Air Time
Up to 3 years of service bought at full actuarial cost when you apply to retire, if you already have 25 years.
These are the words you'll meet in TRS of Georgia letters and on these pages. To put them to work, try the TRS of Georgia calculator with a 30-year example, or start with the formula and payment options.
Base year
The year before your two highest salary years, used for the salary increase limit.
Break in service
The 1-month gap Georgia law requires after you retire. Any paid work for a TRS of Georgia employer in your retirement month voids the retirement.
COLA
Cost-of-living adjustment, a 1.5% increase TRS of Georgia may grant each January 1 and July 1, based on the Consumer Price Index. It isn't automatic.
Creditable service
Membership service plus any service you buy or earn from unused sick leave.
Early retirement
Retiring before 60 with at least 25 (but under 30) years of service. Your benefit is reduced for life.
Earnable compensation
Your full regular pay for full normal working time, not counting pay from second jobs.
Final average salary
The monthly average of your 2 highest years in a row (24 months) of membership salary. They don't have to be your last 2 years.
Inactive account
An account with no contributions for more than 4 years in a row. It stops earning interest, and you can't buy service.
Maximum Plan (Plan A)
The largest lifetime benefit. Nobody gets a monthly benefit after you die; any contributions and interest not yet paid out go to your beneficiary.
Normal retirement
Retiring with 30 years of service at any age, or at 60 with at least 10 years. There's no reduction.
Plan B
The other ways to be paid (Options 1, 2, 2 Pop-Up, 3, 3 Pop-Up and 4). Each pays you less than the Maximum Plan so someone else can get money after you die.
PLOP
Partial Lump-Sum Option, a one-time cash payment at retirement in exchange for a lower monthly benefit.
Pop-Up
A version of Option 2 or Option 3. If your beneficiary dies before you, your benefit goes back up to the Maximum Plan amount plus increases.
Salary increase limitation
A cap on how much of a raise counts in your average salary, for members whose current membership date is on or after July 1, 1984.
SHBP
The State Health Benefit Plan, run by the Department of Community Health. If you're approved for it, TRS of Georgia takes the premium out of your monthly benefit.
Unused sick leave credit
Service added at retirement for unused, unpaid sick days: 1 month for every 20 days, with at least 60 days needed. 9 months make a year.
Vested
Having at least 10 years of creditable service.
No terms match. Try a shorter word.
Plain English, not the official wordingThese definitions put the TRS of Georgia Member's Guide into everyday words. They aren't TRS of Georgia's official definitions, and they aren't legal or financial advice. TRS of Georgia decides your benefit.
Source: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia Member's Guide, 06/26, pp. 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 23; Valuation 6/30/2025 p. 34. Last reviewed .