Videos
Requesting a Refund
#7 – Should I Get A Refund?
What Tier Am I?
FAQs
Retirement Eligible
When considering retirement, the first thing you need to know is which tier you fall into. Knowing your tier can help you better understand if/when you’re eligible for retirement as well as the requirements and reductions that apply to you.
Here are some resources you can use to find your tier:
- Online Interactive Tool: TRS Tier Placement Map
- TRS Annual Statement: Locate your tier under the “Retirement Account Summary” section on the front page of your annual statement
- Video: What Tier Am I?
- Guide to Understanding Your Tier (pdf)
Retiring can be a simple process if you plan ahead. The Planning for Retirement webpage provides information and helps you to decide when it is the right time for you to begin the retirement process and what retirement options are available for you.
Here are some resources you can use to plan for retirement:
There are a couple of different ways to request a retirement estimate and packet:
- MyTRS – Log in and request an estimate (located under the Planning Tools tab)
- Complete and submit a Request for Estimate of Retirement Benefits to TRS:
- Request for Estimate of Retirement Benefits (Form TRS 18)
- Request for Estimate of Retirement Benefits (Form TRS 18) (en Espanol)
This resource is a general example of the retirement process timeline. Your specific timeline may differ:
To be eligible for TRS-Care as a service retiree, an individual must have at least 10 years of service credit in TRS.
Here are some resources you can use to determine if you are eligible for TRS-Care:
Visit the Statewide Benefit Presentations and Individual Retirement Counseling Sessions
- Or Log in to MyTRS to schedule an appointment. You can schedule the following in MyTRS: office visits, benefit presentations and group retirement counseling sessions.
Whether a service retiree or disability retiree, there are important things you should know before returning to work for a TRS-covered employer after you retire.
Learn all about Employment After Retirement (EAR) here:
Not Retirement Eligible
If you terminated your employment with all TRS-Covered employers and have not earned five years of service, you are not eligible for TRS benefits.
Your account will remain active for five years and earn 2% interest annually during that time. If you don’t return to TRS-Covered employment, after five years it will become inactive and no longer earn interest.
To learn more about refunding your account, watch this Requesting a Refund Member Education video and this Should I Get a Refund Financial Awareness video.
Download the Requesting a Refund (pdf) and TRS Account Withdrawal Process (pdf) brochures to learn about the process.
You can Log in to MyTRS to schedule apply for a refund or prepare and submit the Application for Refund (Form TRS 6) form.
The refund form is available on our website or you may reach a counselor at 800-223-8778 and one will be mailed to you. Once completed, you may fax the form to 512-542-6597 or mail it to the following address:
Teacher Retirement System of Texas
1000 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701-2698