Only what the sources say Check with Montana TRS
Montana TRS's web page says the majority of its members receive Social Security benefits at some point after they retire, and that you might retire with Montana TRS several years before Social Security starts. Employers withhold Social Security (FICA) and Medicare taxes from termination pay. No source we saved states the Section 218 coverage arrangement directly.
Montana TRS web page: Saving for Your Future; Termination Pay fact sheet (Mar. 26, 2026), p. 1- Check with Montana TRSMontana TRS says most of its members receive Social Security at some point after they retire, and employers withhold Social Security (FICA) and Medicare taxes from termination pay. Check with Montana TRS about your own coverage.No source states the coverage arrangement directly.Montana TRS web page: Saving for Your Future; Termination Pay fact sheet (Mar. 26, 2026), p. 1
- You might retire with Montana TRS several years before your Social Security benefits begin.Montana TRS web page: Saving for Your Future
- Montana TRS describes retirement income as a three-legged stool: the pension, Social Security, and your own savings, such as a 457 or 403(b) plan through your employer or an IRA.Montana TRS web page: Saving for Your Future
- Your Montana TRS benefit is based on your years of service and AFC, not your account balance, and it lasts for your lifetime.Montana TRS web page: Saving for Your Future
Sources say most members get Social Security and FICA is withheld from termination pay, but none states the coverage arrangement directly.
Quote the sources; 'Check with Montana TRS'
What would settle it: Montana's Section 218 agreement summary or a Montana TRS statement.
What to do
- Check your Social Security earnings record for your Montana teaching years.
- Plan for a gap if your Montana TRS benefit starts years before Social Security.
- Ask Montana TRS if you're unsure whether a job was covered.
Your Montana TRS amount is in the calculator. Taxes on both: taxes.
Questions
Do Montana teachers get Social Security?
Montana TRS says most of its members receive Social Security at some point after they retire, and employers withhold Social Security (FICA) taxes from termination pay. That implies most Montana teaching jobs pay into Social Security, but no source we used says so directly. Check with Montana TRS and the Social Security Administration about your own record.
Will my Montana TRS pension start before Social Security?
It may. Montana TRS notes you might retire several years before your Social Security benefits begin.
Is my Montana TRS pension based on my account balance?
No. It's based on your years of service and your AFC, and it lasts for your lifetime.
What else should I save besides Montana TRS and Social Security?
Montana TRS describes a three-legged stool: the pension, Social Security and your own savings, such as a 457 or 403(b) plan through your employer, or an IRA.
Source: Montana TRS: Understand Your Benefits (web page) and fact sheets, Fetched Nov. 12, 2026; fact sheets revised 2019-2026, fact sheets: Termination Pay p. 1. Also: Montana TRS web page: Saving for Your Future. Last reviewed .