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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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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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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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Public School Employees Retirement Credit
If you have been a member of the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) and your duties have changed so that you are now a manager or supervisor and are now eligible for membership in TRS, you may be eligible to establish credit for service rendered in a public school system prior to the date you became a member of TRS.
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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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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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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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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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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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Workers Compensation Disability
You may be eligible to establish retirement credit for a temporary disability caused by a job-related disease or accident. The maximum period is twelve months and must be applied for within six months of returning to service following the temporary disability.
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Study Leave
You may be eligible to establish retirement credit for periods of full-time graduate study.
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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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Service Credit
The chart below indicates the three types of service that can comprise your total years of creditable service upon retirement. Purchasing service can assist you in attaining vested status, allowing you to retire sooner or increasing your final retirement benefit.
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Tags: Mid-Career
Published: October 5, 2021
Published: October 5, 2021
From the TRS Vault: The Retirement Application Process Part II – TRS Workshops, Service Purchases, & Working in Retirement
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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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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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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
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
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
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 Employment – Service Retirees
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 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 2021
How and When to Use Sick Leave
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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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
Contact Management and Employer Services
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Published: March 18, 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
Contractual Employment
If you are engaged in an independent contracting relationship, or employed by a private entity doing business with a TRS covered employer in a position which would normally be held by a teacher as determined by the Board of Trustees, your compensation is limited to one half of the average annual compensation used to calculate your retirement benefit or your final salary at the time of your retirement, whichever is greater.
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Tags: Retiree
Published: September 28, 2021
Published: September 28, 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
Retirement Services: Beneficiaries, Over Payments and Retiree Pension Checks- Part 1
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Published: October 20, 2020
Member Services: Counseling Sessions, Benefit Estimates, Retirement Applications, & Disability Retirement
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Published: March 29, 2021
Cost Calculation Requests Now Available Online
To request a service purchase cost calculation, simply click the myTRS Log In button and log in to your account.
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Published: March 29, 2019
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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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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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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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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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
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
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
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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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
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
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
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
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
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
Maximizing Your Benefit
As a member of TRS, the amount you contribute is determined by law, so you may not increase your contribution amount in an effort to increase your retirement benefit.
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Tags: Mid-Career
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
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
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
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 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: January 25, 2024
Published: January 25, 2024
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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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 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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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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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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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
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
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
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
New Podcast Episode: From the TRS Vault: The Retirement Application Process Part II
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Published: May 15, 2023
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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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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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
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
Investment Committee Meeting
Upcoming board and/or committee meetings information and agenda(s).
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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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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
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
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
Helpful Links
Here is a list of websites that we at TRSGA believe may be of interest or use to you.
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Published: October 5, 2021
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
Designating a Contact Person to Work with TRS
When designating contact persons, you can name one staff member to serve as the contact for more than one TRS division; however, two staff members cannot share one contact position.
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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
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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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
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
Hiring TRS Retirees
Retired members of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) have the ability to be employed on either a full or part-time basis under certain terms and conditions.
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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
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
Post-Retirement Half-Day Seminar @ Chattahoochee Technical College
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Tags: Retiree
Published: May 2, 2023
Published: May 2, 2023
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
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
Ms. Deborah K. Simonds
Ms. Simonds is a retired teacher from Georgia. She was a High School Special Education teacher for 27 years at Berkmar High School in Gwinnett.
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Published: September 18, 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
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