Retirement
As a school district employee, you are in the unique position of earning a pension upon retiring. This pension is either referred to as the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or Public School Employee Retirement Plan (PSERS). While these are wonderful benefits, the pension amount is still not enough to ensure that your Golden Years are all you deserve them to be.
TRS/PSERS Education Video:
Teacher Retirement System of Georgia
Members are enrolled in defined benefit pension plan for retirement.
Thinking of Retiring – TRS
TRS Benefit Retirement Options
How is your retirement benefit calculated? Your retirement benefit is calculated by using the percentage of salary formula. Simply stated, two percent is multiplied by your years of creditable service, including partial years (not to exceed 40 years). This product is then multiplied by your average monthly salary for your two highest consecutive years of membership service.
For more information, go to TRS Website
Download TRS forms
Contact Information:
Teachers Retirement System of Georgia
Two Northside 75, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30318
800-532-0650
Public School Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia
Members are enrolled in defined benefit pension plan for retirement.
Thinking of Retiring – PSERS
ERS Benefit Retirement Options
If you qualify by years of service and age, PSERS provides lifetime retirement benefits, disability benefits, and death benefits. At retirement, options may also be chosen that can provide lifetime benefits to your beneficiary beginning at your death. The amount you receive is calculated by years of CREDITABLE SERVICE multiplied by a SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT. The dollar amount is set by the Georgia General Assembly. The current DOLLAR AMOUNT is $16.00.
For more information, go to PSERS Website
Download PSERS forms
Contact Information:
Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia
Two Northside 75
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-350-6300
State Health Medical
Upon termination, you will receive a letter from State Health advising of the COBRA premiums or you can call State Health (SHBP) at (800) 610-1863 for additional information if you are interested. You can also log into your www.mySHBPga.adp.com account for details.
If you are not receiving a pension, you may consider COBRA from SHBP. If you will receive a pension that will cover your Medical premiums, you should verify your coverage is setup with your pension checks and being deducted. Your Medical Premiums will begin to be withdrawn from your second pension check.
TRS/PSERS deduct “month of” verses “one month in advance”. If you retire in May, your May paycheck will pay for June Coverage. You will get a June retirement check where Medical will not be withdrawn. Your July TRS/PSERS check should begin your SHBP Medical Premiums as a Retiree- review your pension checks for deductions; otherwise, you could receive a bill to cover any month(s) that were not deducted
Subsidy Policy Change
The Department of Community Health/ The State Health Benefit Plan updated the subsidy policy for anyone hired after 1/1/2007, or had less than 5 years of service or less on 1/1/2012.
See Calculator and Policy below:
(Annuitant Basic Subsidy and Annuitant Years of Service Subsidy Rates)
Retiree Medical Plan Information – Medicare
If you begin drawing an immediate pension upon retirement from Teachers’ Retirement System or Public School Employees’ Retirement System, you can maintain your existing medical plan until you reach age 65 and become eligible for Medicare.
For those retirees and spouses (if covered) age 65 or older, you must register with Social Security for Medicare Parts A and B 60 days prior to retirement; or turning age 65.
Complete Medicare enrollment online at www.ssa.gov or visit your local Social Security office There will be a “Request for Employment Information” form you will need to bring to the Benefits Office for completion.
Do not enroll in Part D, as Medicare Advantage contains this component. Enrollment in Part D or other Medicare supplemental policies will end your Medicare Advantage eligibility.
Contact SHBP at 1 800 610-1863 or log onto your www.mySHBPga.adp.com account to report the effective date(s) of your Medicare Part A and B coverage. SHBP will accept this information as early as (90) days prior to retirement.
SHBP will use this card to verify eligibility for Medicare with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Once verified, you will be eligible for the Medicare Advantage Plans.
Medicare Advantage Plans are the only medical plans subsidized by SHBP once you turn age 65. If you remain on the Gold, Silver, or Bronze you will pay the full cost of the plan ($1,292-$3,167/month).
For more information on the Medicare Advantage Plans, please visit the State Health Website (www.dch.ga.gov/shbp) to review the SHBP Retiree Decision Guide and dates.
Immediately after retirement you will need to call SHBP at 1 800 610-1863 to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you do not contact SHBP to choose a plan, your coverage will default to United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Standard Plan.
Tax Sheltered Annuity
You may enter into a salary reduction agreement, separate from the Section 125 Plan to have deposits made with one of the approved companies for the purchase of a retirement annuity. Participation reduces your taxable income and the money invested earns interest usually above average rates. You pay taxes when the money is withdrawn.
Information on each of the approved companies can be obtained from the Approved 457(B)-403B
Authorized Investment Providers – Coweta County School System 3.13.2024
TSA Consulting Group Website with Authorized Investment Providers for Coweta County School Employees.
