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FY 2020 Salary Limit & FY 2021 Contribution Rate Memo
In its annual meeting on May 15, 2019, the TRS Board of Trustees adopted maximum salary increases for fiscal year 2020 along with the employee and employer contribution rates for fiscal year 2021.
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Published: May 29, 2019
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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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
1099-R IRS Forms for Tax Year 2023
Retirees may download their 1099R forms now by logging into your account.
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1099Rs for Tax Year 2018
1099Rs were mailed on Wednesday, January 23rd. You can download your 2018 1099R now by logging into your account.
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Published: January 11, 2019
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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Legislative Update 2019
During the legislative session, TRS posts legislative updates from the Georgia General Assembly that may affect the teachers pension system. Pending legislation is sponsored by members of the Georgia House or Senate, and does not become law until the Governor signs the bill. TRS does not draft or lobby for/against any legislation.
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Published: February 25, 2019
2021 TRS Year End Recap with Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans
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Tags: Retiree
Published: December 3, 2021
Published: December 3, 2021
The Best of Your Retirement in Focus - Highlights of 2021
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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
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
Contribution Rates
TRS employer and employee contribution rates from fiscal year 1980 to present
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Published: October 6, 2021
Salary Limitations
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
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Published: July 1, 2020
2022 Federal Income Tax Withholding Rates
TRS processed January 2022 monthly retirement benefits using the federal income tax withholding rates for 2021, the federal rates publicly available at the time. The IRS released the 2022 rates in the second half of December, after the deadline for timely payment processing.
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Published: January 27, 2022
TRS Awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA)
The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia is pleased to announce that the annual comprehensive report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, received the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
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Published: July 11, 2022
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
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
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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Late Payment Penalty
As provided for in section 47-3-42 of Georgia law, a late payment penalty of 1.5% per month (or fraction of a month) may be assessed on reporting employers whose monthly contribution payments are not received by the 10th day of the reporting month.
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Published: October 7, 2021
The History of TRS
The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) was established in 1943 by an act of the Georgia General Assembly to provide retirement security to those citizens who choose to dedicate their lives to educating the children and adults of Georgia.
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Maternity Leave
You can purchase credit for periods of absence from employment due to pregnancy prior to March 5, 1976. One and one-half months of credit may be awarded for each pregnancy with a maximum of six months allowable for all pregnancies.
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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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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
Hiring Employees Vested In ERS of Georgia
Legislation (HB 661) was passed and became effective July 1, 1998, that allows any vested member of the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) who becomes an employee of an employer normally covered by TRS to remain a member of the ERS
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Published: October 6, 2021
Board Meeting Minutes
The TRS Board of Trustees meet six times a year at the TRS office in Atlanta. Meeting minutes for items discussed during open session are provided below:
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Published: September 18, 2021
Publications
Review our annual reports, actuarial valuations and miscellaneous publications.
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Historical Rates
Employer & Member Contribution Rates & IRS Salary Limits
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Published: October 6, 2021
Board of Trustees' Sets:
In its annual meeting held today, May 11, 2022, the Board of Trustees adopted the following maximum IRS Salary Limits that can be used by the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) to compute a member’s highest two-year average salary
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Unused Sick Leave Credit at Retirement
At retirement, TRS members can establish credit for unused sick leave earned with current and previous employers. Based on Georgia law, a member can receive credit for unused sick leave at retirement only if he or she has not received payment of any kind for the leave
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Tags: Retiree
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
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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Pre-Retirement Workshop @ TRS Atlanta Office
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: September 6, 2022
Published: September 6, 2022
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
Pre-Retirement Workshop @ the Atlanta TRS Office
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: January 25, 2024
Published: January 25, 2024
Your TRS Representative
View a list of employers and their TRS assigned representative
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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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Investment Committee Meeting
Upcoming board and/or committee meetings information and agenda(s).
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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
Economic Impact
Teacher pensions play a vital role in Georgia's economy. This brochure provides a detailed look at how TRS retirees contribute to the economic success of this great State.
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Published: September 17, 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
Board Meetings
Regular meetings are held by the TRS Board of Trustees bi-monthly on the fourth Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September and November of each year, or on such other dates as the Board shall decide.
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Published: September 18, 2021
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
Hello, Retirees!
Thank you for your service and dedication to the education of the children, youth, and adults of the great state of Georgia! You have worked hard for many years, and now you can count on TRS to provide you with the retirement benefits the State provides you.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 20, 2021
Published: September 20, 2021
Welcome, Employers!
Our website is your source for the latest information from TRS, Georgia’s largest public employee retirement system. At TRS, we strive to provide information and materials that will enable you to fulfill your pension administration obligations for your employees.
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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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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
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
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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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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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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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
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
Federal and State Taxes
All or most of your TRS monthly benefit is subject to federal income tax, with exact details furnished to you at the time of your retirement.
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
Social Security Offset
Your TRS retirement benefit is not reduced, or affected in any way, by a benefit you are eligible to receive from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
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
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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Private School Service
Georgia law allows TRS service credit to be established for time spent as a teacher employed in an accredited private school within Georgia.
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Visiting Scholar Credit
A maximum of two years of service as a visiting scholar at a public college or university may be established as service credit by members who were granted a leave of absence from a unit of the University System of Georgia for such purpose.
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Withdrawn Accounts
If you have previously terminated your TRS membership, and subsequently you return to service, you may reestablish your withdrawn service.
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Allowable Sick Leave Usage and Attendance Incentive Programs
Employers should notify TRS of all sick leave policies in use for compliance with Georgia law. System policies must be consistent for all employees.
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Published: October 6, 2021
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
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
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
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
Georgia is Counting on You
Census data powers much of what we do. Government, business, and many social activities and programs are affected by Census data.
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Published: September 14, 2020
Video: Economic Impact of Teacher Pensions in Georgia
A detailed look at how TRS retirees contribute to the economic success of Georgia.
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Published: November 20, 2019
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
Central Georgia Technical College: Pre-Retirement
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: July 2, 2022
Published: July 2, 2022
Virtual Individual Pre-Retirement Counseling Sessions
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: August 26, 2022
Published: August 26, 2022
Pre-Retirement Workshop @ TRS Atlanta Office
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: September 8, 2022
Published: September 8, 2022
Half-Day Pre-Retirement Seminar @ Central Georgia Technical College
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 25, 2022
Published: October 25, 2022
Pre-Retirement Workshop @ the Atlanta TRS Office
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: January 11, 2023
Published: January 11, 2023
Pre-Retirement Workshop @ the Atlanta TRS Office
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: January 11, 2023
Published: January 11, 2023
Pre-Retirement Workshop @ the Atlanta TRS Office
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: February 6, 2023
Published: February 6, 2023
Virtual Pre-Retirement Workshop on YouTube
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: February 20, 2023
Published: February 20, 2023
Mid-Career Half-Day Seminar @ Middle Georgia State University
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: August 3, 2023
Published: August 3, 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
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: February 5, 2024
Published: February 5, 2024
Post-Retirement Seminar @ Clayton State University
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Tags: Retiree
Published: March 25, 2024
Published: March 25, 2024
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
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
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
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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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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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
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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Out of State Service
After completing six years as a contributing member of TRS, you may establish one year of credit for service rendered in a public educational institution of another state. With the completion of each additional year of Georgia service thereafter, you may establish an additional year of out-of-state service, to a maximum of ten years.
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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
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
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
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