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• Members

• Table of Contents
• Key plan provisions
• Plan 1 membership definition
• When should I start planning for retirement?
• Who pays for my benefits?
• What is service credit?
• Claiming credit for substitute teaching
• Can I purchase credit for past service?
• What if I leave my TRS position?
• Reestablishing membership
• Can I restore credit for past service?
• What if I’ve previously been a member of another retirement system
• How do I retire?
• Can I obtain a refund of contributions paid after 30 years of service?
• What is my service retirement benefit?
• What are my benefit options?
• What is the purchase additional service credit option?
• Can I continue health care coverage after I retire?
• Can my benefit increase after I retire?
• What if I work after retirement?
• What if I become disabled?
• 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

How do I retire?

Vesting

You have a vested right to a retirement benefit after you earn five or more service credit years. “Vesting” means you have earned the right to a future benefit, even if your covered employment ends. However, if you withdraw your contributions and terminate your membership, you give up your right to retirement benefits.

As you get closer to retirement

Consider the following:

• If you are within a year of your retirement date, request an estimate of your benefit from DRS. DRS will send a retirement application with your estimate.
• Use Online Account Access to create an estimate of your retirement benefit and to check the accuracy of your service credit. If you find information that you think is incorrect, contact DRS.
• Evaluate the option to purchase additional service credit when you retire. See “What is the purchase additional service credit option?”.
• Review options for health care coverage after retirement. Contact the Health Care Authority (HCA) at 1-800-200-1004 or visit the HCA Web site for more information.
• Consider “catch-up” options for the Deferred Compensation Program or other employer-sponsored programs.
• Obtain a copy of IRS Publication 575, Pension and Annuity Income, available on the IRS Web site.
• Contact the Social Security office periodically to review the accuracy of your file. The toll-free telephone number for Social Security information is 1-800-772-1213. You can also obtain valuable information about Social Security and Medicare by visiting the Social Security Administration Web site

Applying for retirement

You can complete the entire retirement process via the mail (DRS contact information). If you prefer to visit DRS to review your account information and retirement options, Retirement Services Analysts are available to assist you. Please call for an appointment.

If you write to DRS for specific information about your pension account, be sure to provide your Social Security number and signature.