As a member, regardless of your age or years of service credit, you may apply for disability retirement if you are mentally or physically disabled from the further performance of your duty, and your disability is probably permanent. The TRS Medical Board must certify your disability. To certify a disability, the Medical Board reviews information provided by the member and the member’s physician, along with clinical evidence such as medical history, diagnostic tests, and laboratory results.
- If you qualify for disability retirement and have at least 10 years of service credit, you are entitled to a monthly annuity that is not reduced due to early age.
- If you have less than 10 years of service credit, TRS provides a monthly disability retirement benefit of $150 that is payable for the lesser of the number of months you have been covered by TRS, the duration of your disability, or your lifetime.
Video: Disability Retirement
Applying for Disability Retirement
Complete and submit Form TRS 18 – Request for Estimate of Retirement Benefits (pdf)
TRS will mail retirement packet within 60 days.
- Review retirement options
Purchase service credit or transfer credit
TRS will provide a service credit purchase statement for eligible purchases.
Optional: Schedule an appointment with a Benefits Counselor
TRS counselor will meet with you one-on-one to review your retirement estimate and guide you through the paperwork.
- *Form TRS 59A –Statement of Member in Claim for Disability Retirement
- *Form TRS 58 –Statement of Attending Physician in Claim for Disability Retirement
- Form TRS 59 – Application for Disability Retirement
Form TRS 30 – Application for Service Retirement
Complete ONLY if eligible and wish to apply for service retirement in the event your disability retirement is not approved
Form TRS 278 – Direct Deposit Request
TRS processes request to ensure your annuity payment is delivered directly to your account.
IRS Form W-4P –Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments
TRS will use this to determine annuity payment Federal Income Tax Withholding.
- Driver’s license or birth certificate for age verification
*Required for Medical Review.
- If you are currently employed by a TRS-covered employer, you must terminate all employment by the effective retirement date.
- Certification of Employment TerminationTRS will contact your employer(s) near your retirement date to confirm your termination date and final salary information.
TRS certifies retirement and annuity payment information. TRS sends a final letter.