Tennessee teachers get TCRS and Social Security

Do Tennessee teachers get Social Security?

Short answer: yes. Tennessee teachers in TCRS pay into Social Security through their jobs, so they can collect it once eligible, and the TCRS pension isn't reduced or affected in any way by a Social Security benefit. The two simply add up. Retirement Checklist p. 3, For social security benefits

Your TCRS check comes from the TCRS formula; your Social Security check comes from the Social Security Administration, based on your own earnings record. To see the TCRS side, try the Legacy guide's age-60, 30-year example in the calculator.

How they fit together

TCRS members pay into Social Security, and the TCRS benefit is not reduced or affected by a Social Security benefit. The Social Security Leveling option shifts some TCRS income to before 62. Retirees in a return-to-work program do not have the Social Security part of FICA withheld from those wages. Retirement Checklist p. 3 (PDF page), For social security benefits; Legacy Member Guide p. 10; Return to Work Requirements p. 3, FICA Withholdings

Social Security benefits are managed by the Social Security Administration, not TCRS. TCRS suggests requesting a Social Security benefit estimate and applying through SSA.gov when you're eligible and want the benefit to start. Retirement Checklist p. 3 (PDF page), For social security benefits

What is the Social Security Leveling option?

Social Security Leveling Option: Higher benefit before 62, then reduced at 62 for life. Requires a Social Security estimate. Legacy Member Guide p. 10; Retirement application guide p. 9-10

The Social Security Leveling Option's increase before 62 and its reduction after 62 are designed to equal the full amount you're eligible to receive from Social Security at 62. The lower amount after 62 is permanent. Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 11; Retirement application guide p. 10 It's a single-life option: like Member Only, there's no monthly benefit for a survivor. TCRS's documents describe the size of the shift a little differently, and it doesn't publish the factor, so your TCRS benefit estimate shows the real amounts. Compare it with the others on payment options.

Going back to work after you retire

If you retire, then come back to an approved return-to-work job, the Social Security part of FICA is not taken from those wages, but Medicare (1.45%) still is. Return to Work Requirements p. 3, FICA Withholdings

If you chose Social Security Leveling and later return to a regular TCRS-covered job, you must repay the leveling supplement before TCRS will recalculate your benefit. Return to Work Requirements p. 3 The programs and their limits are on working after retirement.

The integration level isn't Social Security

The Legacy formula's Social Security integration level isn't a Social Security benefit. It's a pay level above which Legacy pays a higher rate (1.5% below it). Most teachers' averages are under it. See the formula.

Disability benefits

Legacy members who joined before July 1, 1997 and get accidental disability benefits must apply for Social Security; their TCRS benefit drops at 62 or when Social Security starts. Members who joined after June 30, 1997 don't have to apply. Legacy Member Guide p. 9

What the TCRS sources don't cover

The TCRS documents don't estimate your Social Security benefit or discuss spousal and survivor Social Security rules. For those, use your Social Security statement or ask SSA.

Questions