Your Retirement in Focus

Do you have member or employer questions? Did you ever wonder how TRS assists its members? Do you have questions and are unsure of how to reach us?  How do I register for a TRS account? How do I reset my password? What are contributions? Who are TRS-covered employers? What happens after I obtain 40 years of service? Director, Paige Donaldson, Contact Management Supervisor, Alicia Sanders and Operations Manager Cherie Brown are all geared up to answer all of your questions!  For comments or questions: [email protected]

Host: Everett Crocket

Join us as we wrap up our first season! This episode will highlight TRS's SCCP campaign, Are You Ready To Apply For Retirement, Retirement Plans and Working After Retirement episodes, TRS updates and more! We want to hear from our members! Please email the show for topic inquiries, questions and comments! Contact us at [email protected]. 

Host: Everett Crockett 

For more information visit: www.trsga.com

 Are you wondering about payments after death? Do you need clarity on primary and secondary beneficiaries? Do you have questions about sick leave and receiving your benefit check? Listen as we dive into our Retirement Services Division and get all of your questions answered! 

Guests: Cory Buice, Jennifer Alridge, Evangeline Griffin

Host: Everett Crockett

In this episode, we will discuss the benefit formula, how contributions and interest work, benefit amounts, deductions and legislative updates. At retirement, in addition to selecting Plan A (maximum plan) or Plan B (survivor-ship plan), you may also elect to receive a one-time lump-sum distribution (cash payment) in addition to your monthly retirement benefit. Would you like to know more about distribution options? We will explain what makes members eligible for a Partial Lump-Sum Option payment. 

Are you recently retired? Are you planning on working after you retire? Are you unsure of the rules? Do you want to know more about working at 49% capacity? If so, take a listen to this episode as we speak with Retirement Services Operations Manager, Christy Gray in the Working After Retirement section of TRS. She will spend some time with us explaining rules and guidelines for returning to work. She answers some of our most frequently asked questions!

Topics include Re-Retirement, Contract Work, Disability, Job Categories, Indirect VS Direct Employment, Part-Time VS Salary, Suspension vs Terminating Retirement and so much more!

Teacher's Retirement System of Georgia has 7 plan options to choose from at retirement.  On this episode, we will review the options available to our members. TRS offers a defined benefit plan of retirement, also known as a 401(a). As its name implies, your retirement benefit is “defined” by calculation using your years of membership service, the average of your highest 24 consecutive months of salary*, and a 2% multiplier. Under this plan, you assume no investment risk, plus you have survivor and disability protection while you are an active member. Also, you are guaranteed retirement income for the rest of your life.

Under TRS’s defined benefit plan, you are offered two plans of retirement.  Basically, Plan A provides a retirement benefit only to you. Plan B offers benefits to your beneficiary at your death.

Under Plan A and Plan B, you may also elect to receive a partial lump-sum distribution (cash payment) in exchange for a reduced lifetime benefit. 

Your decision is very important. Once you start receiving a monthly retirement benefit you cannot change your plan of retirement except under limited conditions as covered in changing your plan of retirement.

Remember to subscribe and like our podcast! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and  checkout our TRS Beneficiary Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgJ1WO2fCN0 on YouTube.  

This episode is highlighting the Communications Division, which essentially functions as the face of the agency. This division handles marketing, outreach, and training our employers. We chat with the new Director of Communications and Outreach, Winston Buckley about his vision. We discuss the past, present, and the future of what’s next for this department. Topics include Planning, Employer Training, and Workshops for Active Members and Retirees. 

Guest 1: Winston Buckley, Director of Communications and Outreach

Guest 2: Mike Zarem Program and Outreach Manager

Guest 3: Dr. Candice Jackson, Retirement Planning Manager

Guest 4: Angela Swisher, Retirement Planning Manager

Guest 5: Jerry LeBlanc, Retirement Planner/Trainer

- Subscribe to our podcast! Available on most platforms including iHeart Radio and Castbox!

- Leave us a Message-Click the button in Anchor or copy link to web browser

- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter/TRSGA, YouTube/TRSGA

So, are you ready to retire? What's next? Join us as we navigate the application process, types of service purchases, and processing service purchase requests. Topics: Deadlines and Application Process, Do's and Don'ts of Service Purchases, Review of the types of Service Purchases 

"This is our peak season in New Retirements"...... Operations Manager, Carlos Marshall discusses the application process, service purchases by Team Lead Monica Castine, along with Myra Woodson Refund and Service Purchase Supervisor both from Member Services. Send us a message and subscribe!