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.

D

DD214

Military separation documents used for validating military service with TRS.

Days Worked Report

A calendar prepared by TRS on which the employer tracks the dates worked by part-time and substitute teachers.

death certificate

An official document that attests to the death of an individual.

death refund

The return of member contributions for retirement and automatic increase in base pension, plus statutory interest. Contributions for survivor benefits are not refunded.

defined benefit plan

A retirement plan that pays a specific benefit, usually based on a combination of age, service credit, and salary. TRS is a defined benefit plan. The plan bears the economic risk.

defined contribution plan

A retirement plan where the employer pays a predetermined percentage of salary to a retirement fund. The amount of the retirement benefit is determined by the amount of the contributions and the returns on the invested contributions. The employee bears the economic risk.

dependent beneficiary

1. A spouse who was married for at least one year prior to a member’s or an annuitant’s death, except where a child is born of the marriage in which case such qualifying period is not applicable;
2. an eligible child of a member or an annuitant; or
3. a dependent parent of a member or an annuitant. A parent is eligible as a dependent beneficiary for survivor benefits only if there is no other dependent beneficiary.

dependent parent

The parent (or parents) of a member or an annuitant who received at least 50 percent of his or her support from the member or annuitant in the 12 months preceding the member’s or annuitant’s death.

direct deposit

An electronic transfer of TRS monthly benefits to a recipient’s account at a financial institution.

disability benefit

A monthly benefit paid because of a medical condition that prevents an eligible member from teaching.

disability retirement annuity

An annuity payable to persons who have exhausted nonoccupational disability benefits.

disabled child

An unmarried natural or adopted child of any age who is dependent by reason of a physical or mental disability, unless the child is receiving benefits under the Illinois Public Aid Code, Article III.

discounted annuity

A retirement benefit received by persons retiring between ages 55 and 60 who have between 20 and 35 years of service credit. The formula benefit is reduced 6.0 percent for each year (0.5 percent per month) that the member is less than age 60. The discount can be avoided by using the Early Retirement Option.

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