When a member meets the requirements for a normal age retirement and applies to retire, the retiree is entitled to receive a payment of a lifetime monthly annuity. The annuity is calculated according to the standard annuity benefit formula in effect at the time of retirement. Under current law, there are 6 tiers in place to determine your retirement eligibility. Below is an example of an annuity calculated for a retiree in Tier 2.
Service in a TRS-eligible position that was not reported to TRS at the time the service was rendered is considered “unreported.” Additionally, service as a substitute for 90 or more actual workdays in a school year may also be eligible for service credit as unreported service.
If you are an active TRS member with at least 5 years of TRS service credit, you may be eligible to purchase up to 5 years of service credit for active military duty you rendered in the Armed Forces.
Service credit must be paid in full by the time of retirement. The 3 basic methods of making payment for service credit purchases are:
To be eligible to retire and receive a lifetime monthly service retirement annuity (normal age or early age), you must meet all of the following requirements:
To work after retirement without revocation of retirement or loss of benefits, a retiree must:
Acute Shortage Area Exception: Retirees may work on as much as a full-time basis without limitation as a teacher in an acute shortage area. The exception is limited to certified classroom teachers.
Principal or Assistant Principal Exception: Retirees may work on as much as a full-time basis without limitation as a Principal or Assistant Principal provided they meet certain requirements.
Please note, TRS refers members to EFS Financial for advice on retirement choices. For more information call our office at (713) 520-0010.
Source: TRS Website - trs.texas.gov
Learn more about the Teachers Retirement Services program.
Learn more about the five TRS Annuity options available.
At retirement, an eligible service retiree may select a partial lump sum option (PLSO) distribution in addition to either a reduced standard annuity or a reduced optional form of annuity. Learn more >