Each year, TRS conducts annual "retirement allowance verification" mailings to a percentage of our retirees as a protection against fraud. The mailings are sent to retirees who are over a certain age, over a certain pension amount, or living outside the U.S.

Retirees who receive these mailings must provide "proof of life" to TRS. Although such requests may seem intrusive, TRS has a fiduciary responsibility to verify that our pension payments are being received by the intended parties—and only the intended parties. If a fraudster steals pension payments from a TRS member, that harms the member, the member’s beneficiaries, and TRS (through increased liabilities).

Members who receive the verification mailing from TRS have different ways to meet the verification requirements, and those who do not respond are sent reminder letters. Members who do not respond will have their retirement allowance payments placed on hold, and they risk future suspension of their payments unless TRS receives the necessary documentation.

TRS understands that this verification process can be inconvenient, but preserving the security of our members' pension payments is our highest priority.