Teachers, administrators, supervisors, clerks, teacher aides, secretaries, campus police
officers, paraprofessionals, and nurses are eligible for membership in the Teachers
Retirement System of Georgia (TRS).
1. When am I eligible for retirement?
You are eligible for monthly retirement benefits if you have completed one of the following:
10 years of creditable service AND reached age 60.
2. What about early retirement?
You may retire with 25 years of creditable service. (If you retire under this provision your
benefit will be permanently reduced by one-twelfth of 7% for each month you are below age 60,
OR 7% for each year or fraction of year by which you have less than 30 years, whatever is less.)
3. What does it mean to be vested?
A member of TRS with at least 10 years of creditable service is considered vested
and eligible for a retirement benefit at age 60. If you have 10 or more years of
service and leave your TRS covered position, you are still entitled to a service
retirement benefit when you reach age 60, if you have not withdrawn your contributions.
If you are vested and no longer contributing to TRS, it is your responsibility to apply
for benefits at the time you become eligible.
4. What is the formula for calculating my retirement benefit?
Your TRS retirement benefit is calculated by using the percentage of salary formula.
Two percent is multiplied by your years of creditable service established with TRS,
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 service.
Example: An employee with 20 years of service at age 60 with an average monthly
salary of $1000.00 would receive a monthly benefit of $400.00. 2% x 20 yrs = 40% of $1000.00
= $400.00
5. Can I receive credit for unused sick leave when I retire?
Yes. TRS members who retire on or after July 1, 1998, are eligible for sick leave
credit. To qualify you must have at least 60 days of sick leave for which you have
not been paid (less than 60 days = no credit). The maximum amount of sick leave which
can be accumulated for retirement purposes is one and one-quarter days per month of actual
service. Sick leave credit cannot be used for vesting purposes.
PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Maintenance and custodial employees, school bus drivers, and cafeteria workers are
eligible for membership in the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS).
1. When am I eligible for retirement?
Normal monthly benefits can begin at age 65 with 10 years of creditable service.
2. What about early retirement?
Early monthly retirement benefits begin at age 60 with 10 years of creditable service.
Retirement before age 65 results in a reduction of ½ of 1% for each month under age 65.
3. What is the formula for calculating my retirement benefit?
Creditable years of service times the current benefit rate ($12.00) = monthly benefit.
Example: 10 yrs x $12.00 = $120.00
4. Can I receive credit for unused sick leave when I retire?
No.
