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• Table of Contents
• Key plan provisions
• Plan 2 membership definition
• Can I transfer to Plan 3?
• When should I start planning for retirement?
• Who pays for my benefits?
• What is service credit?
• Claiming credit for substitute teaching
• Can I recover past service credit?
• What if I leave my TRS position?
• What if I’ve previously been a member of another retirement system
• How do I retire?
• What is my service retirement benefit?
• How does early retirement affect my benefit?
• What are my benefit options?
• What is the option to purchase additional service credit?
• Am I eligible for health insurance coverage after I leave employment?
• Can my benefit increase after I retire?
• What if I work after retirement?
• What if I become disabled before I retire?
• What benefits do my survivors receive?
• Taxation and assignment of benefits
• Why does DRS need my Social Security number?
• Administrative information
• Contacting DRS

Teachers' Retirement System

When should I start planning for retirement?

Planning for retirement is an on-going process. The sooner you start the more likely you are to enjoy a comfortable and successful retirement. Here are some simple things you can do to help prepare for retirement:

• As soon as possible, attend one of the DRS Retirement Planning Seminars. These full-day sessions feature qualified speakers on a number of retirement subjects and are free of charge. The dates and locations for these seminars are announced in the member newsletter, Retirement Outlook, and on our Web site.
• If military service interrupts your teaching career, submit a copy of your DD214 to DRS to determine if your active service is creditable.
• Calculate your future retirement benefit using the Online Account Access service. You can run a variety of retirement scenarios to see what works best for you.
• Because there are statutory time limits on restoring contributions withdrawn from your state pension, obtain a copy of the DRS brochure, Plan 2 Recovery of Withdrawn or Optional Service Credit, and review the rules that apply to your situation.