TRS has several distinct membership categories, called tiers.
Knowing your tier can help you better understand the requirements and reductions that apply to you. You can also find out the age and years of service you must have to be eligible for normal age service retirement, early-age service retirement, and the Partial Lump Sum Option.
You tier is determined by:
- the date you entered your current TRS membership
- your “grandfathered” status
- the amount of service credit you had on Aug. 31, 2014
You are a grandfathered member if you met at least one of the following criteria as a member of TRS before Sept. 1, 2005:
- you were at least 50 years of age,
- your age and years of service credit totaled at least 70, or
- you had at least 25 years of service credit.
Tier Placement Map: Find Your Tier!
Use this tool to find your TRS membership tier.
Know your TRS tier
Answer a few simple questions
TRS Membership Tiers Overview
You can also read more about the tiers in this Guide to Understanding Your Tier.
Eligibility for:
Normal-Age Retirement
Age 65 with at least five years of service credit
OR
Meet the Rule of 80 with
at least five years of service credit
Early-Age Retirement
At least age 55 with five or more years of service credit but do not meet the Rule of 80
OR
30 or more years of service credit
but do not meet the Rule of 80
Normal-Age Retirement Annuity
Your monthly annuity will be calculated using the average of your highest three annual salaries (based on creditable compensation) and according to the standard annuity benefit formula in effect when you retire.
Eligibility for:
Normal-Age Retirement
Age 65 with at least five years of service credit
OR
Meet the Rule of 80 with
at least five years of service credit
Early-Age Retirement
At least age 55 with five or more years of service credit but do not meet the Rule of 80
OR
30 or more years of service credit
but do not meet the Rule of 80
Normal-Age Retirement Annuity
Your monthly annuity will be calculated using the average of your highest five annual salaries (based on creditable compensation) and according to the standard annuity benefit formula in effect when you retire.
Eligibility for:
Normal-Age Retirement
Age 65 with at least five years of service credit
OR
At least age 60, meet the Rule of 80, with
at least five years of service credit
Early-Age Retirement
At least age 55, with five or more years of service credit, but do not meet the Rule of 80
OR
At least 30 years of service credit, do not meet the Rule of 80, and are less than age 60
OR
Meet the Rule of 80, with
at least five years of service credit, but are less than age 60
Normal-Age Retirement Annuity
Annuity Your monthly annuity will be calculated using the average of your highest five annual salaries (based on creditable compensation) and according to the standard annuity benefit formula in effect when you retire.
Eligibility for:
Normal-Age Retirement
Age 65 with at least five years of service credit
OR
At least age 60, meet the Rule of 80, with
at least five years of service credit
Early-Age Retirement
At least age 55, with five or more years of service credit, but do not meet the Rule of 80
OR
At least 30 years of service credit, do not meet the Rule of 80, and are less than age 60
OR
Less than age 60, but meet the Rule of 80, with at least five years of service credit
Normal-Age Retirement Annuity
Your monthly annuity will be calculated using the average of your highest three annual salaries (based on creditable compensation) and according to the standard annuity benefit formula in effect when you retire.
Eligibility for:
Normal-Age Retirement
Age 65 with at least five years of service credit
OR
At least age 62, meet the Rule of 80, with
at least five years of service credit
Early-Age Retirement
At least age 55, with five or more years of service credit, but do not meet the Rule of 80
OR
At least 30 years of service credit, do not meet the Rule of 80, and are less than age 62
OR
Meet the Rule of 80, with at least five years of service credit,
but are less than age 62
Normal-Age Retirement Annuity
Your monthly annuity will be calculated using the average of your highest five annual salaries (based on creditable compensation) and according to the standard annuity benefit formula in effect when you retire.
Eligibility for:
Normal-Age Retirement
Age 65 with at least five years of service credit
OR
At least age 62, meet the Rule of 80, with
at least five years of service credit
Early-Age Retirement
At least age 55, with five or more years of service credit, but do not meet the Rule of 80
OR
At least 30 years of service credit, do not meet the Rule of 80, and are less than age 62
OR
Less than age 62, but meet the Rule of 80, with at least five years of service credit
Normal-Age Retirement Annuity
Your monthly annuity will be calculated using the average of your highest three annual salaries (based on creditable compensation) and according to the standard annuity benefit formula in effect when you retire.