Your Retirement in Focus

Recorded on February 24th, 2025, join us for this Social Security Update.

What is the Social Security Fairness Act? How does it impact individuals filing for or currently receiving Social Security benefits?

Catch this TRS Talks segment as Cindy Lundquist, Social Security expert, answers these questions and provides a Social Security Fairness Act update, discusses other Social Security topics, and more.

The Social Security Fairness A...

Timing is everything, especially when it comes to your retirement! TRS Counseling Team Lead, Monica Castine and TRS New Retirement Operations Manager, Carlos Marshall, will help you understand the process in two time periods: BEFORE and AFTER your retirement application has been submitted.

Monica will prepare you with:

• when to turn in your application
• the benefit of unused sick leave & other sick leave topics
• information ...

Join us for a year-end recap with our Executive Director, Dr. L.C. "Buster" Evans, Ed.D., for an insightful conversation as we delve into the highlights and challenges of 2024.

Topics discussed include:

• How TRS achieved the highest return of all state pension systems in the US.
• Legislative impacts on the system, including proposed and passed bills.
• Addressing teacher shortages in Georgia .
• The number of members who reti...

Estate Plans are not Just for the Rich. Why EVERYONE Needs an Estate Plan feat. Ryan Rasmussen, CFP

What does an estate plan include? Why is it important to start planning now? Through real-life narratives, examples, and facts, Ryan Rasmussen, CFP, takes you through what an estate plan is and why EVERYONE needs to have one. We aren’t all guaranteed a tomorrow and taking control of the “What Ifs” in life can help protect your assets...

What do marriage, divorce, kids, hobbies, and income streams have in common? They all have an impact on your happiness! Join us as we revisit this insightful episode on retirement with Wes Moss, a seasoned financial professional, best-selling author, broadcaster, and teacher.

Highlights include:

• The top 3 financial habits of the happiest retirees and the research behind it
• How much money happy retirees have saved for retire...

Emphasizing the financial challenges and opportunities educators face, podcast guest, Yahrasiel Colbert, Ed.S., leverages over 27 years of multidisciplinary expertise to help people build confidence in their financial independence. Yahrasiel is an educator, works as a consultant, and has authored a financial journal. During this episode, she provides resources for creating realistic budgets and achievable financial goals.

Host: Ev...

Light the fire, pour the hot cocoa, and grab your headphones! This end-of-year special from the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia dives deep into the triumphs, challenges, and fascinating facts that marked 2023 for TRS.

Host: Everett Crockett

Guest: Dr. L.C. (Buster) Evans, Executive Director of Teachers Retirement System of GA

Join us as we:

• Discuss market performance to member milestones.
• Get the scoop on HB 385 and ho...

All healthcare is not the same. Louis Amis, Executive Director of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) discusses the importance of understanding your health, being realistic about your finances for emergencies, learning about preventative exams, and being aware of common healthcare mistakes so you can make the best decisions! During this episode, he also talks about the SHBP structure, changes to what is being offered, and informat...

Former teacher, author, and returning podcast guest, Danny Kofke, discusses how to take control of your money using simplified and practical tactics. Through his path in teaching, financial education, writing, and TV guest appearances, Danny has learned that you can’t run a marathon in 30 days. It takes consistency and a personalized approach to build your financial margins…and you can do it too! Danny discusses the “messy middle”,...

The Georgia Retired Educators Association (GREA) has over 32,000 members and advocates for and amplifies the voice of retired educators in Georgia. Dr. Sloan, GREA Executive Director, and 2022-23 President Dr. Henrietta Gray, discuss what sparks their passion for education, the rewards of being a TRS member (including your pension!), and the benefits of being involved with the GREA (fellowship, community, insurance and travel benef...

Join us in a republish of a previous episode to help you get prepared for your retirement.

Are you considering retiring this year?  Have you met with one of our counselors or received an estimate of your retirement benefits?  These are just a couple of the topics that are discussed in this episode.  Carlos Marshall, New Retirement Manager, and Winston Buckley, Communications Director, give best practices to ensure you receive the n...

TRS podcast host, Everett Crockett talks to Wes Moss, a seasoned financial professional, best-selling author, broadcaster, and teacher. Wes discusses the top 3 financial habits of the happiest retirees and much more! How do events such as marriage, divorce, kids, location, hobbies, and income streams impact your happiness? Money + Health + Connectedness = A happy lifestyle! Join in on our conversation with Wes Moss, author of What ...

Are you considering retiring this year?  Have you met with one of our counselors or received an estimate of your retirement benefits?  These are just a couple of the topics that are discussed in this replay of one our episodes from the TRS Vault.

Get out your pen and pad and get ready to take notes as Everett Crockett goes over the plan options and important information for you as you prepare for the application process.

...

2022 has been a year for the record books for TRS. This has been the 1st full calendar year since the pandemic's beginning that our Atlanta and Macon offices have been open to the public.  Our daily operations have not ceased, yet many processes have transformed from how they were years ago.  Not to mention, TRS has added several improvements to become both more efficient and productive.  Join us as we hear from Dr. ...

In the fall, open enrollment season causes members to reflect on what benefits they currently have and what they will probably need during the upcoming year.  Sonya Kinley, Chief Human Resources Officer at TRS, gives us some great tips on what to consider during this time of the year.  She even offers some advice for newly hired human resources professionals to become more effective in their roles.  Additionally, dur...

Did you know that certain retirees can come back to work in a full-time capacity and continue to receive their retirement benefit at the same time?  Well, House Bill 385 allows this type of employment for retirees with 30 or more years of service.  During this episode, we discuss the main provisions of the bill, eligibility, rules, and even some investment decisions you should consider.

If you haven't had the chance to me...

Are you considering retiring this year and have questions about working in retirement?  Or are you already a TRS retiree and have had thoughts about your investment strategy in retirement?  Well, you have tuned in to the right episode!  Dale Alexander has returned to share some information about investing as a retiree and we also revisited our Return To Work episode number 6 which covers details about working as a TRS retiree.

If yo...

Are you considering retiring this year?  Have you met with one of our counselors or received an estimate of your retirement benefits?  These are just a couple of the topics that are discussed in this replay of one our episodes from the TRS Vault.  

Get out your pen and pad and get ready to take notes as Everett Crockett goes over the plan options and important information for you as you prepare for the application pr...

Are you considering retiring this year?  Have you met with one of our counselors or received an estimate of your retirement benefits?  These are just a couple of the topics that are discussed in this episode.  Carlos Marshall, New Retirement Manager, and Winston Buckley, Communications Director, give best practices to ensure you receive the necessary information to make the application process as easy as possible for...