The TRS Outreach Team provides information to TRS members in their school districts, through their unions/professional organizations and virtually. With more than 456,000 TRS members, "outreach" includes a broad spectrum of presentations and approaches.
See the below dates and descriptions for upcoming outreach opportunities. Invites are sent via email and limited to 500 registered people.
Active Members
April 16: Tier 1 TRS Express!
A TRS representative will explain the benefits offered to Tier 1 members (retirement, disability and death benefits) and will help you to find and understand your place on the retirement timeline. A TRS partner from Voya Financial will present information about the TRS Supplemental Savings Plan (TRS-SSP). These one-hour sessions will also provide time for you to ask your own questions about TRS.
April 22 & May 20: Information for Newer TRS Members
The benefits of being a TRS member start when a member first contributes to TRS, no matter how far away retirement may be. This webinar explains what TRS contributions provide during a member’s career and in retirement. A Voya Retirement Education Specialist will participate to explain how the TRS Supplemental Savings Plan can enhance and provide additional options for our newest members.
May 21: Tier 2 TRS Express!
A TRS representative will explain the benefits offered to Tier 2 members (retirement, disability and death benefits) and will help you to find and understand your place on the retirement timeline. A TRS partner from Voya Financial will present information about the TRS Supplemental Savings Plan (TRS-SSP). These one-hour sessions will also provide time for you to ask your own questions about TRS.
Retired Members
April 3: 1099-R and W-4P Tax Forms Webinar
Changes occur to tax laws almost every year. We'll discuss federal withholdings and how to change it for the upcoming tax year, 1099-Rs and how to request a duplicate 1099-R form. Note that TRS cannot give tax advice.
May 13: Retiree Health Insurance
Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP)/Teachers' Retiree Advantage Illinois (TRAIL)
TRIP is the primary medical and prescription drug program for retirees who are not yet eligible for Medicare. TRAIL is the Medicare Advantage program for retirees who are Medicare eligible. We'll cover how and when retirees transition from TRIP to TRAIL, discuss enrolling if never enrolled in the program and re-enrollment in the program.
May 27: Death Benefits & the Beneficiary Form
TRS reviews your beneficiary form at the time of your retirement. Your life situation may have changed since then. This webinar reviews the benefits available to both you and your survivors and how to make changes if needed.
June 10, 12, 18, 24, 25 | July 9, 10, 15, 17: What's Next?
The webinars are designed to explain what happens after your last day of service. We will review the retirement timeline through receipt of your first pension payment, enrollment in the TRIP/TRAIL health insurance program and beginning post-retirement employment.
School Districts
May 7: J1 Visas
Description TBA
July 23: TRS Member Services Overview for HR Managers
You already know that TRS works with you to ensure accurate and timely reporting of essential employment information for all TRS members. This webinar is specifically created for Human Resources staff to review what TRS does. It explains at a high level how retirement, disability and death benefits are calculated. It also clarifies employer responsibilities relative to the retirement process and post-retirement limitations.