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Investment Committee Meeting
Upcoming board and/or committee meetings information and agenda(s).
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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
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
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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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
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
Auditing of Retiree Accounts
TRS reviews all retiree employment on a monthly basis, just as it does all active members. Additionally, TRS performs detailed audits of TRS retirees’ employment records from both the Department of Audits and the Department of Labor.
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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
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
Establishing Membership Service
During your employment in a TRS covered position, you make monthly contributions to TRS, via employer payroll deductions, and earn service credit.
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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
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
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
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
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
Enrolling Employees in TRS
New employees are automatically enrolled as members of TRS based on the information you submit in the monthly employee detail file. Each new member receives a welcome letter, which includes instructions on how to register for an online TRS account.
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Published: October 6, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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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
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
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
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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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
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
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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Allowable Employment – Disability Retirees
If you retired on a disability retirement, Georgia law imposes salary limitations on disability retirees.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
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
Part Time Hourly and Salaried
A TRS retiree who retired on a service retirement may return to work as a teacher on a less than half-time basis. If working less than half-time, the hourly rate or salary cannot exceed 49% of the compensation that would normally be paid to you if you worked on a full-time basis in the position.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
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
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
At 40 Years of Service
If you have at least forty years of service credit, you may elect to discontinue your contributions to TRS, as 40 years is the maximum number of years your retirement calculation can be based upon. Per Georgia law, this election is irrevocable.
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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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Beneficiary Information – Active Members
When you joined TRS, you were instructed to go online and provide TRS with your beneficiary designations. It is important to keep accurate beneficiary information on file with TRS.
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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
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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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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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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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
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
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
When Are Benefits Paid
If your properly completed application is received by TRS at least 30 days prior to your effective date of retirement, and all your allowable service has been established, you should receive your first benefit payment during your first month of retirement.
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Tags: Pre-Retirement
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 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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The Funding of Your TRS Account
All members of TRS currently contribute 6.00% of earnable compensation* to TRS by payroll deduction. Earnable compensation is defined as the full regular compensation payable to a member for his full normal working time. Contributions are made on a before-federal tax basis.
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Awarding of Credit
To have your unused sick leave credited toward your retirement you must complete the member section of the Sick Leave Certification Form during the online retirement application process
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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
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
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
Eligibility for Retirement
You are eligible to retire ‘penalty free’ under the following conditions:
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Published: October 6, 2021
Member Account Information Requests
At the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS), we are committed to honoring the privacy of our customers. In an effort to protect our members, we have tightened our policy regarding the release of confidential information.
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Published: October 6, 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
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
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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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
Governance
A Board of Trustees administers the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS). State statutes provide that the administration of the System be vested in a ten-member Board of Trustees
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Published: August 30, 2021
Mr. Kenneth Dyer
Mr. Kenneth Dyer was selected in February 2017 by the Dougherty County Board of Education to become the district’s superintendent after having served as Associate Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer.
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Published: September 18, 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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Publications
Review our annual reports, actuarial valuations and miscellaneous publications.
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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
Post-Retirement Seminar @ Clayton State University
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Tags: Retiree
Published: March 25, 2024
Published: March 25, 2024
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
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
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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A Message to Our Members About the Coronavirus from Executive Director L.C. Buster Evans
We are grateful to have the opportunity to serve our members by ensuring that you have a benefit that you can count on. There is a lot of uncertainty right now but I want to assure you that we are closely monitoring important developments.
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