TRS Contributions Done by ACH Only
For your convenience and the security of payments, you must submit your monthly payment to TRS by ACH.
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Published: October 5, 2021
Earnable Compensation
Earnable compensation is defined as the full regular compensation payable to a member for full normal working time.
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Published: October 6, 2021
Reporting Contact and Address Changes
To report a contact change or an address change for your organization, please log on to the employer desktop and update your information through the employer contact information link.
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Published: October 7, 2021
How to Submit Your Report Electronically
All employers are now required to submit reports electronically by logging on to the Employer Desktop on our website. You may follow the steps below.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Eligibility for Retirement
You are eligible to retire ‘penalty free’ under the following conditions:
Completion of 30 years of creditable service – regardless of your age; or
Completion of 10 years of creditable service, and be age 60 or older.
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: September 27, 2021
Published: September 27, 2021
2021 Retiree Underwithheld Federal Income Tax Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you are a TRS retiree with federal income tax withholding for January and February that was lower than the appropriate amount for your monthly benefit, please refer to the frequently asked questions below to find answers about the issue and resources available to you.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
Leave of Absence
TRS will allow you to extend the normal four-year period in which you may be out of covered employment and still retain an active account by submitting a notice for a leave of absence.
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Eligibility for Retirement
You are eligible to retire ‘penalty free’ under the following conditions:
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Published: October 6, 2021
Preparing Your Employees For Retirement
In an effort to assist your employees, TRS has developed a list of things you can do to help ease the retirement process-for both of you.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Pre-Retirement Workshop @ the Atlanta TRS Office
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: January 25, 2024
Published: January 25, 2024
Pre-Retirement Workshop @ the Atlanta TRS Office
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: January 25, 2024
Published: January 25, 2024
Confidentiality Policy
At the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS), we are committed to honoring the privacy of our members. In an effort to protect our members, we adhere to a strict policy regarding the release of confidential information. The TRS Confidentiality Policy helps to ensure that the release of personal information to a third party is authorized by the member or a properly executed power of attorney or guardian.
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Published: August 27, 2021
New Hire Events
Many people are unable to retire because they started saving too late in life. But not you! You are lucky because as a member of TRS, you and your employer begin contributing toward your retirement your very first day of work. How many people can say they will be guaranteed a retirement benefit for life?
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Published: August 31, 2021
Retiree Events
We have created a workshop aimed at keeping you informed throughout your retirement, including information about what’s new at TRS, membership statistics, a financial update, as well as any legislation that may affect you.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: August 31, 2021
Published: August 31, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 and Teachers Retirement System for Members, Retirees, and Employers
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Retirees: Have Questions Regarding Health Insurance Deductions?
Retirees: Do you have questions regarding the Health Insurance deduction from your monthly payment?
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Tags: Retiree
Published: January 17, 2020
Published: January 17, 2020
Mr. Steve McCoy
Steve McCoy is the Georgia State Treasurer. The Treasurer serves as cash management officer for Georgia on behalf of the State Depository Board responsible for managing over $30 billion of state and local government investments
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Published: September 18, 2021
Welcome, Active Members!
TRS administers the fund from which teachers in the state’s public schools, many employees of the University System of Georgia, and certain other designated employees in educational-related work environments receive retirement benefits.
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Working After Retirement
All employment as a teacher, whether directly or indirectly (i.e. independent contractor, private temporary company, etc.) with a TRS employer is subject to salary and service limitations as outlined in Georgia law and TRS policy.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 20, 2021
Published: September 20, 2021
Pension Limitations
When calculating and paying retirement benefits, Georgia law and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations place certain limitations on salary earned, salary increases received, and retirement payments received.
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Published: September 27, 2021
Unused Sick Leave Credit at Retirement
At retirement, TRS members can establish credit for unused sick leave earned with current and previous TRS employers. If you haven’t been saving your sick leave up until now, you really should start. The more unused sick leave days you have at retirement, the earlier you can retire and the larger your monthly benefit.
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Published: September 27, 2021
Annual Member Statement
Since your employer remits your retirement contributions to TRS, we provide you with the opportunity to review your annual member statement online at any time by logging into your account. You should carefully review your statement at least yearly and report any discrepancies to TRS.
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Published: September 27, 2021
Disability Retirement
A TRS member who is mentally or physically disabled, and who has an active account and at least 10 years service credit is eligible to apply for disability retirement. The inability to satisfactorily perform one’s current work duties, due to health reasons, is the major factor in determining ‘disability.’
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Hello, Pre-Retirement Members!
Congratulations! Retirement is very near for you! We at TRS are ready to guide you through the retirement process, ensuring all your questions are answered, and that you can retire on the date you select!
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
Suspending or Terminating Benefit Payment
If you return to work in a position that does not allow you to continue receiving your monthly benefit payment, you will have the choice to terminate or suspend your retirement.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
New Member Workshop
Many people are unable to retire because they started saving too late in life. But not you! You are lucky because as a member of TRS, you and your employer begin contributing toward your retirement your very first day of work.
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Tags: New Hire
Published: October 6, 2021
Published: October 6, 2021
Post-Retirement Workshop
We have created a workshop aimed at keeping you informed throughout your retirement about what’s going on at TRS, a financial update, as well as any legislation that may affect you.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: October 6, 2021
Published: October 6, 2021
Military Service
Georgia law contains several provisions for the establishment of up to 5 years of retirement credit for periods of active duty military service in the armed forces of the United States. If you have military service prior to 1955, please contact our office.
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State of Georgia Employment
If you were previously a member of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERS) and withdrew your funds, you may establish this service with TRS. You are eligible to purchase your ERS withdrawn service after you have completed the required number of years of active TRS membership.
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Additional Compensation Information
In addition to earnable compensation listed under Compensation and TRS Contributions, leadership employees’ contracts may include additional components that are considered earnable compensation for TRS purposes
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Published: October 6, 2021
Pension Limitations
When calculating and paying retirement benefits, Georgia law and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations place certain limitations on salary earned, salary increases received, and retirement payments received.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Suspending or Terminating Retirement
If a TRS retiree returns to work in any capacity other than what is listed above as acceptable employment, he or she may work one-half time or greater in a TRS-covered position and either suspend or terminate his or her retirement benefit.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Tips and Guidelines for Entering Adjustments
Reporting prior period, retroactive and current month adjustments can be tricky at times. This document is intended to provide helpful clarification on the process.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Unused Sick Leave Credit at Retirement
At retirement, TRS members can establish credit for unused sick leave earned with current and previous TRS employers. If you haven’t been saving your sick leave up until now, you really should start. The more unused sick leave days you have at retirement, the earlier you can retire and the larger your monthly benefit.
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Published: October 7, 2021
Important Updates About Your 2021 Benefit!
Happy 2021 retirees and we hope that this year is off to a great start! You may have noticed a difference in your January, 2021, benefit.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: January 5, 2021
Published: January 5, 2021
Post-Retirement Statewide Seminar at Chattahoochee Technical College
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Tags: Retiree
Published: May 11, 2022
Published: May 11, 2022
Mid-Career Statewide Half-Day Seminar at Gwinnett County Public Schools Instructional Support Center
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: May 16, 2022
Published: May 16, 2022
Mid-Career Half-Day Seminar @ Middle Georgia State University
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: August 3, 2023
Published: August 3, 2023
Post-Retirement Seminar @ Clayton State University
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Tags: Retiree
Published: March 25, 2024
Published: March 25, 2024