Can you get TFFR and Social Security?
Yes, you may. The TFFR handbook says retired members may be eligible to receive both a TFFR retirement benefit and a Social Security benefit, and sends questions and exceptions to the Social Security Administration. It says nothing about any reduction of your TFFR benefit for Social Security, and nothing more on the topic.
We don't estimate Social Security benefits on this site. What the other RIO sources and North Dakota's tax booklet add is below: an old payment option tied to Social Security that no longer exists, how the state taxes Social Security, and where Social Security comes up for retiree health insurance and disability.
From the sources
- Retired members may be eligible for both TFFR and Social Security; RIO refers questions to the Social Security Administration.Handbook p. 26, Social Security
- TFFR used to offer a Level Income Option that paid more until Social Security age and then cut the TFFR benefit by your estimated Social Security amount. It was eliminated by House Bill 1219 (2023), and its rule was repealed effective April 1, 2024. RIO's 2023 Retirement Guide still describes it; the 2026 handbook doesn't list it.NDAC 82-05-02-03; Valuation (2026) p. 43, 2023 Legislative Session item 1; Retirement Guide (2023) pp. 10-11, Level Income Option
- On your North Dakota return, the taxable part of your Social Security benefits is subtracted on Form ND-1 (line 15). The booklet lists no such subtraction for a TFFR pension.ND 2025 income tax booklet pp. 12-13, Form ND-1 Line 15
- For a TFFR disability retirement, written proof that you're eligible for Social Security disability benefits takes the place of the medical examination form, and the application asks for an approved Social Security Disability document if you have one.Handbook p. 31, Disability Retirement, How to Apply
- Medicare: TFFR retirees can join NDPERS group health insurance only once they're Medicare-eligible, and within 31 days of becoming Medicare-eligible a TFFR benefit recipient may also be able to enroll in non-NDPERS retiree plans.Handbook p. 25, PERS Group Insurance; Benefit presentation PDF p. 29, Health Insurance After Retirement
What to do
- Ask the Social Security Administration for your own estimate and any exceptions that apply to you.
- Pick from the payment options TFFR offers now; ignore the Level Income Option in older guides.
- For how your TFFR pension itself is taxed, see taxes on a TFFR pension.
Questions
Can I get TFFR and Social Security?
The TFFR handbook says retired members may be eligible for both a TFFR benefit and Social Security, and refers questions and exceptions to the Social Security Administration.
How much Social Security will I get?
Only the Social Security Administration can tell you. The TFFR handbook doesn't say anything more about it, and neither do we.
Does TFFR still have a Level Income Option?
No. It was eliminated by House Bill 1219 (2023), and its rule was repealed effective April 1, 2024. Older RIO guides still describe it.
Does North Dakota tax Social Security?
The 2025 North Dakota tax booklet has you subtract the taxable part of your Social Security benefits on Form ND-1. It lists no such subtraction for a TFFR pension.
Source: Teachers' Fund for Retirement Member Handbook, 5/7/2026, pp. 25, 26, 31. Also: Valuation (2026); Retirement Guide (2023); ND 2025 income tax booklet; Benefit presentation (Fall 2025); NDAC 82-05-02-03. Last reviewed .