First payment
State law requires TRA to pay benefits during the first week of the month.
TRA accepts retirement application forms and supporting documents up to 180 days before your retirement date. If TRA receives the required retirement forms and supporting information on time, you should receive your first retirement check within 30 to 60 days of your retirement effective date.
Due to the large number of educators who retire at the end of the school year, the processing of summer retirement applications may take longer. The first payment includes retroactive retirement benefits from your retirement date.
Direct deposit enrollment
To create or adjust your direct deposit designation, the easiest method is to sign in to myTRA. Update your direct deposit information online, or download the Direct Deposit Agreement by selecting Forms, then Online Forms Directory. Return the completed form to TRA by mail, fax, or through the myTRA document upload portal.
Deposits to the new account may take up to two months to process, depending on when we receive your updated information. Contact TRA for assistance.
Schedule
TRA deposits benefit payments on the first business day of the month. If the first day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the payment is made the next business day, though each financial institution has its own internal processes and timelines for posting deposits to members’ bank accounts. Checks are issued the first week of the month.
Direct deposit schedule for 2026
- Friday, January 2
- Monday, February 2
- Monday, March 2
- Wednesday, April 1
- Friday, May 1
- Monday, June 1
- Wednesday, July 1
- Monday, August 3
- Tuesday, September 1
- Thursday, October 1
- Monday, November 2
- Tuesday, December 1
