Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 167a - Teachers' Retirement System
Section 10-183g. - Benefit rates. Commencing and ending dates.

(a) Normal retirement. The normal retirement benefit shall be two per cent times the number of years of full-time credited service and a proportional fraction of two per cent times the number of years of credited service at less than full-time multiplied by average annual salary. In no event, however, shall such benefit exceed seventy-five per cent of such salary or be less than three thousand six hundred dollars.

(b) Proratable retirement. The proratable retirement benefit shall be computed as follows: Average annual salary multiplied by (1) number of years of credited service, excluding all additional credited service, except service described in subdivisions (3), (8) and (10) of subsection (b) of section 10-183e, multiplied by the applicable percentage based on age and service as determined from the table below, and (2) number of years of all additional credited service not used in subdivision (1) of this subsection multiplied by one per cent.


(c) Early retirement. The early retirement benefit shall be computed in the same manner as the normal retirement benefit, then actuarially reduced, on the basis of early retirement tables adopted from time to time by the board, for each month early retirement precedes the minimum age at which the member could have retired with a normal retirement benefit. Such minimum age shall be such member's actual age at retirement plus the lesser of (1) the difference between such age and age sixty, or (2) the difference between thirty-five years and the sum of such member's years of Connecticut public school service plus all purchased leaves of absence, military and out-of-state public school service. On and after July 1, 1999, any revisions to the early retirement tables shall be submitted to the Office of Policy and Management and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies within one month of their adoption by the board. Any such revisions shall be accompanied by an actuarial certification of the costs associated with such revisions.
(d) Deferred vested retirement. The deferred vested retirement benefit shall be computed as follows: Average annual salary multiplied by (1) number of years of credited service, excluding all additional credited service, except service described in subdivisions (3), (8) and (10) of subsection (b) of section 10-183e, multiplied by two per cent, then actuarially reduced in the same manner as the early retirement benefit if the years of service which could have been rendered were less than twenty years by age sixty or by the subsequent date of retirement, and (2) number of years of all additional credited service not used in subdivision (1) of this subsection multiplied by one per cent.
(e) Disability retirement. Repealed by P.A. 79-541, S. 5, 6.
(f) Lump sum payment or annuity. In addition to a retirement benefit computed under subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section and under subsections (a) to (g), inclusive, of section 10-183aa, a member shall receive a lump sum payment equal to the member's accumulated one per cent contributions withheld prior to July 1, 1989, with credited interest. In lieu of such lump sum, the member may elect to receive an actuarially equivalent annuity for life. Such lump sum or annuity shall be paid, or commenced to be paid, when the first payment of the other retirement benefit is made.
(g) Commencing date for payment. A member's complete formal application for retirement, if sent by mail, shall be deemed to have been filed with the board on the date such application is postmarked. No benefit computed under subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section and under subsections (a) to (g), inclusive, of section 10-183aa shall become effective until the end of the calendar month of the filing by the member with the board of a complete formal application for retirement. Such benefit shall accrue from the first day of the month following such calendar month and payment of such benefit in equal monthly installments shall commence on the last day of the month in which such benefit begins to accrue. The initial payment of such benefit may be made not later than three months following the effective date of retirement, provided such payment shall be retroactive to such effective date. Upon a finding that extenuating circumstances relating to the health of a member caused a delay in the filing of the member's complete formal application, and such application is filed on or after July 1, 1986, the board may deem such application to have been filed up to three months earlier than the actual date of the filing. Upon a finding that extenuating circumstances related to the health of a member caused a delay in the filing of an election pursuant to subsection (g) of section 10-183aa, and such election is filed on or after July 1, 1986, the board may deem such election to have been filed as of the date such member's benefits would otherwise have been converted to a normal retirement allowance, provided such member's disability allowance became effective on or before November 1, 1976, and such member attained the age of sixty on or after August 1, 1984.
(h) Termination at death of member. (1) A benefit computed under subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section and under subsections (a) to (g), inclusive, of section 10-183aa shall continue until the death of the member.
(2) For any member who accumulates ten years of credited service in the public schools of Connecticut prior to July 1, 2019, the member's designated beneficiary shall be paid on the death of the member a lump sum amount equal to the sum of such member's accumulated regular contributions, including any one per cent contributions withheld prior to July 1, 1989, and any voluntary contributions plus credited interest that had been accrued to the date benefits commenced, less an amount equal to twenty-five per cent of the aggregate benefits paid to such member prior to death.
(3) For any member who accumulates ten years of credited service in the public schools of Connecticut on or after July 1, 2019, the member's designated beneficiary shall be paid on the death of the member a lump sum amount equal to the sum of such member's accumulated regular contributions, including any one per cent contributions withheld prior to July 1, 1989, and any voluntary contributions plus credited interest that had been accrued to the date benefits commenced, less an amount equal to fifty per cent of the aggregate benefits paid to such member prior to death.
(i) Elections of options. In lieu of a benefit computed under subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section and under subsections (a) to (g), inclusive, of section 10-183aa, a member may elect one of the options described in section 10-183j or any other actuarially equivalent option which the board may offer from time to time.
(j) Cost of living allowance for members retiring prior to September 1, 1992. Beginning the first day of January or July which follows nine months in retirement, a retired member who retired prior to September 1, 1992, or a member's successor beneficiary, except a person receiving survivor's benefits, shall be eligible for an annual five per cent cost of living allowance on any benefit except a benefit based upon such member's one per cent contributions or voluntary contributions. Such cost of living allowance shall be computed on the basis of the retirement benefits to which such retired member or successor beneficiary was entitled on the last day of the preceding December or June except benefits based upon one per cent or voluntary contributions. Such member's successor beneficiary means any person, other than such member, receiving benefits as the result of the election of a period certain option or a coparticipant option, including an election for such an option by a surviving spouse under subsection (d) of section 10-183h. The right to such allowance, or any portion thereof, may be waived by the person entitled thereto at any time. Any waiver shall remain in effect until the first day of the month following such person's death or the filing with the board of a written notice of cancellation of the waiver. Any allowance waived shall be forever forfeited. If on any subsequent first day of January or July the Teacher's Retirement Board determines that the National Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the preceding November or May has increased less than the cost of living allowance provided under this subsection, the cost of living allowance provided by this subsection shall be adjusted to reflect the change in such index provided such cost of living allowance shall not be less than three per cent.
(k) Cost of living allowance for members retiring on or after September 1, 1992. Beginning the first day of January or July which follows nine months in retirement, a retired member who retired on or after September 1, 1992, or a member's successor beneficiary, except a person receiving survivor's benefits, shall be eligible for an annual cost of living allowance calculated in accordance with the provisions of subsections (l) or (m) of this section on any benefit except a benefit based upon such member's one per cent contributions or voluntary contributions. Such cost of living allowance shall be computed on the basis of the retirement benefits to which such retired member or successor beneficiary was entitled on the last day of the preceding December or June except benefits based upon one per cent or voluntary contributions. Such member's successor beneficiary means any person, other than such member, receiving benefits as the result of the election of a period certain option or a coparticipant option, including an election for such an option by a surviving spouse under subsection (d) of section 10-183h. The right to such allowance, or any portion thereof, may be waived by the person entitled thereto at any time. Any waiver shall remain in effect until the first day of the month following such person's death or the filing with the board of a written notice of cancellation of the waiver. Any allowance waived shall be forever forfeited.
(l) Calculation of living allowance. (1) Beginning the first day of January or July which follows nine months in retirement, a retired member who retired on or after September 1, 1992, or a member's successor beneficiary, except a person receiving survivor's benefits, shall be eligible for an annual cost of living allowance. The cost of living allowance shall be calculated by using the percentage cost of living adjustment granted by the Social Security Administration for the applicable year, computed on the basis of the retirement benefits to which such retired member or successor beneficiary was entitled on the last day of the preceding December or June except benefits based upon one per cent or voluntary contributions, provided no cost of living allowance shall exceed six per cent and provided further, if the total return earned by the trustees on the market value of the pension assets for the preceding fiscal year is less than six and nine-tenths per cent, any cost of living allowance granted shall not exceed one and one-half per cent.
(2) A member entering the retirement system commencing on or after July 1, 2007, or such member's successor beneficiary, except a person receiving survivor's benefits, shall, beginning the first day of January or July that follows nine months in retirement, be eligible for an annual cost of living allowance as follows: The cost of living allowance shall be calculated by using the percentage cost of living adjustment granted by the Social Security Administration for the applicable year, computed on the basis of the retirement benefits to which such retired member or successor beneficiary was entitled on the last day of the preceding December or June, as applicable, except benefits based upon one per cent or voluntary contributions, provided (A) no cost of living allowance shall exceed five per cent, and (B) if the total return earned by the trustees on the market value of the pension assets for the preceding fiscal year is less than six and nine-tenths per cent, any cost of living allowance granted shall not exceed one per cent, if such total return for the preceding fiscal year is greater than six and nine-tenths per cent but less than nine and nine-tenths per cent, any cost of living allowance granted shall not exceed three per cent, and if such return exceeds nine and nine-tenths per cent, any cost of living allowance granted shall not exceed five per cent.
(m) Proportionate reduction of cost of living allowance. Repealed by P.A. 07-186, S. 14.
(n) Cost of living adjustment reserve account. Repealed by P.A. 07-186, S. 14.
(o) Single increase in benefits on January 1, 1988. On January 1, 1988, each eligible retired member who had rendered at least twenty-five years of full-time service prior to normal retirement under the provisions of subsection (a) of section 10-183f, or such member's successor beneficiary, as defined in subsection (j) of this section, shall receive a single increase in retirement benefits provided under this chapter. Such increase shall be paid to such eligible members or successor beneficiaries whose monthly benefit as of December 31, 1987, before any reduction for an optional benefit payment plan, is less than eight hundred dollars, and shall be sufficient to increase such monthly benefit to eight hundred dollars.
(p) Single increase in benefits on January 1, 1991. On January 1, 1991, each eligible retired member who had rendered at least twenty-five years of full-time service at least twenty years of which were service in the public schools of Connecticut prior to early retirement before January 1, 1976, under the provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-183f, or such member's successor beneficiary, as defined in subsection (j) of this section, shall receive a single increase in retirement benefits provided under this chapter. Such increase shall be paid to such eligible members or successor beneficiaries whose monthly benefit as of December 31, 1990, before any reduction for an optional benefit payment plan, is less than eight hundred dollars, and shall be sufficient to increase such monthly benefit to eight hundred dollars.
(q) Single increase in benefits on January 1, 1999. On January 1, 1999, each eligible retired member who had rendered at least twenty-five years of full-time service, or such member's successor beneficiary, as defined in subsection (j) of this section, shall receive a single increase in benefits provided under this chapter. Such increase shall be sufficient to increase the monthly benefit of such eligible members or successor beneficiaries, whose monthly benefit as of December 31, 1998, before any actuarial reduction for early retirement or for an optional benefit payment plan, is less than twelve hundred dollars and shall be sufficient to increase such monthly benefit to twelve hundred dollars.
(r) Benefit limit and increase. No retirement benefit payable under this chapter shall exceed the maximum dollar limit in effect under Section 415(b) of the Internal Revenue Code for the applicable limitation year, as increased in subsequent years pursuant to Section 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. A subsequent annual increase shall apply to a member if the increase becomes effective after the member retires or, if such increase becomes effective before a member retires, after the date on which such benefit begins to accrue.
(P.A. 78-208, S. 6, 35; 78-228, S. 3, 8; P.A. 79-459, S. 2; 79-541, S. 5, 6; 79-625, S. 3, 6; P.A. 80-282; 80-303; 80-408, S. 2; P.A. 81-290; P.A. 82-91, S. 5, 38; P.A. 84-451, S. 1; P.A. 87-381, S. 1; P.A. 89-207, S. 2; 89-342, S. 2, 5; P.A. 90-308, S. 1, 15; P.A. 92-205, S. 8, 12; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-14, S. 1, 11; P.A. 94-159, S. 1, 2; P.A. 98-251, S. 2, 7; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-1, S. 48, 51; P.A. 00-187, S. 67, 75; P.A. 03-232, S. 3, 4, 8; P.A. 06-190, S. 3; P.A. 07-186, S. 10, 14; P.A. 08-76, S. 3, 4; P.A. 09-43, S. 1; P.A. 19-117, S. 87; P.A. 21-178, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 314.)
History: P.A. 78-228 amended Subsec. (j) raising cost of living allowance from 3% to 5%, establishing basis of computation and allowing adjustments based on National Consumer Price Index; P.A. 79-459 amended Subsec. (g) to establish filing date of application as date postmarked when application sent by mail; P.A. 79-541 repealed Subsec. (e) re disability retirement; P.A. 79-625, in Subsec. (d), replaced method of computation of deferred vested retirement benefit, i.e. “in the same manner as the early retirement benefit”, with complex formula; P.A. 80-282 deleted reference to repealed Subsec. (e) and included reference to Sec. 10-183aa(a) to (g) in Subsecs. (f) to (i), inclusive; P.A. 80-303 amended Subsec. (a) to distinguish between full and part-time credited service; P.A. 80-408 amended Subsec. (c) to delete “wartime” with reference to military service; P.A. 81-290 made minor changes in wording of Subsec. (g); P.A. 82-91 added Subsec. (k) to provide a single increase in retirement benefits commencing January 1, 1983: Percentage increases range from 25% for members retired on or before December 31, 1954, to 2% for members retired on or after January 1, 1971, and before January 1, 1976; P.A. 84-451 amended Subsec. (j) to change consumer price index figures used on first day of January and July for cost of living allowance adjustments from “previous twelve-month period” to “twelve-month period ending on the last day of the preceding November or May”; P.A. 87-381 amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) to include substitute teaching service in computation of proratable and deferred vested retirement benefit; added provision in Subsec. (g) authorizing board to deem retirement application to have been filed up to three months earlier than actual filing date upon finding of filing delay caused by health reasons; repealed provisions in Subsec. (k) re single increase in benefits commencing January 1, 1983, and substituted provisions re increase in benefits commencing January 1, 1988; P.A. 89-207 amended Subsec. (a) to make amount of benefit subject to limits mandated by Sec. 415 of the Internal Revenue Code; P.A. 89-342 amended Subsec. (f) to limit use of accumulated 1% contributions for lump sum payment to contributions withheld prior to July 1, 1989; P.A. 90-308 added Subsec. (l) re single increase in benefits effective January 1, 1991; P.A. 92-205 amended Subsec. (j) to limit applicability of cost of living allowance provisions to members who retired prior to September 1, 1992, inserted new Subsecs. (k), (l), (m) and (n) re cost of living allowance for members retiring on or after September 1, 1992, and relettered existing Subsecs. (k) and (l) accordingly; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-14 changed effective date of P.A. 92-205 but did not affect the date applicable to this section; P.A. 94-159 amended Subsecs. (l) and (m) to change basis for calculation of cost of living allowance from return earned on market value of pension assets for preceding “calendar” year to return earned for preceding “fiscal” year and amended Subsec. (n) to change basis for calculation of amount credited to excess earning account for calendar years commencing on and after January 1, 1995, from “calendar” to “fiscal” year, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 98-251 added new Subsec. (q) re single increase in benefits, effective June 8, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-1 amended Subsec. (c) to require submittal of revisions to early retirement tables and actuarial certification, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 00-187 amended Subsec. (g) to add provision re finding that extenuating circumstances relating to the health of a member caused delay in the filing of an election under Sec. 10-183aa(g), effective July 1, 2000; (Revisor's note: In 2003 a reference in Subsec. (q) to “chapter 167a” was changed editorially by the revisors to “this chapter”); P.A. 03-232 made a technical change in Subsecs. (b) and (d), amended Subsec. (h) to substitute “member” for “retired member”, to change 5% contributions to “regular contributions, including any 1% contributions withheld prior to July 1, 1989, and any voluntary contributions”, and to add “that had been accrued to the date benefits commenced” following “plus credited interest” and amended Subsecs. (m) and (n) to change the name of the “excess earnings account” to the “cost of living adjustment reserve account”, effective July 1, 2003; P.A. 06-190 amended Subsec. (g) to authorize initial benefit payment to be made not later than three months following retirement effective date, and to require such payment to be retroactive to such date, effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 07-186 amended Subsec. (l) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1), delete provision therein re annual cost of living allowance contingent upon actuarial certification that sufficient funds are available, and add Subdiv. (2) re cost of living allowance, and repealed Subsecs. (m) and (n), effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 08-76 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate reference to limits mandated by Sec. 415 of the Internal Revenue Code and added Subsec. (r) re maximum dollar amount of retirement benefit to be paid under chapter, effective May 27, 2008; P.A. 09-43 amended Subsec. (l)(2) by changing “one per cent of voluntary contributions” to “one per cent or voluntary contributions”, effective May 20, 2009; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (h) by designating existing provisions re continuation of benefit computed under Subsecs. (a) to (d) of this section and under Subsecs. (a) to (g) of Sec. 10-183aaa until death of member as Subdiv. (1), designating existing provisions re payment of lump sum amount to member's designated beneficiary as Subdiv. (2) and amended same to add “For any member who retires prior to July 1, 2019”, adding Subdiv. (3) re calculation of lump sum payment to beneficiary of member who retires on or after July 1, 2019, and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 21-178 amended Subsec. (l) to change total return earned on market value of pension assets for previous fiscal year from 8.5 per cent to 6.9 per cent and from 11.5 per cent to 9.9 per cent, effective July 1, 2021; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsecs. (h)(2) and (h)(3) by replacing “retires” with “accumulates ten years of credited service in the public schools of Connecticut” and changing calculation of lump sum death benefit payments to designated beneficiaries, effective June 23, 2021.

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