Teacher Retirement System Amends Service Credit Rule

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) has adopted amendments to Title 34 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 25.131 under Subchapter J (Creditable Time and School Year).

As more schools move to four-day workweeks, the amendments provide clarification on how service credit can be earned for members who work nonstandard workweeks and those who retire after a final fall semester.

It’s important to note that TRS credit rules differ from service credit rules for salary determination.    

Earned Service Credit

Most TRS members earn one year of service credit by working at least 90 days in a school year. However, service credit may also be earned through active employment under the following:   

• Final Fall Semester Rule: Allows members in their final year before retirement to earn service credit by working the full fall semester, even if fewer than 90 days are worked.
• Nonstandard Workweek Rule: Members scheduled to work less than five days per week can earn service credit by working at least four and one-half months including specific number of day requirements across months.  

Need for Clarification

TRS rules did not clearly state whether both the final fall semester rule and the nonstandard workweek rule could be used simultaneously by members scheduled to work less than five days per week in their final year before retirement.

Key Changes

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the amendments allow members to use both rules simultaneously to earn one year of service credit in their final year before retirement.

• Members must be in a membership-eligible position.
• Members scheduled to work less than five days per week may earn service credit in their final year if they worked or received paid leave for the full fall semester.
• A full fall semester is defined as having worked or received paid leave for each required workday, even if the employer’s calendar includes additional days the member is not scheduled to work.
• Members must be scheduled to work fewer than five days per week for at least two weeks per month to qualify for the nonstandard workweek.   

Detailed information can be found in the Title 34 TAC Adopted Rules.