Member education
The Teachers Retirement Association offers benefits planning services to help members understand their TRA benefits. These services are available through individual counseling appointments, virtual group info sessions, and in-person workshops designed for participants at various points in their careers.
Schedule a benefits planning session
Advance registration is required for all TRA sessions. You may register for a virtual or in-person benefits planning session by signing in to your myTRA account or by calling 800-657-3669.
Benefits planning sessions are typically scheduled up to six weeks in advance. When registering, be prepared to provide:
- Your projected retirement date
- Your marital status
- The birthdate and relationship of any optional beneficiary you are considering
- Information about service in any other Minnesota public pension plans
If you do not yet have a myTRA account, create one before your session. Many planning materials, including benefit estimates, are delivered through your online account.
To register for myTRA you will be directed to ID.me, a third-party identity verification service. You will need:
- A government-issued photo ID
- Access to a device with a camera to complete identity verification
Individual benefits planning appointments provide confidential, one-on-one support with a TRA benefits counselor. Benefit estimates are prepared before your appointment and are available on your myTRA account or sent via U.S. mail.
Individual sessions may cover:
- Your personalized TRA benefit estimates
- Pre- and postretirement beneficiary options, including how to provide a lifetime benefit to a beneficiary
- Available options for purchasing service credit
- Concurrent retirement, including retiring from more than one Minnesota public retirement system
- Retirement application timelines and procedures
TRA offers virtual and in-person group events throughout the year to support members at all stages of their careers.
TRA Pension Basics (approximately 45 minutes)
These sessions are open to all TRA members and provide an overview of the defined benefit plan, including how benefits are earned and calculated.
Preparing for Retirement (approximately 60 minutes)
Designed for members planning to retire within the next five to 10 years, these sessions provide guidance on retirement readiness and key considerations before applying for benefits.
Ready to Retire (approximately 90 minutes)
Open to members who plan to retire within one year, these workshops walk through the retirement application process and what to expect before and after retirement.