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.
Two provisions of federal law, the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, can affect TMRS members who meet certain conditions.
You are most likely to be affected by one of these provisions if you have worked at least part of your career for a city or other governmental program that does not participate in the Social Security program. Most TMRS cities participate in Social Security and their employees will not be affected by these provisions.
Members approaching retirement should be aware of these laws and how they may affect any benefit they may receive from Social Security.
The Windfall Elimination Provision
The Social Security Website describes the Windfall Elimination Provision:
"If you work for an employer who doesn't withhold Social Security taxes, such as a government agency or an employer in another country, the pension you get based on that work may reduce your Social Security benefits.
"The . . . "windfall elimination provision" affects how your retirement or disability benefits are figured if you receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security. The formula used to figure your benefit amount is modified, giving you a lower Social Security benefit."
For more information, see the Social Security page at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10045.html.
The Government Pension Offset
The second provision may affect any person who receives benefits from a city that did not participate in Social Security, and who is eligible for Social Security benefits as a spouse or widower.
For more information, see the Social Security page at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10007.html.