Teachers' Fund for Retirement Members

Address/Name Change

Designation of Beneficiary

Retirement Application

Notice of Termination

Authorization of Direct Deposit

Federal Tax Withholding Certificate

ND State Tax Withholding Certificate

Payroll Deduction Authorization for PERS Premiums

Release of Information

If you are employed by a public school or state institution for teaching, supervisory, administrative or extracurricular services and have a teaching license, you are required to participate in the TFFR plan. This section covers:

Tier and Grandfathering Status

Dual Membership

Salary, Contributions and Interest

Beneficiary(ies) and Marriage Dissolution

Service Credit and Vesting

Active TFFR members who meet certain conditions are eligible to purchase service credit to use toward retirement eligibility and benefits. If you are interested in purchasing service credit, contact TFFR for a cost estimate and a projection of retirement benefits with and without purchasing service credit. Please read the Purchasing Service Credit brochure to see the types of service credit that may be purchased and the eligibility requirements. 

Service credit is not eligible for purchase if the years claimed also qualify for retirement benefits from another retirement system (except Military service). Out-of-state, non-public and government agencies must verify years requested and eligibility for retirement benefits. Please use the Verification of Teaching Service Credit form to verify years.

A member who terminates covered employment is eligible for a refund (lump-sum distribution) of the account value. Please read the Refund/Lump Sum Distribution information sheet for waiting periods, tax and membership tier considerations and how to apply for a refund. Please also read the Special Tax Notice required by the IRS to be given to a member prior to refunding the account.

This is what you have all been working so hard for! Your TFFR retirement account provides you with a monthly retirement payment for life or a refund of your account value (see the Withdrawal of Account section above).

Refer to the Fast Facts found above to review the eligibility requirements to begin drawing a monthly retirement benefit. Please also read the important Retirement Guide to see how benefits are calculated, how to apply for retirement benefits, the benefit payment options and employment after retirement. If you wish to begin retirement benefits, please submit the required Retirement Application and applicable documents to the TFFR office. The member handbook has additional retirement information. 

Retirement Benefit Formula

Final average salary (FAS) x 2.0% x service = monthly Single Life Annuity

• Tier 1 members FAS - high 3 fiscal year salaries / 36
• Tier 2 members FAS - high 5 fiscal year salaries / 60

If you become disabled, you may be entitled to monthly disability retirement benefits. Please read the Disability Retirement Benefits information sheet for eligibility requirements, how the benefits are calculated and how to apply for disability benefits.

Should you die before retiring, your beneficiary will have the following options concerning your TFFR account: 

• Non-vested members - Refund of account value
• Vested members - Refund of account value; or Monthly annuity for life (only if one beneficiary is named)

Should you die after retirement, benefits are paid based on the plan selected at retirement. Please see the member handbook for more information.

Reporting A Death

If a member dies, TFFR should be notified promptly at 1-800-952-2970. In all cases, a copy of the member's death certificate is required. If other forms are necessary, they will be provided to the designated beneficiary.

After you retire, you may return to TFFR covered employment under certain employment limitations. Please read the Working After Retirement brochure for details. Each year you teach after retirement, you and your employer need to complete and submit a TFFR Retired Member Employment Notification to the TFFR office.

RIO offers a variety of outreach services to keep you informed about the TFFR pension program including Retirement Education Workshops in the summer and Group Benefit sessions in the fall. Please view Upcoming Events to learn more about scheduled presentations.

Group Benefit Presentations, Fall 2024

• Presentation slides
• Presentation slides with notes
• Recording includes a pension program overview. TFFR's current retirement process, and how retirees can "Return to Work" with a TFFR-covered employer. 

Retirement 101, Fall 2024

• Presentation slides
• Presentation slides with notes

Retirement Education Workshop, July 2024

• Presentation
• Presentation notes slides
• Additional Financial Resources 
  • Horace Mann Retirement Checklist
  • Horace Mann Principles for Investment Success brochure

Retirement Education Workshop, July 2023

• TFFR Program Overview, Chad Roberts and Denise Weeks, RIO
• Legal and Estate Planning, Susan E. Johnson-Drenth, JD Legal Planning
• Financial Planning, Shawn Rehm, Horace Mann
• Health Insurance and PERS Options, Cheryl Coyle, ND Navigators, and Denise Weeks, RIO
• Working After Retirement, Denise Weeks, RIO

Insurance:

• Dental Insurance (NDPERS)
• Vision Insurance (NDPERS)
• Health Insurance - Medicare Eligible (NDPERS)
• Health Insurance - Pre-Medicare

ND Navigators - help to find an affordable health insurance plan

ND State Health Insurance Assistance Program - help with Medicare

Social Security - understanding the benefits

ND Aging & Disability Resource Link - connect to services and supports in your community

Federal Withholding Tax Table