Retirement & Savings

The retirement plans, Teacher's Retirement System (TRS) and Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), that are available to employees are established by the Georgia Legislature. The governing boards determine the plan design and employee contribution amounts.  Effingham County Board of Education provides payroll deductions for your contributions and other administrative support.  We also offer the 403(b) and 457(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans to help you prepare for the retirement you deserve.  

 

 

 

Important Documents

Teacher's Retirement System (TRS)


The Teacher's Retirement System (TRS) is a defined benefit plan, meaning participants are guaranteed a set monthly retirement income from the plan.  Eligible positions include: Certified Teachers, Administrators, Clerical Staff, Paraprofessionals, Lead Custodians, and School Nutrition Managers.

How Does It Work? All TRS employees contribute 6% of gross salary to TRS through monthly payroll deduction.  In addition, Effingham County Schools contributes 19.98% to each TRS employee’s retirement account monthly.

TRS members are vested with 10 years of creditable service and eligible to receive a monthly retirement benefit at the:

  • Completion of 10 years of creditable service and attainment of age 60.
  • Completion of 30 years of creditable service, regardless of age.
  • Completion of 25 years of service and before age 60, but with a permanently reduced benefit.

The amount you will receive at retirement is based on 2%, multiplied by your years of creditable service, multiplied by the average of your highest consecutive 24 months of pay.

Example:

2% x 30 years = 60%
Average of highest 24 consecutive months of pay = $70,000
60% x $ 70,000 = $ 42,000 / year

You may contact TRS at (800) 352-0650 to request a benefit estimate be mailed to you. You may also generate a benefit estimate online by following the TRS Benefit Estimate Instructions found in the Resources section. The following documents are also avalable in the Resources section: TRS Member's Guide, TRS Retirement Checklist, and What to Do When Retiring.

Public School Employees Retirement (PSERS)


The Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) is the retirement system for public school employees who are not eligible to participate in TRS.  This is also a defined benefit plan, so participants are guaranteed a set monthly retirement income.  PSERS retirement income supplements income from Social Security for all employees in a permanent position, employed half time or more.  Positions include: Maintenance and Custodial Staff, School Nutrition, Bus Drivers and Monitors, Transportation, and Warehouse staff.

How Does It Work?  Participants in PSERS hired before 7/1/2012 contribute $4 monthly for a 9-month contribution period of September through May each year.  Employees hired after 7/1/2012, without prior PSERS qualifying service, contribute $10 monthly for the 9-month period.

PSERS members are vested with 10 years of creditable service and eligible to receive a monthly retirement benefit at the:

  • Completion of 10 years of creditable service and attainment of age 60, at a permanently reduced benefit.
  • Completion of 10 years of creditable service and attainment of age 65 with full benefits.

The amount you receive in retirement is based on your years of creditable service multiplied by a set dollar amount. The current amount set by the Georgia General Assembly is $16.50.

For example, an employee with 30 years of creditable service would receive a monthly benefit based on the calculation of: $16.50 X 30 years of service = $495.00 per month.


You may contact PSERS at (800) 805-4609 to request a benefit estimate be mailed to you. You may also generate a benefit estimate online by following the PSERS Benefit Estimate Instructions found in the Resources section. You can also download the PSERS Employee Handbook from the Resources section.

Third Party Administrator for Supplemental Retirement Plans


Arista is your Third Party Administrator for the Supplemental Retirement plans, and their service platform is designed to improve employee engagement in the 403b/457 Plan. In addition to the standard administrative services, Arista coordinates educational programs and new, diverse investment offerings. This is designed to help you understand your Retirement Savings options and why Retirement Saving is important.  If you would like to speak to a Retirement Plan team member at Arista, please contact them using the information on the Resources page.  A dedicated team member will be glad to help.

403(b) and 457(b) Retirement Savings Plans


Retirement savings plans are available if you wish to supplement your retirement benefits.  You have the choice of the following carriers: Horace Mann, Corebridge Financial Services (formerly AIG/VALIC), or Vision Financial.

 

457(b) Retirement Savings Plan

In determining if a 457(b) Roth account is right for you, we encourage you to carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages.  A 457(b) Roth may appeal to those who:

  • Cannot contribute to a Roth IRA due to income limits
  • Are young and in lower income tax brackets than they expect to be in retirement
  • Are financially stable, but expect tax rate increases
  • Want tax diversity and flexibility in retirement

 

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

A Roth account can be a way to boost your savings or reduce your taxable income in the future. The account will allow you to set aside after-tax money, and after five years, make tax-free withdrawals of principal, interest, and earnings if certain conditions are met.

 

 

 

Planning to Retire?


For more information on your retirement options, please review the SHBP Retirement Presentation available here.

 

If you have additional questions, please email the Benefits Service Center at help@effinghamschoolsbenefits.com.