This summary is an informal presentation of the TMRS Act and related law, and if any specific questions of fact or law should arise, the statutes will govern.
Applying for Service Retirement
Social Security and Your TMRS Benefit
Retirement Checklist
Applying for Service Retirement
To apply for TMRS retirement, request a Service Retirement Application packet from TMRS or download one here. The packet contains all the forms you need as well as helpful information about retirement.
Your Service Retirement Application must be received in the TMRS office by your effective date of retirement but no more than 90 days before the effective date.
Remember that retiring from TMRS and notifying your city that you intend to retire are separate processes. Check with your city's personnel office for their requirements.
Your TMRS effective retirement date must be the last day of a calendar month. Your first benefit payment will be made at the end of the month following your effective retirement date.
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Social Security and Your TMRS Benefit
If you receive Social Security benefits, they will not affect your TMRS benefit.
However, there are some Social Security provisions you may want to learn more about.
The Government Pension Offset. If you receive a Social Security benefit based on your spouse's employment, and you also receive a pension from a government employer who was not part of the Social Security program, your Social Security benefit may be offset by your governmental pension. The offset will reduce the amount of your Social Security spouse's benefit by two-thirds of the amount of your government pension. The Social Security Administration provides more information on the offset here.
The Windfall Elimination Provision. If you receive a Social Security benefit, but the majority of your career was spent working for a governmental employer who was not part of the Social Security program, your Social Security benefit may be calculated using a formula that reduces your Social Security benefit. The Social Security Administration provides more information about the provision here.
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Retirement Checklist
You will need the following items to complete your retirement application process.
Forms (all in the Service Retirement Application packet):
- Application For Service Retirement (no more than 90 days before retirement)
- Selection of a Retirement Plan
- Name Certification (Use this if current name differs from birth certificate.)
- Selection of a Partial Lump Sum Distribution (Use this form if you want part of your benefit in a lump sum.)
- Electronic Direct Deposit Authorization
Other documents:
- Birth Certificate (copy)
- Birth Certificate for beneficiary (copy, and only if a Survivor Lifetime option is selected).
After TMRS receives your retirement application, we will send you a Tax Withholding Card (W4-P), which you will need to complete and return to us.
For detailed information on preparing for retirement, call TMRS for a copy of The Checklist for Service Retirement, or see this page for a detailed planning guide.
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