For most members, qualifying service is synonymous with Total Service Credit: the sum of your TRS membership service, transferred service, credited optional service, and Chapter 126 credit (for eligible Tier I and II members).

For Tier I members, there’s a difference between Qualifying Service and Total Service Credit: Outside teaching service would count as qualifying service when determining eligibility for vesting and eligibility for a 30-Year “Demand” Retirement. Outside teaching service would not count toward eligibility for a Plan A or B service retirement benefit, but it would count when determining the amount of a Plan A or B service retirement allowance.