TRS Retirees To Receive 13th Check By Mid-September

TRS Retirees to Receive 13th Check by Mid-September View All News

• September 3, 2019

Members of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) who retired on or before December 31, 2018 are set to receive a supplemental payment—also known as a 13th check—by mid-September 2019.

The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) worked during the 86thLegislative Session with legislators on both sides of the aisle to establish a long-term funding plan for the TRS pension fund, which also allowed TRS to issue a 13th check to most retirees of up to $2,000. The supplemental payments will be in an amount equal to your August 2019 gross annuity payment or $2,000, whichever is less.

According to TRS, the supplemental payment will be issued by mid-September 2019 and will be delivered the same address or account as a retiree’s current annuity payment. If you normally receive your payments through direct deposit, your payment will be deposited to your account on record.

The supplemental payment is fully taxable. TRS withheld taxes from your supplemental payment in accordance with IRS rules. If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, then TRS withheld income tax at the 2019 default rate (married with three allowances). If you are a non-resident alien, then TRS withheld income tax at the required rate of 30 percent or according to a tax treaty exemption, if you have provided a valid Form W-8BEN to TRS.

If you receive other payments from TRS and they are affected by this legislation, TRS will send you a separate notification. If you have any questions regarding your supplemental payment, please contact TRS toll-free at 1.800.223.8778.

In 2019, TRTA’s advocacy put $589 million directly into the pocketbooks of retirees via this 13th check. In total, TRTA secured an additional $1.344 BILLION for TRS retirees and pre–retirees this past legislative session!

Thank You

It’s because of the hard work and dedication of our members, working together through strong grassroots advocacy, that TRTA is able to be successful in the Texas Legislature.

Thank you for your membership with TRTA and for being a strong advocate for retirees, present and future! TRTA will never stop working for retired educators in Texas, and we hope you will always be by our side as we continue to fight for retirement security for all members of TRS.

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