The following definitions are provided to help you understand terms we regularly use in our seminars, correspondence, and publications. These definitions are general, not technical, in nature. For detailed definitions, please see the Illinois Pension Code, Article 16.

A

ACH, automated clearing house

Banks sometimes refer to a direct deposit as an ACH transfer.

administrative review

The process through which one may appeal a disputed staff determination to the TRS Board of Trustees.

Administrative Rules

Official rules adopted by TRS that identify the meaning of TRS benefit provisions or the processes concerning such benefits.

annual salary rate

For full-time or part-time contractual teachers: The amount that would have been earned if a member worked his or her normal schedule with no dock for the entire school term or length of the employment agreement, if longer. The annual salary rate includes the annual contract rate, the value of any reportable flexible benefit plan in which a member participates, earnings for reportable extra duties, and severance payments. For part-time contractual teachers, the annual salary rate is representative of the part-time schedule.

For part-time noncontractual teachers and substitute teachers: The annual salary rate is equal to creditable earnings.

annuitant

A person receiving a monthly retirement annuity or disability retirement annuity from TRS. Survivor benefit recipients are not included in this definition.

assistant regional superintendent

An appointed public official who assists the regional superintendent of a regional office of education (ROE). This position is covered by TRS.

Annual Reporting System (ARS)

A computer software program that enables TRS-covered employers to file the Employer’s Annual Report of Earnings form on diskette. The Annual Reporting System contains basic reporting rules that prevent or identify and correct many potential data entry and reporting errors and allows resolution of errors prior to submitting the annual report to TRS. All employers with 50 or more TRS-covered employees are required to file their annual report using the ARS.

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