1/29/10

Note about 2010 Annuity Payments
January annuity payments reflect the new 2010 tax withholding tables. If you would like to change your withholding election, please complete the W-4P Withholding Certificate for Pension (pdf) and fax to 512-476-5576 or mail to TMRS, P.O. Box 149153, Austin, TX 78714-9153.

1/15/10

End-of-Year Tax Information for Retirees
1099-Rs will be mailed next week — The 1099-R form that you will need for reporting your retirement income will be sent in two batches, on January 20 and January 23. If you do not receive your 1099-R form by the end of January, contact TMRS at 800-924-8677.

Information about the HELPS provision — For retirees who are using the federal HELPS provision, letters are being mailed today with instructions for how to claim this deduction on your tax return (download instructions). Our new HELPS flyer is also available for download.

12/11/09

Cleaning Up City Contacts
We mailed a letter and an update form today to all TMRS City Correspondents. We are asking cities to please return the forms as quickly as possible. The purpose of the form is to update the list of “authorized contacts” that we have on file for our member cities (including names, e-mail addresses, phone and fax numbers). If any City Correspondent hasn’t received the Contact Update letter and form by December 18, please call TMRS at 800.924.8677. Please update the information and e-mail, fax, or mail it back to TMRS ― before the end of the year at the latest. Thank you for helping us update these important records!

11/2/09

Updating Member Addresses
In an ongoing effort to maintain correct addresses for members, we have sent out letters to cities whose contributing members have incorrect addresses. Over 400 cities have been included in the mailing. We are asking cities' help in getting the member addresses updated. Please have the members complete the TMRS-CHNG form and fax to 512-476-5576 or mail to TMRS, PO Box 149153, Austin, TX 78714-1953. Please contact our office at 800-924-8677 if you have any questions.

10/8/09

Annual Training Seminar Presentations
The 2009 Annual Training Seminar was held October 4 - 6 at the Hilton Arlington. Approximately 140 city representatives and 88 different cities attended. The seminar presentations and program are posted on the Training page and the Seminar page.

10/1/09

Member Interest Credit for 2009 will be 5%
In past years, the Board of Trustees determined an annual interest credit rate for members and cities at its September meeting. Under HB 360, passed in the last session of the Texas Legislature, members will receive an annual interest credit of 5% on December 31, 2009. The city interest allocation will be determined by the Board of Trustees in February 2010 after taking into account the System’s 2009 net investment income.

8/13/09

Online Retirement Estimate Calculator Now Available. 
City employees may now create their own retirement estimates using a self-service calculator on the TMRS website. If you haven’t yet registered your account on the new MyTMRS, you may now register completely online, and within minutes you will be ready to use the new feature. To access the online calculator, you must first sign in to MyTMRS. After signing in, choose "Retirement Estimate" from the pulldown menu. Click on the “Request new estimate” link and enter a future retirement date. An estimate will then be displayed showing the various annuity and PLSD options. You can run as many estimates as you wish, for any month after you become eligible to retire. You will also be able to redisplay the last 10 estimates you have run for yourself during the past 60 days.