TRS retirement report, a bi-annual newsletter for active members, Summer 2016

www.TRSGA.com 404-352-6500

TRS ACTIVE MEMBER RETIREMENT REPORT
A BI-ANNUAL NEWSLETTER FOR ACTIVE MEMBERS Summer/Fall 2016

Meet Dr. L.C. (Buster) Evans
TRS is excited to introduce our new Executive Director, Dr. L.C. (Buster) Evans! Buster brings a vast amount of experience to the job. Not only is he a husband, father and grandfather, but he was a teacher, coach, Superintendent, and TRS Board member from 2006-2014, including serving as the Board Chair for the last 2 years of his tenure. Buster was an active TRS member for much of his career and is also currently a TRS retiree, so he brings to the position a unique perspective. Prior to accepting his new position with TRS, he served as Assistant Commissioner for Inmate Services at the Georgia Department of Corrections. Buster was appointed to this position by Governor Nathan Deal in 2014 with the specific goal to design and implement educational programs to support Georgia's criminal justice reform initiative. Please help us welcome Buster to the TRS team...we are excited to have him leading the way.
Here are some questions we asked Buster to help everyone get to know him a little better:
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? We live on a farm, so there are always things to do. I enjoy working outside especially during the fall and spring.
What are the values that drive you? Helping other people through hard work. I believe "being nice" to others matters.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Macon during the 60s and 70s when Macon was famous for southern rock bands like the Allman brothers.
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We've Gone Social!
We are excited to announce that The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia has gone social! Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up-todate news and information.
We will use Facebook and Twitter to publish important news, generate discussions, tell interesting and helpful stories about our members and retirees, and highlight successes at TRS!
www.facebook.com/trsgeorgia/
@TRSGeogia
Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (State of Georgia)

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Meet Buster

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Online TRS Accounts

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New Features!

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Member Statements

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Countdown to Retirement

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Need Help?

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Applying for Retirement

INSIDE

TRS Member Report 1

Meet Buster, cont.
Choose a movie title for the story of your life. Taken from the song by Bob Seger "Against the Wind."
Can you play any instruments? I can play the guitar, but don't count on a public performance!
What is the strangest talent you have? I am a trained potter. After having more pieces than we can ever do anything with, I retired from that hobby.
What is something left on your bucket list? I really want to visit the grape growing regions of Italy.
Who was your favorite teacher and why? I had several teachers who made a difference in my life. My favorite though is my wife Debbie. Her enthusiasm for education played a huge role in my decision to become an educator.
What is your favorite sport and who is your favorite sports team? My favorite sport is golf and my favorite sports team is the UGA Bulldogs.
Where is your favorite place to vacation? Every year, for the past 22 years, we have visited Jekyll Island. I would have to say Jekyll would be that place.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why? I'd say George Washington. I've visited Mt. Vernon, and I could see myself having lived there.
What's your motto? People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
What is the one thing you cannot do without? Family, books, and coffee!
What's the greatest bit of advice a parent or mentor has given you? Compare yourself to the best, not the worst.
What technology innovation made the most impact on your life? Clearly the personal computer. I have files dating back to the 1980's!

Online TRS Account
An online TRS account provides you with access to a variety of important resources, including the ability to retire online. Some of the other things you can do online include: register for events, update your beneficiaries, and download your annual membership statement.
One of the most important reasons to have an online account is to ensure all of your information is correct and up-to-date. This is especially important regarding your beneficiaries. Georgia law requires that the settlement of your account be made according to the beneficiary designation on file with TRS at the time of your death. This supersedes any other beneficiary designations you have in your will or on file with your employer.
To register for an account, please visit www. TRSGA.com and click Account Login, choose Active Member and on the left-hand side, select Register for Account Access.

2 Winter 2016

New Features!
Benefit Estimate Online Request Requesting a benefit has never been faster or easier! You may now go online to request one, instead of having to call TRS.
If you are considering retirement, you may request to have a benefit estimate completed by one of our retirement counselors. Receive an estimate of your monthly benefit so you can create a personal strategy for retirement. Simply log into your TRS account and request a benefit estimate. Once the estimate is complete, it will be mailed to you.
Online Counseling Registration
We are now offering online registration for pre-retirement counseling appointments in our Atlanta office. Previously, TRS only offered online registration for appointments outside the Atlanta office. The in-house online registration process is similar to the process for our outreach events held throughout the State of Georgia.
To view available appointment times and register, you will be required to log into your existing TRS account or create an account if you do not have one. Once you have reached the Account Summary page, you may search for available appointments by clicking on Appointments/Events on the right-hand side of the screen.
TRS counseling appointments are 50 minutes long and only one session may be selected within a 90-day period. During the registration process, you may select either an appointment at our office or an appointment/event at another location.

Member Statements Available
Please log into your online account and review your latest member statement, which contains your account balance, demographic information, and various benefit estimate projections. It is available for you to view and/or print.
Please review your statement. If you find anything incorrect or if you have any questions, please contact TRS immediately.
NOTICE: Online Forms
When applying for retirement online, your Retirement Certification (TRS-8) and Sick Leave Certification forms will be sent directly to your employer. Once you apply for retirement, your employer will be notified and will submit the completed forms to TRS.
You must also submit your Application for Refund of Contributions online. As with the forms mentioned above, once you complete your portion of the form, your employer is automatically notified.

TRS Member Report 3

Countdown to Retirement
Is your retirement date approaching in the not-sodistant future? Make sure as the date approaches, you are prepared and your to-do list is marked off. Here are a few important things you can do to prepare for your retirement:
24 months before retirement: Attend a TRS Half-Day Seminar about important topics including Social Security and estate planning. Check the TRS website for dates and locations throughout the State, and to register online.
Request a benefit estimate by logging into your online account and clicking "Generate Benefit Estimate" or by calling TRS.
18 months before retirement: Research medical insurance for you and your family. Verify your post-retirement eligibility.
Review your estate plan and make sure your will, trust, and/or power of attorney are up-to-date.
12 months before retirement: Request an estimate from the Social Security Administration.
Schedule a one-on-one counseling appointment at our Atlanta office or at a location near you.
6 months before retirement: You may start your online application process. Make sure you have decided on a retirement plan that works best for you.
Make sure you understand the criteria for working after retirement. Visit our website to learn more.
3 months before retirement: Make sure the service credit you are eligible to purchase is paid in full. You cannot purchase service credit once you retire.
Submit your retirement application if you haven't already done so. The application should be in no later than 2 months prior to your anticipated retirement date. z

FY 2017 Employee & Employer Contribution Rates
In its annual meeting held May 27, 2015, the Board of Trustees adopted the employee and employer contribution rates for FY 2017 (July 1, 2016 June 30, 2017). Effective July 1, 2016, the contribution rates will be:
Employee Rate: 6.00% Employer Rate: 14.27%
Need Help?
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact TRS. Office
Two Northside 75, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30318
Website www.TRSGA.com
Phone 404-352-6500 800-352-0650
Fax 404-352-4885
Call Center Hours 8 am - 5 pm, M-F

4 Winter 2016

APPLYING FOR RETIREMENT

Your Information: name, address, daytime phone number, SSN, date of birth, copy of official ID (driver's license, passport, birth certificate, immigration papers, or a state issued ID).

Your Primary and Secondary Beneficiary's Information: name, address, SSN, date of birth, copy of official ID (see list above).

Direct Deposit Information: checking or savings account and routing numbers.

In an effort to provide you with the most expedient method of applying for retirement, members are required to apply for retirement online.
Please remember that TRS no longer accepts paper applications. Our online process is quick, easy, and more efficient.

Benefit Estimate: you may use this as a reference to help you choose your monthly retirement benefit option and your PLOP payment (if applicable).
PLOP (if applicable): name, address, and phone number (if rolling PLOP into another qualified retirement plan rollover institution, type of rollover plan, and your rollover account number.)
Tax Withholdings: federal and state.

To apply, simply log into your account and click "Apply for Retirement." You will then be prompted to provide information specific to your retirement. When the process is complete, a summary sheet is provided for your records. There are links to other forms not covered in the online process, as well as "Tips" to help make the process as easy and user-friendly as possible. So you are prepared, please note the following items are needed to complete the retirement application process.

Alien Number: (if applicable) issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency.
If you are unable to complete and submit your application, you may log back into your account and continue at a later date. Please note that your online application will only remain active for 45 days. After 45 days, your application is void and you must begin the process again. Once the application is completed, you must print and sign a summary sheet and send it to TRS. z

TRS Member Report 5