Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for December 15, 2005 TRS BENEFITS REPORT

Oh, teachers...

Each year, someone laments that they do not know if they have been credited with the correct number of years for retirement, or that they do not know if they are being credited with the proper salary, or...whatever! When they are reminded that the Teachers' Retirement System sends out an annual "Benefits Report" that includes that information - for every year of employment in Illinois - the response is frequently that they never received such a statement.

Well...it's that time again...received my annual "Benefits Report" from TRS yesterday in the U.S. Mail!

So...each of you should be receiving same...yesterday...the day before...tomorrow...whenever. Look for it...review it...and if you have any questions, feel free to contact TRS directly. Errors are always easier to correct the sooner they are discovered.

And...yes...when you see that you only received "0.959 Service Credit" for the 2001-02 school year - instead of the normal 1.000 - THAT is the effect of the 17-day strike that year. (That's why you want to be sure to save 7 sick days for retirement purposes. It takes 170 days to get credit for a complete school year...we only did 163 days in 2001-02.)

And...while we are at it...the amount shown on the "Benefits Report" should be HIGHER than what is reflected in your paycheck and on the salary schedule BECAUSE it includes Board Paid Retirement.)

So...in addition to the previous admonition to "check your check", also...CHECK YOUR MAIL!