You're covered by both
Coordinated members are public school or Minnesota State teachers covered by Social Security. TRA retirees who resume teaching pay Social Security and Medicare (not TRA) deductions. Actuarial valuation (July 1, 2025), p. 71, Coordinated Members: Eligibility
You pay 8% of pay to TRA and your employer 9.81% (from July 1, 2025), on top of Social Security. minnesotatra.org, New to TRA, Current and historical plan rates
Where Social Security's age still matters
- TRA's normal retirement age is 65 for everyone since July 1, 2024. Before that, Tier II used the Social Security age, capped at 66. Minn. Stat. 354.05, subd. 38 (2026)
- Accelerated annuity: you can take a bigger payment until 62, 65, Social Security normal retirement age, to bridge to Social Security. TRA Handbook (2022), p. 20, Accelerated annuity Payment options.
- Earnings limit: it stops at Social Security normal retirement age. Minn. Stat. 354.44, subd. 5 (2026) Working after retirement.
Taxes
Because Coordinated members earn Social Security, they generally can't use Minnesota's public pension subtraction. See taxes.
- TRA's Coordinated Plan is coordinated with Social Security: members pay into both, and employers also pay the Social Security match.ACFR FY2025, p. 121, Employer Contributions
- Minnesota TRA's own description: the pension pays a modest but consistent income for life and replaces part of your income in retirement, along with Social Security and personal savings.minnesotatra.org, New to TRA, What new members need to know
- Retirees who return to TRA-covered work are generally under a $46,000 earnings limit until their Social Security normal retirement age. The 2026 omnibus pension bill extended the suspension of that limit for PreK-12 work to salary earned through June 30, 2030. Retirees working for Minnesota State under the Annuitant Employment Program have a $62,000 limit.TRIB Summer 2026 (Retiree), p. 1, Earnings limitation suspension extended
- If you're on Minnesota TRA disability benefits, you may also be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.TRA Handbook (2022), p. 10, Disability benefits
- Survivor benefits may also be available from the Social Security Administration, in addition to Minnesota TRA's survivor benefits.TRA Handbook (2022), p. 10, Survivor benefits
Questions
Do Minnesota teachers pay into Social Security?
Yes. TRA's Coordinated Plan is coordinated with Social Security: you pay into both, and your employer also pays the Social Security match.
Does Social Security change my TRA pension?
Not the formula. Social Security's normal retirement age still shows up in a few places: the accelerated annuity can run to it, and the earnings limit ends there. TRA's own normal retirement age is 65.
If I go back to teaching after retiring, what comes out of my pay?
Social Security and Medicare deductions, at any age. Minnesota TRA contributions are no longer withheld.
Can my family get Social Security survivor benefits too?
Possibly. Minnesota TRA's handbook notes that survivor benefits may also be available from the Social Security Administration. Ask SSA about your record.
Source: TRA Handbook of Benefits and Services, April 2022, with 2023-2026 law changes from Minnesota Statutes 2026 and TRA's 2025-2026 publications, TRA Handbook (April 2022) pp. 10, 20, 22. Also: Actuarial valuation (July 1, 2025) p. 71; ACFR FY2025 p. 121; minnesotatra.org; TRIB Summer 2026 (Retiree) p. 1; Minn. Stat. §§ 354.05, 354.44 (2026). Last reviewed .