Suspending or Terminating Benefit Payment

If you return to work in a position that does not allow you to continue receiving your monthly benefit payment, you will have the choice to terminate or suspend your retirement.

If you choose to suspend your retirement:

  • Your monthly benefit payments will stop;
  • Employee and employer contributions are not made on your behalf;
  • You will not accrue additional service credit;
  • COLAs are not applied to your benefit during the suspension period;
  • You may not change your plan of retirement and/or beneficiary; and,
  • Your benefit payment is reactivated upon termination of the covered employment.

If you choose to terminate your retirement:

  • Your monthly benefit payments will stop;
  • COLAs are not applied to your benefit during the termination period;
  • You will become an active TRS member with employee and employer contributions being made on your behalf;
  • You will accrue additional service credit; and,
  • You must work a minimum of 4 service months.

It may be to your advantage to terminate, rather than suspend your retirement benefit. Termination of your benefit allows you to accrue additional service credit and salary in an effort to increase your monthly benefit payable upon your re-retirement. You must apply for re-retirement benefits through your online account. Your new retirement benefit will be calculated using the beneficiary designation and the plan of retirement selected at re-retirement, which will apply to all periods of employment. If you are considering terminating your retirement, please contact TRS to determine more thoroughly how your retirement benefit may be affected.

If you return to work in a TRS covered position for 2 years, you may repay the total monthly benefit payments that were paid to you during your retirement, plus interest. At the time you re-retire, your new benefit payment will be calculated based on all TRS creditable service years.