Adjusted age difference
How TCRS measures the age gap with a non-spouse beneficiary: (your age - their age) - (70 - your age) if you're under 70.
Legacy Member Guide p. 10More on this →Average final compensation (AFC)
Your average pay over your five highest-paid consecutive years (60 consecutive months).
Legacy Member Guide p. 3More on this →Benefit improvement (5%)
Legacy teacher benefits are increased by 5% after the formula. It applies to monthly retirement, disability and death benefits, not lump sums.
Legacy Member Guide p. 4More on this →Bona fide separation
Required before a return-to-work job: no prearranged return, and at least 60 days fully out of TCRS-covered work.
Return to Work Requirements p. 2More on this →COLA
Cost-of-living adjustment: a July raise tied to the CPI, at most 3% a year, after 12 months of benefits.
Legacy Member Guide p. 12More on this →Cost controls
Hybrid Plan rules that can trim the COLA, contributions or the 1% formula if the plan's costs pass limits in state law.
Hybrid Member Guide p. 16More on this →Creditable service
Creditable service: membership service plus other public service TCRS credits, such as Tennessee state, higher-education, teaching or participating local government work.
Legacy Member Guide p. 4More on this →Early retirement
Starting your benefit before you qualify for service retirement. The benefit is permanently reduced.
Legacy Member Guide p. 6; Hybrid Member Guide p. 6More on this →Hybrid Plan
The plan for teachers hired on or after July 1, 2014: a TCRS pension at 1% per year of service plus a 401(k) account.
Hybrid Member Guide p. 2, p. 5More on this →Legacy Plan
The TCRS pension for teachers hired before July 1, 2014: 1.5% of average pay per year of service (1.75% on pay above the SSIL), plus 5%.
Legacy Member Guide p. 2, p. 4-7More on this →Member Only Option
The largest monthly benefit, paid for your life only. Also called the Regular Maximum Plan.
Legacy Member Guide p. 9-10More on this →RetireReadyTN
RetireReadyTN: the Treasury program that combines TCRS, the State 401(k) and 457(b), and retirement education. Phone (800) 922-7772.
Legacy Member Guide p. 2, p. 16Rule of 90 / Rule of 80
Rule of 90 / Rule of 80: Hybrid Plan tests in which age plus years of service must reach 90 (full benefit) or 80 (early benefit).
Hybrid Member Guide p. 6More on this →Service retirement
TCRS's term for a full, unreduced retirement benefit.
Legacy Member Guide p. 5More on this →Social Security Leveling Option
A larger TCRS check before 62 and a permanently smaller one after, to even out income around Social Security.
Legacy Member Guide p. 10More on this →SSIL (Social Security integration level)
SSIL (Social Security integration level): a TCRS figure based on the 35-year average of the Social Security wage base, rounded to the nearest $600.
Legacy Member Guide p. 7More on this →Vested
You've earned the right to a future TCRS benefit: five years (60 months) of creditable service.
Legacy Member Guide p. 3More on this →Source: TCRS Legacy Retirement Plan for Teachers Member Guide and Hybrid Retirement Plan for State Employees and Teachers Member Guide, Legacy 12/2024; Hybrid revised 07/2024, Legacy Member Guide pp. 2, 3, 4, 4-7, 5, 6, 7, 9-10, 10, 12, 16; Hybrid Member Guide pp. 2, 5, 6, 16. Also: Return to Work Requirements p. 2. Last reviewed .