Your Retirement in Focus

Are you considering retiring this year?  Have you met with one of our counselors or received an estimate of your retirement benefits?  These are just a couple of the topics that are discussed in this episode.  Carlos Marshall, New Retirement Manager, and Winston Buckley, Communications Director, give best practices to ensure you receive the necessary information to make the application process as...

In this episode we bring you highlights from some of the best parts of interviews we had throughout the year.  In these clips you'll hear information about things to consider as an active member, considerations for retirement, innovations at TRS, and even information about the ERS plan.  Guests in this episode include: Dr. L.C. "Buster" Evans - Executive Director of TRS Mr. Jim Potvin - Executor D...

Join us as we wrap up our second season! This episode will highlight TRS's accomplishments throughout the calendar year of 2021.  It has been a year that has been full of challenges and surprises but TRS has continued to provide excellent customer service to its retirees.  Dr. L.C. "Buster" Evans, Executive Director of TRS, joins us to give an update about the plan's assets, key metrics about the...

In this episode we had the opportunity to interview Danny Kofke, The Wealthy Teacher, as he describes just how he lives a wealthy lifestyle on a teacher's salary.  Danny shares both professional and personal testimony to give great advice on just how he and his family were able to overcome life's challenges and still stay on track to plan for financial security in retirement.  As a former teacher,...

In this episode we sat down with Dale Alexander of Alexander & Company as he shares personal testimony and his professional experience with educators across the state of Georgia.  Dale discusses how the Teachers Retirement System's monthly benefit serves as a cornerstone in retirement planning for so many.  He also gives invaluable advice to active members to help them make wise decisions to p...

In this episode, we interview retired TRS member, Mrs. Rhonda Lastie, who served at Athens Technical College.  Mrs. Lastie shares a wealth of knowledge and gives great advice to active members on what they should be doing to prepare for retirement.  Also, she gives helpful tips to our current retirees to enjoy their retirement to the fullest.  You do not want to miss this episode!   Please subscri...

In this episode, we will discuss things you should be thinking about as a new member of TRS. This is the last episode in this series and we discuss some things outside of TRS you should think about as well.  It's never too early to start planning for your retirement and financial literacy is an important part of it! Please subscribe and be sure to follow us on Facebook and YouTube as well by searc...

In this episode, we will discuss things you should be thinking about as a new member of TRS. We are doing things a little different and will be releasing this episode in parts with this one being part three of four.  Jerry LeBlanc, CFEI, Employer Training Coordinator and Retirement Planner at TRS, discusses the TRS formula, and things you should be thinking about early in your career as it pertain...

In this episode, we will discuss things you should be thinking about as a new member of TRS. We are doing things a little different and will be releasing this episode in parts with this one being part two of four.  Shaleste Miller, Retirement Planner II at TRS, discusses the importance of starting to plan early in your career for retirement and touches on the importance of compounding interest. Pl...

In this episode, we will discuss things you should be thinking about as a new member of TRS. We are doing things a little different and will be releasing this episode in parts with this one being the first of four.  Join Shaleste Miller, Retirement Planner II, and Jerry LeBlanc, Retirement Planner/Employer Training Coordinator, as they provide valuable information about TRS and your future. Please...

For the month of July we will be doing things just different in the way that we release our episodes.  Instead of releasing the entire episode at once, we will publish our podcasts in parts each week on Saturday mornings at 11:00 AM.  This will allow for you to digest all of the valuable information provided.  We know that retirement planning can be a daunting task, but we at TRS are here to help....

TRS Members, are you thinking about retiring early? Are you wondering what happens with your retirement benefit? What about penalties and sick leave? Listen as we dive into Early Retirement and eligibility requirements. Now that you have decided to retire, would you like to know where to apply and what to fill out online? Follow along with us as we go step-by-step through the online application pr...

Join us as we sit down with the Executive Director of the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia, Jim Potvin.   He will discuss plan options, PSERS, spending versus saving for retirement and so much more! He answers many of the questions that many state employees may have about their retirement plan including sharing his thoughts on the future of pensions.  Jim Potvin is the Executive Director of...

The Member Services Division of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia provides counseling sessions, process new retirement applications and provide refunds to our members. Take a listen as we learn more about how this department functions and assist TRS members with retirement.  Guests: Dina Jones and Niki Morse

In this bonus episode, our Executive Director answers a few questions sent in by one of our listeners. We discuss the current financial stability of The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia. Contact us at podcast@trsga.com. Host: Everett Crockett

Do you have member or employer questions? Did you ever wonder how TRS assists its members? Do you have questions and are unsure of how to reach us?  How do I register for a TRS account? How do I reset my password? What are contributions? Who are TRS-covered employers? What happens after I obtain 40 years of service? Director, Paige Donaldson, Contact Management Supervisor, Alicia Sanders and Opera...

Join us as we wrap up our first season! This episode will highlight TRS's SCCP campaign, Are You Ready To Apply For Retirement, Retirement Plans and Working After Retirement episodes, TRS updates and more! We want to hear from our members! Please email the show for topic inquiries, questions and comments!  Contact us at podcast@trsga.com.  Host: Everett Crockett  For more information visit: www.tr...

 Are you wondering about payments after death? Do you need clarity on primary and secondary beneficiaries? Do you have questions about sick leave and receiving your benefit check? Listen as we dive into our Retirement Services Division and get all of your questions answered!  Guests: Cory Buice, Jennifer Alridge, Evangeline Griffin Host: Everett Crockett

In this episode, we will discuss the benefit formula, how contributions and interest work, benefit amounts, deductions and legislative updates. At retirement, in addition to selecting Plan A (maximum plan) or Plan B (survivor-ship plan), you may also elect to receive a one-time lump-sum distribution (cash payment) in addition to your monthly retirement benefit. Would you like to know more about di...

Are you recently retired? Are you planning on working after you retire? Are you unsure of the rules? Do you want to know more about working at 49% capacity? If so, take a listen to this episode as we speak with Retirement Services Operations Manager, Christy Gray in the Working After Retirement section of TRS. She will spend some time with us explaining rules and guidelines for returning to work....

Teacher's Retirement System of Georgia has 7 plan options to choose from at retirement.  On this episode, we will review the options available to our members. TRS offers a defined benefit plan of retirement, also known as a 401(a). As its name implies, your retirement benefit is “defined” by calculation using your years of membership service, the average of your highest 24 consecutive months of sa...

This episode is highlighting the Communications Division, which essentially functions as the face of the agency. This division handles marketing, outreach, and training our employers. We chat with the new Director of Communications and Outreach, Winston Buckley about his vision. We discuss the past, present, and the future of what’s next for this department. Topics include Planning, Employer Train...

So, are you ready to retire? What's next? Join us as we navigate the application process, types of service purchases, and processing service purchase requests. Topics: Deadlines and Application Process, Do's and Don'ts of Service Purchases, Review of the types of Service Purchases  "This is our peak season in New Retirements"...... Operations Manager, Carlos Marshall discusses the application proc...

We sit down with our Executive Director, Dr. L.C. (Buster) Evans, to talk financial updates, Covid-19, legislative updates and more!

 Hello Members! The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia will empower, engage and educate you about retirement. We will provide a quick history lesson on TRS, share our goals for the new show and invite you to participate in Feedback Friday! Make sure to leave us a message below and subscribe!