Can State Employees Borrow from their Retirement?
02 Oct - Posted at 13:44h in Retirement Planning
As a teacher, you may be wondering, “Can I borrow from my TRS?” Borrowing money from your teacher retirement system (TRS) is not ideal. But, if you find yourself in a pinch, and need money fast, it may be the only option.
At Appreciation Financial, we want to make sure you understand your options, and the potential long-term cost of borrowing from your retirement funds.
Can I Borrow From My TRS?
The short answer is it depends on where you live. Many states, like Georgia, Texas, and Illinois do not allow you to borrow from your TRS account. New York, on the other hand, allows you to borrow up to 75% of your personal TRS contributions. If you leave teaching before you retire, you may withdraw your personal contributions.
If your teacher pension includes a 1. How much money do I need?
You will only be able to borrow up to 50% of your vested contributions from your state pension. This comes with a maximum amount of $50,000. If you are needing a loan for some small emergency, this may be a good way to access the funds. You will not be able to borrow from your 403(b) to buy a house, but you could borrow from it to make a down payment. The impact on your retirement savings is two-fold when taking a loan. You are reducing your retirement savings by the principal amount of the loan. Additionally, in this scenario, your retirement savings is now smaller, which means your growth is slower. This can have a big overall impact on your retirement funds. One way you can help to overcome this is by paying the loan back as quickly as fiscally possible. This will help ensure that you are able to get back on track and do not lose as much in the long run. If you pay your loan back within the designated time frame, the only fees you will face are the administrative fees for disbursing the loan. If you fail to pay back the total amount in time, you'll face income taxes and an early withdrawal penalty of 10%. There is an exception, however. If you are 59-½ and still working, you will not incur the 10% penalty. If you are 55 and retired, you will also not face any early withdrawal penalties. At Appreciation Financial, our agents are experienced in helping you get the most out of your retirement. We can help you decide if borrowing is right for you and find the optimal way to get the funds you need. Contact us for a consultation today.2. What impact will this loan have on my retirement?
3. What fees will I face by making a withdrawal from my pension?
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