TRS/Retirement News

TRS Retirement Counseling

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    The process of retirement from TRS, after many years of dedicated employment to the district, is potentially a very stressful event if an employee does not have the proper understanding of the paperwork and options that are available. The decisions that are made at the time of retirement are non-reversible and will affect the rest of the employee’s life.
     
    The handbook, supplied by TRS, is a 72-page document on everything from the DROP program to the TRS health care benefits. More specific information about TRS health care benefits can be found in another handbook published by TRS. In most cases, it is a daunting task for employees to read and understand these publications without questions and corresponding answers and because TRS is based in Austin it places added stress on employees to travel there for answers. For instance, the decisions that must be made or considered at the time of retirement include the following:
     
     
     Selecting joint and survivor payout  Members can select from 5 different benefit options. This decision is irreversible.
     Partial lump sum options  Some members can choose to receive 12, 24, or 36 months of their benefit payments up front.
     Purchasing of service credits  Withdrawn service and other types of service can be bought in order to enhance retirement benefits.
     Life after retirement
     Many potential employees have the misconception that they can return to work, after retirement, without limitations.
     
     
     
    If you are an active employee, you must work with our Retirement Storefront for the proper coordination of processes within HISD.
     
    You must sign the proper paperwork with the Storefront in order to be retired from HISD. This would include a request to be paid for any leave time you are eligible for, which is only payable upon RETIREMENT (not resignation).
     
    Retirement does not happen automatically if you have worked only with TRS in this process.

Contact Information

  • Jessica Serrano
    Sr. Retirement Counselor
     

    Tanya Eanes
    Benefits Representative
    Tanya.Eanes@houstonisd.org

      
    The Retirement Storefront has a new location:
    5827 Chimney Rock Rd. 
    Houston, Texas 77081
    Map
     
    Phone: 713-695-5561
    Fax: 713-695-5723
     
    Office Hours:
    Monday – Friday
    8 a.m. – 5 p.m.