- If you leave, you can withdraw your own contributions (not the employer's). The payment can't be made until 4 months after you stop working, and not while you work for any employer covered by TRS of Oklahoma.Member Handbook (2025), pp. 8-9; OAC 715:10-11-1(1)
- A refund includes part of the interest credited: 50% with under 16 years of membership, 60% for 16-20, 75% for 21-25 and 90% for 26 or more.70 O.S. § 17-105(I)(1)-(4)
- Withdrawing ends your rights to all service before the withdrawal. If you return to Oklahoma public education and work 12 months, you can redeposit the money plus 10% simple interest a year to get the service back.Member Handbook (2025), p. 9; OAC 715:10-5-9(1)
- If you're vested, you can leave your money in TRS of Oklahoma and retire later. There's no hardship withdrawal.OAC 715:10-7-1 (p. 43); Member Handbook (2025), p. 9
When a refund can be paid
After leaving employment a member may withdraw the member contributions in the account (not the employer's share). Payment can be made no earlier than 4 months after termination; no withdrawal while employed by a TRS of Oklahoma employer in any capacity. No hardship withdrawals. Member Handbook (2025), pp. 8-9, How do I request to withdraw funds from my account?; 70 O.S. § 17-105(I); OAC 715:10-11-1(1) (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 52) Stop working on May 22, 2026 and the earliest payment is September 22, 2026.
How much interest you get
For withdrawals after June 30, 2003, interest at a Board-set rate, paid as a share of interest by years of membership: under 16 years 50%; 16 to under 21, 60%; 21 to under 26, 75%; 26 or more, 90%. On the death of an active member the full interest is restored. 70 O.S. § 17-105(I)(1)-(4)
| Years of membership | Share of interest |
|---|---|
| 5 | 50% |
| 15 | 50% |
| 16 | 60% |
| 20 | 60% |
| 21 | 75% |
| 25 | 75% |
| 26 | 90% |
| 30 | 90% |
What a refund gives up
Withdrawal ends rights to benefits for all service before the withdrawal. Member Handbook (2025), p. 9 Pre-tax funds can be rolled over; after-tax funds too if the receiving institution accepts them; RMD amounts can't be. Member Handbook (2025), p. 9
Withdrawn service can be reinstated after returning to Oklahoma public education with 12 calendar months of creditable service, by redepositing the contributions plus 10% simple interest a year from withdrawal to repayment, while still an active member. Member Handbook (2025), p. 9, p. 21; OAC 715:10-5-9(1) (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 29) Redepositing is one of the ways to buy service. Refund tax and rollover rules are on the taxes page.
If you're vested
A vested member who leaves keeps an indefinite membership extension while contributions stay on deposit, and can retire later. Waiting past regular retirement age without working doesn't increase the benefit. OAC 715:10-7-1(a)-(c) (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 43); 70 O.S. § 17-105(C); Member Handbook (2025), p. 11 Use the "I've stopped working" box in the calculator to see when you could start and what you'd get. How early you can start depends on when you joined: see Early retirement.
Questions
Can I get my TRS of Oklahoma contributions back if I quit teaching?
Yes, your own contributions plus part of the interest (not the employer's share), no sooner than 4 months after you stop working. Doing so gives up all the service before the withdrawal.
Should I take a refund or leave my money in TRS of Oklahoma?
If you're vested (5 years if you joined before November 1, 2017, 7 if after), you can leave it and draw a lifetime benefit later. A refund pays only your contributions and part of the interest.
Source: Member Handbook, Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma, Plan provisions as of July 1, 2025, pp. 8-9, 9, 11, 21. Also: TRS of Oklahoma rules, OAC 715:10-5-9, 715:10-7-1, 715:10-11-1; 70 O.S. § 17-105. Last reviewed .