The rules
- Take 1 to 36 months of your Maximum Plan (Plan A) check, in $1,000 steps. Member's Guide p. 13, Partial Lump-Sum Option (PLOP)
- The smallest PLOP is 1 month rounded up to the next $1,000. The largest is 36 months rounded down. trsga.com, Partial Lump Sum Option Plan (PLOP), Fast Facts
- Only with a full service retirement: 30 years, or 60 with 10 years. Not early or disability retirement. Member's Guide p. 13, Partial Lump-Sum Option (PLOP)
- Your check can't drop below 50% of the Maximum Plan amount. Member's Guide p. 13, Partial Lump-Sum Option (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)
The PLOP page says a PLOP can't cut your benefit 'by fifty percent or more', and also can't leave less than 50%. The two disagree when exactly 50% is left.
What we use: a PLOP may leave exactly 50% of the Maximum Plan amount.
The reduction table
How much your Maximum Plan check drops each month for every $1,000 you take, by your age at retirement. Other plans have different figures. trsga.com, Partial Lump Sum Option Plan (PLOP), Benefit Reduction Table
| Age | Per $1,000 | On a $50,000 PLOP |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $6.76 | −$338.00 |
| 51 | $6.81 | −$340.50 |
| 52 | $6.87 | −$343.50 |
| 53 | $6.93 | −$346.50 |
| 54 | $7.00 | −$350.00 |
| 55 | $7.07 | −$353.50 |
| 56 | $7.14 | −$357.00 |
| 57 | $7.22 | −$361.00 |
| 58 | $7.31 | −$365.50 |
| 59 | $7.41 | −$370.50 |
| 60 | $7.51 | −$375.50 |
| 61 | $7.62 | −$381.00 |
| 62 | $7.74 | −$387.00 |
| 63 | $7.87 | −$393.50 |
| 64 | $8.00 | −$400.00 |
| 65 | $8.15 | −$407.50 |
| 66 | $8.31 | −$415.50 |
| 67 | $8.47 | −$423.50 |
| 68 | $8.65 | −$432.50 |
| 69 | $8.84 | −$442.00 |
| 70 | $9.05 | −$452.50 |
| 71 | $9.27 | −$463.50 |
| 72 | $9.51 | −$475.50 |
| 73 | $9.76 | −$488.00 |
| 74 | $10.04 | −$502.00 |
| 75 | $10.33 | −$516.50 |
The table covers ages 50 to 75. The last column multiplies the figure by 50, for a $50,000 PLOP.
The PLOP table goes by whole age. The sources don't say if that's your age at your last birthday on the retirement date.
What we use: your age in whole years on your retirement date. Both examples fit that.
TRS of Georgia's examples
A $3,300 Maximum Plan check allows a PLOP of $4,000 to $118,000. Take $50,000: 50 × $7.51 = $375.50 less a month, leaving $2,924.50. trsga.com, Partial Lump Sum Option Plan (PLOP), Distribution Example
A $4,020 Maximum Plan check allows $5,000 to $144,000. Take $50,000: 50 × $7.22 = $361.00 less a month, leaving $3,659.00. PLOP brochure (undated), A PLOP Example
Our calculator gets the same amounts from the table for both.
The factors don't match
The table above says a 59-year-old's Maximum Plan check drops $7.41 per $1,000. TRS of Georgia's sample retirement estimate, for a member retiring at 59 on June 1, 2025, shows $6.57. trsga.com, Partial Lump Sum Option Plan (PLOP), Benefit Reduction Table; Pre-Retirement Handout p. 4, Sample Benefit Estimate
On a $50,000 PLOP that's $370.50 vs. $328.50 a month, a gap of $42.00. The table may be out of date, or the estimate may use other factors.
The published PLOP table says the Maximum Plan drops $7.41 a month for each $1,000 at age 59. TRS of Georgia's own sample estimate for a 59-year-old shows $6.57. Both can't be current.
What we use: the published table. Both TRS of Georgia PLOP examples match it.
The same sample estimate shows the per-$1,000 figure for each payment plan:
| Plan | Per $1,000 (sample, age 59) |
|---|---|
| Plan A: Maximum Plan | $6.57 |
| Plan B: Option 1 | $6.56 |
| Plan B: Option 2 | $6.15 |
| Plan B: Option 2 Pop-Up | $6.10 |
| Plan B: Option 3 | $6.35 |
| Plan B: Option 3 Pop-Up | $6.33 |
| Plan B: Option 4 | $6.51 |
Taxes
Paid directly, TRS of Georgia withholds at least 20% for federal tax; an extra 10% IRS penalty may apply under age 59-1/2. You can roll it over to defer tax. Georgia residents also owe Georgia tax on a PLOP. trsga.com, Partial Lump Sum Option Plan (PLOP), Tax Implications
Questions
What is the PLOP?
The Partial Lump-Sum Option. When you retire, you can take 1 to 36 months of your Maximum Plan check as one cash payment. In return, your monthly check is smaller for life.
Who can take a PLOP?
Only members taking a full (normal) service retirement: 30 years of service, or age 60 with 10 years. Not early or disability retirees.
How much does it lower my check?
It depends on your age. Under the Maximum Plan, each $1,000 lowers your check by $6.76 a month at 50, up to $10.33 at 75.
Is the PLOP taxed?
Yes. Paid to you, TRS of Georgia withholds at least 20% for federal tax, and an extra 10% IRS penalty may apply under 59½. You can roll it over to put off the tax. Georgia residents also owe Georgia tax on it.
Source: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia Member's Guide, 06/26, p. 13; Pre-Retirement Handout pp. 3, 4; ACFR FY2026 p. 13; Valuation 6/30/2025 p. 38; trsga.com pages; PLOP brochure. Last reviewed .