Classified vs. nonclassified
Classified staff (teachers, administrators and similar) must join; nonclassified staff working 20+ hours a week may choose.
Teachers' Retirement System and YOU one-pagerMore on this →COLA
A cost-of-living adjustment. TRS of Oklahoma retirees get one only when the Legislature passes a law for it, as it did in 2020 and 2026.
2020 COLA FAQ, Q1; 2026 COLA FAQ, p. 1More on this →Creditable service
The years that count in your benefit, including contributory service, purchased service and unused sick leave (120 days = 1 year), figured to the tenth of a year.
Member Handbook (2025), pp. 12-14; OAC 715:10-15-8 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 72)More on this →Early reduction factor
The share of your benefit you keep for life if you retire before full eligibility. It depends on your age and when you joined.
Member Handbook (2025), pp. 10-11More on this →EESIP
The Education Employees Service Incentive Plan, which moves two capped pre-1995 years to your full salary for each year worked past full retirement eligibility.
Member Handbook (2025), pp. 18-19More on this →Final average salary (FAS)
The average of your highest 3 salaries (joined before July 1, 1992) or highest 5 consecutive salaries.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 17More on this →Health insurance supplement
$100 to $105 a month that TRS of Oklahoma pays toward your retiree health insurance premium if you retire with 10 or more years.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 28More on this →Joint annuitant vs. beneficiary
A joint annuitant gets a monthly benefit for life (Options 2 and 3); a beneficiary gets a set amount such as the $5,000.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 31More on this →Low base and high base
The $25,000 or $40,000 salary cap you elected for service before July 1, 1995. Those years are figured on the lesser of your average salary and your cap.
Member Handbook (2025), pp. 17-18More on this →Maximum Option
The largest monthly benefit, paid for your life only. Any money left in your member account when you die goes to your beneficiary.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 21More on this →Membership date
The date of your first contribution on your current account. It decides your retirement group and how many years you need to vest.
OAC 715:10-1-6 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 13); Member Handbook (2025), pp. 9-10More on this →PIV
The Pre-Retirement Information Verification form, due at least 90 days before your retirement date.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 25More on this →PLSO
Partial Lump Sum Option, a one-time payment of 12, 24 or 36 months of benefit for members with 30 years.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 23More on this →Pop-up
Under Options 2 and 3, your benefit returns to the Maximum if your joint annuitant dies first.
Member Handbook (2025), pp. 22-23More on this →Postretirement employment
Working for an employer covered by TRS of Oklahoma after you retire while you keep drawing your benefit.
HB 2288 FAQ (2026), pp. 1-2More on this →Regular annual compensation
Salary plus employer-paid fringe benefits, including pay for extra duties. It's what you contribute on and what your final average salary is made of.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 8More on this →Rule of 80 / Rule of 90 ('Combination 80/90')
Your age plus your years of creditable service. Reaching the total gives an unreduced benefit.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 10More on this →Vesting
Having enough service to keep the right to a monthly benefit if you leave: 5 years if you joined before November 1, 2017, 7 years if you joined on or after.
Member Handbook (2025), p. 9More on this →Source: Member Handbook, Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma, Plan provisions as of July 1, 2025, pp. 8, 9-10, 9, 10-11, 10, 12-14, 17, 17-18, 18-19, 21, 22-23, 23, 25, 28, 31. Also: Teachers' Retirement System and YOU one-pager; 2020 COLA FAQ; 2026 COLA FAQ; HB 2288 FAQ (2026); TRS of Oklahoma rules, OAC 715:10-1-6, 715:10-15-8. Last reviewed .