Private School Service Credit Information

On August 17, House Bill 1148 became Public Act 96-0546. The law allows up to two years of optional service credit for private school teaching for members who apply for it between August 1, 2009-2012. A TRS member pays the full cost.

Here is a link to an optional service page with further details about purchasing the credit.

Here is a link to the recognized Illinois private school database (PDF). Please call Member Services at (800) 877-7896 or e-mail us at members@trs.illlinois.gov regarding any omissions from the list.

A Federal Withholding Message to Retirees and Survivors

A spring Topics & Report newsletter story detailed changes in the federal withholding tables for TRS annuitants. TRS is required to use a new lower income tax withholding table as part of the Federal Stimulus Package. This was reflected in your check issued on April 1. You may have noticed an increase, decrease, or no change based on your filing status.

TRS is not in the position to give tax advice. You may want to contact a qualified tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-1040 to ensure that you have adequate federal withholding for the 2009 tax year. If you are underwithholding, there could be a negative consequence at tax time.

You may contact TRS Member Services at members@trs.illinois.gov or call (800) 877-7896 if you are uncertain about the amount you are currently withholding.

Here is a link to the IRS form called Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments (W4-P) for your convenience: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4p.pdf. If you complete a new W4-P and forward it to TRS, it will override the status currently on file.

Online Security Increases in Member Account Access Area

Click here for more information.

Personalized Retirement Planning

A new benefit estimate feature in Member Account Access will take information from your TRS record and use it to help you calculate your retirement income. Click here for more on the Personalized Benefit Estimate.