The plans
Largest lifetime benefit. No monthly benefit to a beneficiary; any contributions and interest not yet paid out (usually used up within about 18 months) go to your beneficiary in a lump sum. Member's Guide pp. 13-14, Plan A: Maximum Plan
Slightly reduced lifetime benefit; remaining contributions and interest (usually used up in 10-14 years) are refunded to your beneficiary or estate. Member's Guide p. 14, Plan B: Option 1
Reduced lifetime benefit; your beneficiary gets a lifetime benefit comparable to 100% of your benefit. Multiple beneficiaries allowed. Member's Guide p. 14, Plan B: Option 2
Like Option 2, but if your beneficiary dies first your benefit rises to the original Maximum Plan amount plus increases. One primary beneficiary only. Member's Guide p. 15, Plan B: Option 2 Pop-Up
Reduced lifetime benefit; your beneficiary gets a lifetime benefit comparable to 50% of your benefit. Multiple beneficiaries allowed. Member's Guide p. 15, Plan B: Option 3
Like Option 3 with the pop-up to the Maximum Plan amount if your beneficiary dies first. One primary beneficiary only. Member's Guide p. 15, Plan B: Option 3 Pop-Up
Reduced lifetime benefit in exchange for naming a specific dollar amount or percentage for your beneficiary(ies). The beneficiary benefit can't push your benefit below 50% of the Maximum. Beneficiaries get a prorated share of COLAs. Member's Guide p. 15, Plan B: Option 4
If a non-spouse beneficiary is more than 10 years younger than you, Options 2, 2 Pop-Up and 4 may be limited by IRS required minimum distribution rules. Member's Guide pp. 14-16, Plan B: Options 2, 2 Pop-Up, 4
TRS of Georgia's sample estimate
The only published figures are one sample: a member retiring at 59 with 30 years and a $3,500.00 Maximum Plan check. The beneficiary's age isn't shown. Pre-Retirement Handout p. 4, Sample Benefit Estimate
| Plan | You get | % of Maximum | Beneficiary gets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan A: Maximum Plan | $3,500.00 | 100% | — |
| Plan B: Option 1 | $3,490.68 | 99.7% | — |
| Plan B: Option 2 | $3,273.90 | 93.5% | $3,273.90 |
| Plan B: Option 2 Pop-Up | $3,250.45 | 92.9% | $3,250.45 |
| Plan B: Option 3 | $3,383.10 | 96.7% | $1,691.55 |
| Plan B: Option 3 Pop-Up | $3,370.50 | 96.3% | $1,685.25 |
| Plan B: Option 4 | $3,465.35 | 99% | $500.00 |
Your figures will differ. They depend on your age and your beneficiary's age.
TRS of Georgia doesn't publish the factors that set Options 1 to 4. They depend on your age and your beneficiary's age. The only figures are one sample estimate.
What we use: we show the Maximum Plan amount and the sample estimate's percentages as a guide only. Get your real Plan B amounts from TRS of Georgia.
Adding a PLOP
With a full retirement you can also take part of your pension as cash. See PLOP. With a survivorship option and a PLOP, your beneficiary's benefit is based on your reduced benefit. trsga.com, Partial Lump Sum Option Plan (PLOP)
Changing your mind
With a survivorship option you may change your plan or beneficiary only if (1) your beneficiary dies before you (choose another survivorship option, or the Maximum Plan if you had a pop-up); (2) your spouse is the sole beneficiary and you divorce; or (3) you end your retirement, return to membership and retire again. Member's Guide p. 16, Changes in Plan of Retirement and Beneficiary Designation
If you die within 30 days of your retirement date you're treated as an active member and your account is settled as a death in service. Member's Guide p. 13, Plans of Retirement
What the guide says
- Plan A (Maximum) pays the most, for your life only. Any contributions and interest not yet paid out when you die go to your beneficiary as a lump sum.Member's Guide pp. 13-14, Plan A: Maximum Plan
- Plan B Option 1 pays slightly less for life and refunds any remaining contributions and interest to your beneficiary.Member's Guide p. 14, Plan B: Option 1
- Option 2 pays your beneficiary a lifetime benefit equal to 100% of yours; Option 3 pays 50%. You can name more than one beneficiary.Member's Guide pp. 14-15, Plan B: Options 2 and 3
- The Pop-Up versions of Options 2 and 3 raise your benefit back to the Maximum amount (plus increases) if your beneficiary dies first. They allow only one primary beneficiary.Member's Guide p. 15, Option 2 Pop-Up; Option 3 Pop-Up
- Option 4 lets you set a dollar amount or percentage for your beneficiary, as long as your own benefit stays at least 50% of the Maximum.Member's Guide p. 15, Plan B: Option 4
- In TRS of Georgia's sample estimate ($3,500.00 Maximum), Option 1 paid $3,490.68, Option 2 $3,273.90, Option 2 Pop-Up $3,250.45, Option 3 $3,383.10, Option 3 Pop-Up $3,370.50 and Option 4 $3,465.35. The beneficiary's age wasn't shown.Pre-Retirement Handout p. 4, Sample Benefit Estimate
- TRS of Georgia doesn't publish option factors. The cost depends on your age, your beneficiary's age and IRS rules; get exact amounts from TRS of Georgia's pension calculator or a benefit estimate.Member's Guide pp. 13-14, Plans of Retirement
- Once TRS of Georgia issues your first check, you can change plans only if your beneficiary dies before you, you divorce a spouse who is your only beneficiary, or you return to work and retire again.Member's Guide p. 16, Changes in Plan of Retirement
- With a normal retirement you can also take a Partial Lump-Sum Option (PLOP): 1 to 36 months of your Maximum benefit, in $1,000 steps, in exchange for a permanently lower monthly benefit.Member's Guide p. 13, Partial Lump-Sum Option (PLOP)
- TRS of Georgia's PLOP example: a 60-year-old with $3,300 a month takes $50,000. At $7.51 per $1,000, the benefit drops by $375.50 to $2,924.50.trsga.com, Partial Lump Sum Option Plan (PLOP), Distribution Example
- Check with TRS of GeorgiaTRS of Georgia's published PLOP reduction table (Maximum Plan) says $7.41 per $1,000 at 59, but its sample estimate for a 59-year-old shows $6.57. Ask TRS of Georgia for current figures.trsga.com, PLOP Benefit Reduction Table; Pre-Retirement Handout p. 4The two TRS of Georgia sources disagree.
Questions
What payment plans does TRS of Georgia offer?
Plan A, the Maximum Plan, pays the most, for your life only. Plan B has Options 1, 2, 2 Pop-Up, 3, 3 Pop-Up and 4. Each pays you less so someone else can get money after you die.
How much less do the Plan B options pay?
TRS of Georgia doesn't publish the factors. They depend on your age, your beneficiary's age and IRS rules. Ask TRS of Georgia for an estimate.
Can I change my plan later?
Only in a few cases: your beneficiary dies first, you divorce a spouse who is your only beneficiary, or you go back to work and retire again.
Source: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia Member's Guide, 06/26, pp. 13, 14, 15, 16, 26; Pre-Retirement Handout pp. 2, 4; ACFR FY2026 p. 13; Valuation 6/30/2025 pp. 37, 38; trsga.com pages. Last reviewed .