Enroll in the TDA Program

TRS' Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) Program, which includes a traditional TDA (pre-tax) and a Roth (post-tax) option, is an excellent way to save for your retirement. By investing part of your paycheck—even a small percentage—you take an important step toward your financial growth.

The TDA Program is a voluntary, defined-contribution plan under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). TRS members have the option of opening a traditional TDA account, a Roth account, or both.

In both options, contributions deducted from your pay accumulate in separate retirement accounts. Traditional TDA contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, and taxes are generally deferred until you receive the funds as income after retirement. Roth contributions are made on an after-tax basis, and withdrawals are generally tax-free after retirement, provided certain criteria are met.

TDA Program participation is subject to guidelines established in the IRC for Section 403(b) Programs, including withdrawal restrictions.

Before enrolling online, please read the information published on TRS’ website for complete details about the TDA Program and TRS' Passport Funds.

On this page, you will choose the percentage of your pay to contribute to your account.

Annual Contribution Limit: Each year the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) establishes a contribution limit for Section 403(b) and 401(k) Plans. Your personal contribution limit for the current year is displayed on the screen. Contributions to TRS’ traditional TDA option, TRS’ Roth option, and any external 403(b) or 401(k) plans cannot exceed this amount. TRS can monitor your contributions for your TRS accounts (TDA and Roth), but not for any external accounts.  In general, TRS contributions will stop being deducted from your paychecks when your contributions reach the applicable limits; but, if you have external 403(b) or 401(k) accounts, you must ensure your aggregated contributions for the year do not exceed IRC limits.

Your annual contribution limit may reflect “catch-up” contributions that are permitted under certain conditions. Age-based catch-up contributions are permitted for members who are aged 50 and older. Service-based catch-up contributions are permitted for certain members with 15 years of qualifying service. (Note: For certain high earners who are 50 or over, any age-based catch-up contributions must be made to a Roth account.) Details about the limits and rules are available on our website.

Generally, contribution rate changes would take effect on the first payroll that occurs at least 30 days after TRS receives your request. You may change your contribution rate or stop your contributions at any time in the secure section of our website. You may also change your investment elections on a quarterly basis in the secure section.

  • Choose a contribution rate for your account. Remember that traditional TDA contributions will be deducted from your pay before taxes, reducing your taxable income. Roth contributions will be deducted from your pay after taxes.
  • The rate you enter can be as low as 1% or as high as 99.9%. However, because of other deductions that are required from your pay, an extremely high contribution rate might not be possible. if you choose a contribution rate that is too high (i.e., the requested deduction exceeds the amount available to deduct), then no deductions will be taken from your pay.
  • When you have entered your contribution rate, click “Next.” On the following page, you can choose how you would like to allocate your contributions in TRS’ Passport Funds.
  • Click “Cancel” to return to the Home page.

On this page you will determine how your future contributions will be invested in TRS' Passport Funds.

  • If you have not done so already, please read the Fund Profiles brochure for information about TRS' Passport Funds, including strategy, risk, expenses, and performance.
  • Under "New %," enter the percentage of your contribution that you would like to allocate to each fund, in increments of 5%. The total amount must equal 100%.
  • When you are finished with your allocations, click "Next." You will be taken to a confirmation page
  • Click "Previous" to return to the previous page. Click "Cancel" to return to the home page.
  • Please note that, if you have traditional TDA account and a Roth account, you will maintain the investment elections separately for those accounts.

  • The “New %” column displays how your incoming TDA money will be invested in TRS’ Passport Funds.
  • If you are satisfied with your enrollment elections, review the Terms & Conditions, and check the Terms & Conditions checkbox to agree. You will receive a confirmation email.
  • If you are not satisfied with your enrollment elections, click “Previous” to return to the previous page to change your allocations.

Your contributions should begin on the first payroll that occurs at least 30 days after TRS receives your enrollment request.

In general, contributions will continue at the same rate until you elect to change your contribution rate or terminate your contributions.

You may change your contribution rate, terminate your contributions, or change your investment elections at any time. Contribution rate changes and terminations generally take effect on the first available payroll that occurs at least 30 days after TRS receives your request. Investment changes take place quarterly on the first conversion date that occurs at least 30 days after TRS receives your request.