Frequently Asked Questions

Annual Member Statement FAQs

When will my Member Statement be available? 

Member Statements for service as of June 30, 2024, are available in your MyTRS account now. Member statements for service as of June 30, 2025 cannot be generated until all employers submit acceptable year-end reports. These statements will likely be available around the end of the calendar year. You can also review the information under the “My Membership” tab or create a retirement benefit estimate under the “My Retirement” tab in MyTRS.

 

How can I access my Member Statement? 

Your most recent Member Statements are now available online in your MyTRS account. You can also review the information under the “My Membership” tab or create a retirement benefit estimate under the “My Retirement” tab in MyTRS.  

 

What if I do not have a MyTRS account? 

Now is the perfect time to take control of your retirement journey by registering your MyTRS account. With MyTRS, you’ll have secure, 24/7 access to your financial and membership information, including your Member Statements,—all in one place. Why doesn’t my Member Statement show my current employment year?

Your Annual Member Statement shows your salary and service record through June 30, 2024. Your current employment year will be reflected on next year’s Member Statement once you have completed the school year, and your employer has submitted their year-end report, which is due no later than November 1, 2025.

 Is sick leave credit shown on my Member Statement?

No. Your Member Statement excludes both sick leave credit and the current employment year.  If you are separated from employment,  have your former employer complete a Verification of Unused Sick Leave form and forward to TRS so any additional service you may have can be calculated.

 

What if my name or address is listed incorrectly on my Member Statement or has changed?

If you are an active member and need to update your name or address, please contact your employer to make this change.  If you are separated from your employer, please update your address on MyTRS or complete a Personal Data Form 1R and mail it to TRS to change your name.

 

What is my Membership Date and Membership Rule? 

  Your Membership Date is the date of your first contribution to TRS, not your date of hire or anniversary date. Your Membership Rule defines your retirement eligibility.

 

What if my service credit is incorrect?

If you disagree with your service record, please request an audit in your MyTRS account. You must include detailed information about the employment year that is incorrect or missing. The request for an audit is the first step in correcting this information. If TRS is unable to verify the information through TRS records, you will be sent a Verification of Oklahoma Service for Back Payment form to forward to your employer for completion.  Once the verification form is received by TRS, the service credit will be reviewed, your information will be verified, and you will be notified by mail of the decision.

  What if I have a service record that shows “Verification Needed”?

If you see a service record with the note “Verification Needed” you may be eligible for additional service credit or compensation. Please request an audit of your service and compensation in your MyTRS account. Please include any information that may be helpful to TRS in reviewing this employment year. If TRS is unable to verify this information through TRS records, you will be sent a Verification of Oklahoma Service for Back Payment to forward to your employer for completion.  Once the verification form is received by TRS, the service credit will be reviewed, your information will be verified, and you will be notified of the review.

 

Why does my Member Statement show Service Tiers and EESIP?

Prior to July 1, 1995, contributions were limited to salary caps resulting in different tiers. The Education Employees Services Incentive Program (EESIP) provides an opportunity for eligible members to wear away capped service. For each year worked past full retirement eligibility in common education or for a career technology district, two years of service from the $40,000 salary cap tier may be moved to the uncapped tier. If you do not have service prior to July 1, 1995, your statement should not reflect any pre-95 capped service.

Required Minimum Distributions

This Fact Sheet describes requirements for a TRS member to receive their required minimum distribution (RMD) from TRS on or before the member’s required beginning date (RBD), which occurs after the member has both (1) attained age 73 for members born on or after January 1, 1951 but before January 1, 1959 (or age 72 for members born July 1, 1949 through December 31, 1950 or age 70 ½ for members born before June 30, 1949 or other applicable age as set forth in Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(C)(v)), and (2) terminated employment in all TRS reportable positions.

 

The RMD requirements arise under federal tax law (Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC)) and are applicable to TRS as a 401(a) tax-qualified retirement plan. If you are a TRS member, the RMD requirements apply to you, regardless of whether you are a vested or non-vested member on your RBD. Failure to comply with the RMD requirements may result in a substantial tax penalty for any RMD that you should have received but did not receive by your RBD.

Important Information for TRS Members Who Have Turned or Will Soon Turn 73 Years of Age

If you have already terminated or will soon terminate all TRS reportable employment and you have not yet submitted an application to TRS for retirement benefits or for withdrawal of your accumulated contributions, please contact TRS immediately.

Read all information in this Fact Sheet so that you are prepared to begin receiving RMDs in conformity with federal tax law. You may need to take action without additional prompting or instruction from TRS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?

Once you reach age 73 (or other applicable RMD age), you may be required to withdraw a certain amount of money from your tax-deferred retirement account each year. That amount is called a required minimum distribution (RMD).

What is my Required Beginning Date (RBD)?

Your RBD is the date by which you must receive your first RMD and is the later of:

• The April 1st following the end of the calendar year in which you turned or will turn 73 (or other applicable RMD age), or

 

• The April 1st following the end of the calendar year in which you terminated or will terminate employment in all positions reportable to TRS.

Example 1. If you terminated employment in all TRS reportable positions in 2024 but you did not turn 73 until 2025, your RBD would be April 1, 2026.

Example 2. If you turned 73 in 2024 but you continued to work in a position reportable to TRS until sometime in 2026, your RBD would be April 1, 2027.

 

Does the RMD requirement establish a mandatory retirement age?

No. It merely places a time limit on when you must begin receiving your TRS retirement benefit (or withdraw from TRS) after you have both attained age 73 (or other applicable RMD age) and terminated all TRS reportable employment.

Please note that the RBD requirement does not change the age at which you may be eligible for TRS retirement. If you meet TRS requirements, you may apply for and begin receiving a retirement benefit. Your RBD only establishes the latest date on which you may begin receiving payments without incurring a tax penalty once the RMD criteria have been met.

How do I begin receiving RMDs from TRS?

If you are a vested member, you will fulfill your RMD requirement:

• by applying for retirement and receiving your first monthly benefit payment on or before your RBD, OR

• by applying for withdrawal from TRS and receiving a lump-sum refund of your accumulated contributions account balance (your member contributions and applicable interest) on or before your RBD.

• Important Note: Upon withdrawal from TRS you will forfeit your right (or the right of a joint annuitant or eligible beneficiary on your behalf) to receive any retirement or death/survivor benefit from TRS. Your forfeited retirement benefit is guaranteed to be at least equal to your accumulated contributions account balance and may significantly exceed your account balance, as it is payable for your lifetime. As a rule of thumb, TRS retirees receive retirement benefits at least equal to their accumulated contributions account balance within approximately five years. TRS strongly advises that you give careful consideration and seek competent financial advice before deciding to withdraw from TRS as a vested member.

If you are a non-vested member, you are not eligible to receive a retirement benefit and will fulfill your RMD requirement by applying for withdrawal from TRS to receive a one-time, lump-sum refund of your accumulated contributions account balance on or before your RBD.

How do I apply for retirement or withdrawal?

• If you are a vested member who wants to receive a lifetime, monthly benefit: Access MyTRS to submit a Pre-retirement Information Verification to begin the retirement process.  An estimate(s) of benefits and an Application for Retirement will be mailed to you. You must complete and submit all required documentation to TRS no later than February 1st preceding your RBD.

If you are a vested member who wishes to withdraw from TRS rather than receive a lifetime, monthly retirement allowance: Contact TRS to discuss your options. You will be provided an estimate of retirement benefits to ensure you have the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family. If you choose to forfeit the lifetime benefit, you may contact TRS and request an Application for Withdrawal. You must complete and return your signed, notarized application to TRS, along with any required documentation, no later than February 1st preceding your RBD.

• If you are a non-vested member: You may contact TRS and request an Application for Withdrawal. You must complete and return your signed, notarized application to TRS, along with any required documentation, no later than the February 1st preceding your RBD.

Will TRS notify me when I am about to reach my RBD?

Not necessarily. Although TRS can readily determine when you will turn age 73 (or other applicable RMD age), TRS may not know whether you have terminated employment in all TRS reportable positions as of that date.

TRS does not assume you have terminated employment until no TRS employer has reported service on your behalf for at least 90 consecutive days. It is possible your RBD will have passed by that time.

How is the amount of a late RMD determined?

In every case, unless written documentation provided to TRS conclusively establishes a later date of termination of employment, TRS will deem you to have terminated employment in all TRS reportable positions as of the last day of the last month for which service was reported on your behalf by any TRS employer.

If you receive your RMD in the form of monthly retirement benefit payments, your late RMD will be the total of all payments you should have received as of the end of the month prior to the month in which you receive your first distribution from TRS and importantly is calculated on a calendar year basis.

For example, for 2024 RMDS with a required beginning date of April 1, 2025, if you receive your first monthly payment on May 1, 2026, the payments from April 1, 2025 to December 1, 2025 are considered late RMDs. The payments from January 1, 2026, to May 1, 2026, will be considered “caught up” for the 2026 tax year when paid on May 1, 2026, for late RMD and excise tax penalty calculation purposes.

If you receive your RMD in the form of a lump-sum distribution upon withdrawal, the portion of the distribution that constitutes a late RMD will be calculated in conformity with 26 CFR 1.401(a)(9)-6(d)(1).

What is the tax penalty for a late RMD? Are there other repercussions?

If you do not begin receiving distributions on or before your RBD, the portion that constitutes a late RMD is subject to up to a 50% tax penalty. TRS does not withhold the penalty tax from your distribution. You are responsible for reporting the late RMD to the IRS.

In addition, if you withdraw from TRS, any portion of the distribution that constitutes an RMD is not eligible for rollover to an IRA or another eligible plan. For additional information, please consult your tax advisor or accountant.

Can I take my RMD for the TRS plan from another qualified plan?

No. You must take your RMD for the TRS plan from TRS. 

Questions?

If you have questions about any information provided in this Fact Sheet, please email us at mail@trs.ok.gov  or call (405) 521-2387. 

Name and Address Changes

How should I notify TRS of my new home mailing address?

It is important you keep TRS advised of your current contact information. Active members must change their name and address with their employer, which will then be updated with TRS. Retired and inactive members should use MyTRS to update their address or mail a Personal Data Form 1R to TRS to change their name.

Beneficiary Changes

How do I change my beneficiary with TRS? 

It is important to keep your beneficiary designations up to date. Active and retired members should update their beneficiary information in MyTRS. For more information on survivor benefits, please refer to the Member Handbook.

Estimating Your Retirement

Can I get an estimate of benefits with all plan options on MyTRS?

Yes. Members can create retirement benefit estimate through MyTRS. Alternatively, members may submit a Pre-Retirement Information Verification (PIV no later than ninety (90) days before your requested retirement date and no earlier than twenty-four (24) months before your earliest retirement eligibility. The easiest and quickest way to submit the PIV is through MyTRS, although you can mail a PIV to TRS. Your requested retirement projection or Application to Retire will be mailed to you.

Applying for Retirement

How do I find information about retiring?

You should create a retirement benefit estimate in MyTRS at least one year before your expected retirement date. You must submit a Pre-Retirement Information Verification (PIV) to TRS no later than ninety (90) days before your requested retirement date. You may submit a PIV no earlier than twenty-four (24) months before your earliest retirement eligibility. The easiest and quickest way to submit the PIV is through MyTRS, although you can mail a PIV to TRS.

You should also consider attending one of our in-person or virtual retirement planning seminars. More information, including retirement timelines, the retirement process, presentation, seminar and webinar dates with registration, and more can be found on the Retirement Seminars page.

If I want to retire this year, what do I need to do?

Generally, you should start the process approximately 6 months before the projected retirement date to ensure your account is free of outstanding balances or issues that need to be resolved. Please refer to the retirement timelines chart to determine when you should begin your retirement process. Retirement is accomplished through the following three-step process.

Step One:

If you are planning to retire, TRS must receive a completed Pre-Retirement Information Verification  (PIV) no later than ninety (90) days before your requested retirement date and no earlier than twenty-four (24) months before your earliest retirement eligibility.   The easiest and quickest way to submit the PIV is through MyTRS, although you can mail a PIV to TRS. If the PIV is received less than 90 days prior to the projected retirement date, the retirement date will be delayed by at least one month. All pending balances owed must also be paid at least 90 days prior to the projected retirement date to ensure all available service credit is included in the benefit amount.

Step Two:

Upon receipt of the PIV, your Application To Retire (ATR) will be mailed to you and must be completed and received back by TRS at least 60 days prior to retirement. If the ATR is received less than 60 days prior to the projected retirement date, the retirement date will be delayed by at least one month.

Step Three:

Upon receipt of the ATR by TRS, a Final Contract for Retirement will be mailed to you. Your completed Final Contract and required documents for retirement must be received by TRS no less than 30 days before your effective retirement date. If the Final Contract is received less than 30 days prior to the effective retirement date, the retirement date will be delayed by at least one month. You are responsible for correctly completing all necessary paperwork in a timely manner and ensuring TRS has received it.

The effective retirement date must begin on the first of the month. The first retirement benefit payment will be made on the first of the month following the effective retirement date. For example, for a June 1 retirement date, the Final Contract for Retirement must be received by TRS by May 1 in order to process the first retirement benefit payment on July 1. When can a TRS member retire?

A vested member of TRS is eligible to apply for retirement benefits:

• If you joined TRS prior to July 1, 1992, you are eligible to receive unreduced retirement benefits at age 62 or when your age and years of creditable service total 80 points, OR at the minimum age of 55 to receive reduced benefits,
• If you joined TRS after June 30, 1992, and before November 1, 2011, you are eligible to receive unreduced retirement benefits at age 62 or when your age and years of creditable service total 90 points, OR at the minimum age of 55 to receive reduced benefits.
• If you joined TRS on or after November 1, 2011, you are eligible to receive unreduced retirement benefits at age 65 or when your age and years of creditable service total 90 points and you have reached a minimum age of 60, OR at the minimum age of 60 to receive reduced benefits.

Ways to make an appointment to discuss my retirement benefits?

You may contact TRS by phone, e-mail, or secure messaging through MyTRS to schedule an appointment after you receive a hypothetical estimate, projection or Application to Retire. Members may submit a Pre-Retirement Information Verification (PIV) to TRS, or through MyTRS, no later than ninety (90) days before your requested retirement date and no earlier than twenty-four (24) months before your earliest retirement eligibility TRS responds to inquiries in a timely manner, providing estimates of retirement benefits under all options for the date(s) requested.

 

Withdrawing Your Contributions

Do I get a refund if I terminate my membership with TRS? 

 A member may request to withdraw their accumulated member contributions credited to their account after they have terminated all employment in Oklahoma public education. Employment in Oklahoma public education includes positions that are otherwise ineligible for TRS membership. A member may request a withdrawal packet by secure messaging through MyTRS or by phone at (405) 521-2387. Payment can be issued as early as 4 months after the termination date. The member’s termination date is verified by their former employer(s). For more information on withdrawing your account, please refer to the Member Handbook.

How can I obtain additional service credit?

Members may purchase service for certain employment to obtain additional service credit towards retirement. Purchased Service is subject to verification and documentation before a billing statement is prepared and may include:

• Substitute service (120-day minimum in same school year)

• Higher Education Adjunct service (18 or more credit hours in same school year performed before joining TRS)

• Military service (180-day minimum in same fiscal year)

• Out-of-state service (6 months of full-time employment in same school year)

• Prior Oklahoma service (non-contributory service).

• Optional service performed prior to July 1, 2021 (provided the member has not previously withdrawn such service or ceased making contributions to TRS while continuing working during the time period of such service)

• Service accrual during leave (various time limits may apply in which to notify Teachers' Retirement of intent to purchase and make payment to receive proper credit for leave taken under Workers’ Compensation, under USERRA for active, military duty, due to family leave (during child’s first year of life), or due to official sabbatical from an Oklahoma school (requires employer to remit contributions for full-time pay, commensurate with prior year, while member receives one-half pay during leave)).

For more information about Service Purchases, please refer to the Member Handbook.

Health Coverage (Retired)

What options do I have for health insurance after I retire?

Members who retire or terminate employment with at least ten years of creditable service may be eligible to continue the insurance provided by their employer. Depending on the member’s employer, this insurance may be through the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Plan or an employer-sponsored health insurance plan offered by the member’s school district.

If the same insurance is continued into retirement, TRS will pay a supplement of $100 - $105 (depending on length of service and final average salary at retirement) toward the members’ health insurance premiums. Members who retire or terminate employment with at least ten years of creditable service must elect to continue coverage within 30 days of terminating their employment. If the member does not make this election, or drops the coverage later and reinstates it, they are not eligible for the supplement.

If you are enrolled in the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Plan, TRS deducts the balance of monthly premiums, including dependent coverage, and forwards your premiums and the TRS supplement to the insurance plan. If you are covered by an employer-sponsored health insurance plan other than the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Plan, the TRS monthly premium supplement is paid directly to the local employer on your behalf, but TRS cannot deduct the balance of premiums from your monthly benefit check.

For more information on post-retirement health insurance benefits, please refer to the Member Handbook and the Employees Group Insurance Division (EGID).

Divorce

What will happen to my benefits if I get divorced?

A court may order that your former spouse receive a portion of your retirement benefits. A copy of the court order or judgment must be approved by TRS. This type of order is commonly known as a Qualified Domestic Order (QDO) and the former spouse is referred to as an Alternate Payee. If you anticipate a divorce, you or your attorney should download the Qualified Domestic Order (QDO) Form. It is your responsibility to provide TRS with a file-stamped copy of the QDO after it has been approved by the court. You should also consider reviewing your beneficiary designations after a divorce.

Can I change my retirement Option 2 or Option 3 through a divorce?

Generally, no. A joint annuitant who is your spouse is not removed from your Option 2 or Option 3 retirement contract in the case of a divorce. However, a Court may terminate your ex-spouse’s rights to a joint annuitant retirement contract through a valid Qualified Domestic Order (QDO) approved by TRS. You or your attorney should download and use the Qualified Domestic Order (QDO) Form for this purpose.

If the court terminates your ex-spouse’s rights to a joint annuitant retirement contract (Option 2 or Option 3), you will pop-up to the Maximum Plan of Retirement. You will not be able to name a new joint annuitant, but you may designate a new beneficiary to receive the $5,000 death benefit.

 

SB 683 (2021) modified eligibility requirements related to optional
employee membership in TRS after July 1, 2021. Under these
provisions, nonclassified optional employees are eligible for
participation in TRS upon their initial employment with a TRS employer
(previously, these employees had to wait one year to participate in
TRS). To accommodate this change, TRS’s provisions regarding optional
personnel were updated to reflect current IRS regulations. As part of
this revision, optional personnel are no longer permitted to “opt-in”
and “opt-out” of participation in TRS while remaining employed at a
TRS employer. Instead, any optional personnel who do not wish to
participate in TRS must opt-out of TRS participation within 30 days of
their original hire date or eligibility date to participate in TRS. If they
do not opt-out of participation, they are deemed to be a TRS
participant. This participation election will follow them throughout
employment with any TRS employer. A complete summary and list of
frequently asked questions can be found by clicking here.

Disability Retirement FAQ’s

1. Who is eligible to apply for disability retirement?

Members with at least 10 years of Oklahoma membership service. Purchased service is not considered membership service and cannot be included in the minimum 10 years of Oklahoma membership service required to meet eligibility.

2. Who is not eligible to apply for disability retirement?

• Members who do NOT have at least 10 years of Oklahoma membership service. Purchased service is not considered membership service and cannot be included in the minimum 10 years of Oklahoma membership service required to meet eligibility.

• Members who are eligible for unreduced regular retirement.

3. Can a member apply for disability retirement if they are terminated from employment or on leave without pay in Oklahoma public education?

Yes, if the member can provide proof (i.e. Medical Records or Social Security Award Letter)  that the disability existed during their Oklahoma public education employment and the disability was the reason for the leave without pay or that employment ended.

4. How is disability retirement calculated?

Disability retirement is calculated in the same manner as regular retirement benefits under the Maximum Plan of Retirement, except that no reduction is made due to the age of the member.

• 2% x (Service Years) x (Final Average Salary) / 12 = Monthly Benefit

5. What retirement options are available for disability retirement?

A member has two retirement options for disability retirement—Maximum Plan of Retirement or Retirement Option 2. A member cannot elect to receive a partial lump-sum payment (PLSO) in exchange for a reduced annuity if applying for disability retirement.

• Maximum Plan of Retirement:
  • Lifetime benefit to member.
  • Largest retirement benefit - 100% of the retirement formula.
  • The monthly retirement benefit will cease at death, and any remaining account balance will be paid to the beneficiary(ies).
• Retirement Option 2 (100% joint survivorship for sole annuitant):
  • Lifetime benefit to member; upon death of member, the same lifetime benefit amount the member received will be paid to designated joint annuitant, if living. If the joint annuitant predeceases the member, the member’s retirement benefit will “pop up” (increase) to the Maximum Plan of Retirement. A new beneficiary (but not a new joint annuitant) may be named to receive the balance of the member’s account, if any remains, and survivor benefit payable upon member’s death.
  • The designated joint annuitant may only be the spouse of the member and they must be married at the time disability benefits are sought/granted.
  • Joint annuitant is designated at retirement and cannot be changed, but a different person may be named to receive the $5000 survivor benefit.
  • Option 2 provides the least monthly benefit for the member and greatest benefit to the joint annuitant.
  • Reduction to the monthly benefit is based on joint annuitant’s age in relation to member’s age.

6. How does the disability retirement process work?

      A member must request a Disability Retirement Application at helpdesk@trs.ok.gov or (405) 521-2387. 

• A member can request their Disability Retirement Application for the first available retirement date.
• The effective retirement date must always be on the first of the month and can never be before TRS has received your completed disability retirement application.
  • For example, if a member requests a disability retirement application on July 10^th, the earliest they could request to retire is August 1^st.
• A member cannot request a retirement date that is more than 90 days from the date of their request.
• After a member requests a Disability Retirement Application the member’s account is audited to verify accuracy of the information TRS has been provided by previous employers.
• After the audit is complete, the Disability Retirement Application is mailed to the member.
• TRS must receive the completed Disability Retirement Application and required documentation by the first day of the month the member has requested to retire.

·         If the Disability Retirement Application and required documentation is timely received, the Medical Board will review the Disability Retirement Application at its next regularly scheduled review meeting and make their final determination.

·         The Medical Board typically meets the first Thursday of each month.

·         The applicant is notified of the Medical Board’s determination first by phone then by mail.

·         If the member is approved for disability retirement, TRS notifies the member’s employer. Notification is mailed to the employer, directing the employer to terminate the member’s employment by the 10th day of the month in which the member is effectively retired.

·         The disability retiree will receive their first monthly benefit payment on the first day of the month following their effective retirement date.

•  
  • For example, if a member is granted disability retirement effective January 1, the member will receive their first disability retirement benefit payment on February 1.

7. Why can’t I request a Disability Retirement Application more than 90-days before my desired retirement date?

The unique characteristics of disability retirement, along with the necessity for a swift process and precise medical records, prevent us from accommodating requests that are submitted more than 3 months in advance of the desired retirement date.

8. What if I have been approved for Social Security Disability?

If you have been approved for Social Security Disability, instead of submitting medical records with your Disability Retirement Application, you must submit your Social Security Disability Award letter with the Disability Retirement Application to TRS. The Application and Award Letter will be reviewed, and TRS will communicate with you either regarding approval of disability retirement or if TRS needs additional information or has further inquiry.

9. I signed the “Authorization for Release of Medical Records”. Does that mean TRS will collect my medical records for me?

No, the “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” does not permit TRS to contact your physician(s), nor does it grant us permission to request your medical records for you. You are solely responsible for collecting your relevant medical records and providing them to TRS.

10. If I am required to collect my medical records, then why am I being asked to sign the “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form?

If the Medical Board requires you to be examined by another physician, your authorization is required for TRS to release the medical records you provided to TRS to the physician. These medical records would be released only to the physician(s) the Medical Board recommends.

11. Do you need ALL my medical records?

No, we only require medical records that relate to your disability during your period of employment. If your disability requires consultations with multiple physician specialists, it is important to submit records from each of those specialists.

12. Who can sign my Attending Physician’s Recommendation?

The physician who signs your Attending Physician’s Recommendation must be a medical doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). When your disability relates to eyes, your physician must be an ophthalmologist. For hearing-related disability, your physician must be an otolaryngologist or audiologist. For mental health disabilities, your physician must be a Doctor of Clinical Psychology or Doctor of Psychiatry. All physicians who sign must be in good standing with their licensure board. A nurse practitioner cannot sign the Attending Physician’s Recommendation. If a physician’s assistant signs your Attending Physician’s Recommendation, TRS cannot consider that recommendation without their supervising physician’s signature.

13. Can I email you my Disability Retirement Application and medical records?

No, the only permissible methods of submitting your Disability Retirement Application and medical records to TRS are via mail, fax, or hand delivery. Mailed and hand delivered documents must be submitted on paper. TRS cannot accept floppy disks, CD-ROMs, or USB drives.

14. What happens if I miss my disability retirement deadline?

If your Disability Retirement Application is not received by the first day of the month you requested to retire, your effective retirement date will be moved to the following month and a new packet will be mailed to you. This new packet will need to be completed and returned to TRS by the first of the following month for consideration by the Medical Board.

Note: A member’s requested retirement date will only be moved three times for a total of a 90-day extension. If the member’s completed Disability Retirement Application (including medical documentation) is not received within that 90-day extension, the request will be closed. If at that point a member wishes to continue pursuing disability retirement, the member will need to call TRS and make a new request.

15. May a disabled retiree return to work while receiving disability retirement benefits?

Yes, but engaging in gainful employment may result in a reduction or termination of disability retirement benefits. TRS retirees receiving a disability retirement benefit who wish to return to employment must notify TRS and provide specific information in writing about such employment so that TRS can determine whether employment will result in a reduction or a termination of the monthly disability retirement benefit. If a disabled retiree enters employment without providing notification and information to TRS, TRS will suspend the monthly disability retirement benefit while TRS investigates the impact of such employment on the member’s disability retirement benefit.

Upon reaching their normal retirement age as defined by TRS rules, a disabled retiree receiving disability retirement shall be eligible for post-retirement employment under the same conditions outlined for other retired members.

Note: Normal retirement age is determined by a member’s TRS membership date. Those members with membership dates before November 1, 2011 have a normal retirement age of 62. Those members with a membership date on November 1, 2011 or after have a normal retirement age of 65. Members can contact TRS to determine membership date and/or normal retirement age.

16. May a disabled retiree return to work in Oklahoma public education and become an active contributing member of TRS again?

Yes, but the disabled retiree must notify TRS in writing of their intent to return to employment. After TRS receives written notice of the disabled retiree’s intent to return to Oklahoma public education employment, the disabled retiree’s monthly benefit will be suspended for 6 months.

o During the 6 months while monthly benefits are suspended, the member can choose to terminate employment once again and receive their disability retirement benefits again without having to re-apply.

o By the end of the 6 month suspension period, if the member has not terminated employment and requested TRS lift the benefit payment suspension so the member can return to disability retirement, the member will be considered as having met the requirement to be restored to active service.

▪ At such time, disability retirement shall be permanently terminated, and any unused portion of the member’s accumulated contributions shall be re-established in the member’s account.

▪ Later, if the member retires under a regular service retirement, eligibility to receive a monthly retirement allowance will be based on total years of creditable service.