As a TRS member, if you permanently terminate all employment with your TRS-covered employer(s) and have neither applied for nor received a promise of employment with a TRS-covered employer, you may terminate membership in TRS and withdraw all of the accumulated contributions (plus interest) in your member account. TRS encourages members to carefully consider all of their options before doing so. Partial withdrawals are not allowed.
Submit a Refund Application
Members can submit a refund request electronically by logging in to the MyTRS member portal. Review the steps below to understand the process and timeline.
How to Apply for a Refund
When applying for your refund, we encourage you to submit your request electronically using MyTRS. Log in to your account; navigate to the Benefits tab; and then select the Apply for a Refund option from the drop-down menu. Follow the steps and instructions listed on screen to submit your request. Note: If applying for a refund electronically, only steps 4-6 below will apply.
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Obtain Application for Refund Form (TRS 6)
Obtain Application for Refund form (TRS 6) and Special Tax Notice Regarding Rollover Options under TRS from the TRS website or by calling the TRS Automated Telephone System at 1-800-223-8778.
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Read and Complete Application for Refund Form (TRS 6)
After obtaining your refund form, read, complete and sign the form. Then, have it notarized. This certifies that you have terminated all employment with your TRS-covered employer(s) and have not applied for or received any promise of employment with another. If your name on the form is different than TRS records, you must send TRS a social security card or a copy of the court order or marriage license documenting your name change. If your agent under a power of attorney signs the request on your behalf, a copy of the power of attorney must be submitted to TRS for review before the refund may be processed.
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Send Completed Application and Required Documentation
Send the completed application and any required documentation to:
Mail:
Teacher Retirement System of Texas
P.O. Box 149676
Austin, Texas 78714-0815Fax:
Completed applications may also be faxed to 512-542-6597.Upload Online:
Upload completed forms and documents securely online in lieu of mailing and faxing. -
TRS Reaches Out to Employer for Processing
TRS may contact your previous employer(s) to confirm your date(s) of termination and final monthly contributions. Your employer(s) will submit a monthly payroll report, which contains your final salary and deposit to TRS, after the end of the calendar month in which your employer(s) made its final payment(s) to you.
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Elect to Roll Over All or Part of Your Refund
If you would like to roll over all or part of your refund, TRS will send you a Refund Rollover Election form (TRS 6A). Also refer to the Special Tax Notice Regarding Rollover Options under TRS attached to the Application for Refund form (TRS 6). You must complete and sign the Refund Rollover Election form (TRS 6A), indicating the amount you wish to roll over. The representative of the retirement plan receiving your rollover must also sign the form to certify that the plan is eligible to receive the rollover of funds.
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TRS Issues Refund Payment
After we receive all required documents and your account has been reconciled with the last deposits from your employer(s), TRS will issue you a refund payment. The payment will not be processed if records show that you have been re-employed by a TRS-covered employer. Your payment may also be held for other reasons such as owing money to the state for delinquent child support or for owing money on federal or state taxes.