Manage your life changes
A TRA member who becomes unable to work due to a disability may qualify for a disability benefit. Learn about eligibility requirements, how benefits are calculated, and the steps to apply.
If you have, or are going through a divorce, your spouse may have an interest in your TRA benefit. Learn about Minnesota law and how TRA handles divorce decrees.
Learn how retiring before full retirement age impacts your monthly benefit amount.
Learn if you may purchase credit for missing service or salary during your career.
Learn about transitioning into retirement with part-time employment.
If someone acts on your behalf, share your power of attorney information with TRA. Learn how to submit a power of attorney or revoke an existing one.
Carefully consider whether applying for a refund is right for you.
Read about the options available to extend your TRA benefit to a designated survivor should you die before them.
FAQs – Active members
To protect your personal and financial information, certain member tasks can be completed only by signing in to your myTRA account or by contacting the Teachers Retirement Association of Minnesota (TRA).
You can generate an unofficial retirement benefit estimate using the online myTRA calculator. Estimates may be created for any age or life stage.
Before starting, review TRA annuity plans. You will need:
- A projected retirement date
- Your beneficiary’s date of birth
Your service credit and salary history are automatically included. Estimates are saved in your myTRA account for future reference.
The process depends on your marital status.
- Married members: Call TRA to request the Pre-Retirement Death Benefits for Married Members form. You and your spouse may jointly waive the spouse benefit so a person, trust, or organization receives a lump-sum death benefit equal to your accumulated deductions plus interest through the date of death.
- Single members: Contact TRA to request the Pre-Retirement Death Benefits for Single Members form.
You can change your physical or email address by signing in to your myTRA account.
Your record may include:
- A permanent address
- A temporary address with a start and end date
You may also change your address by calling TRA or by mailing or faxing a written request.
If your name changes due to marriage, divorce, or another reason, call TRA. After TRA verifies your identity, your name will be updated in the system.
Annual benefit statements for the past five fiscal years are available in your myTRA account.
Statements are finalized after employers report payroll for the fiscal year, typically by August 31.
If you need a statement from an earlier fiscal year or want a copy mailed to you, contact TRA.
Notify TRA as soon as possible following the death of a member.
When you call, have the member’s Social Security number or TRA number available. TRA will request:
- A certified death certificate
- A marriage certificate for a surviving spouse, if applicable
- Birth certificates for beneficiaries
Copies will be made, and original documents will be returned. TRA may request additional name-change documentation.
