Questions educators ask before scheduling a review.
What educators usually want help with.
- {check}Understanding TRS pension benefits
- {check}Reviewing 403(b) and 457 accounts
- {check}Finding old retirement accounts from past employers
- {check}Planning for retirement income overall
- {check}Coordinating a pension with Social Security
Is this affiliated with TRS, my school district, or the state? +
No. TeacherRetirementHQ.com is an independent educational resource. We are not affiliated with the Teacher Retirement System, any school district, or any government agency.
Who runs TeacherRetirementHQ.com? +
This site is an educational resource provided by HavenPoint Retirement Strategies, a licensed Texas retirement planning firm. If you schedule a complimentary review, it's conducted by a HavenPoint retirement professional.
Does the complimentary review cost anything? +
No. There is no cost and no obligation to act on anything discussed.
Will I be pressured to buy something? +
No. The review is educational. If a product or strategy is relevant to your situation, it will be explained — the decision is always yours, on your own timeline.
How is my pension actually calculated? +
Most public pension formulas combine your years of service, your average salary over your highest-earning years, and a multiplier set by the pension system. See the TRS Pension Guide for a full explanation.
What's the difference between a 403(b) and a 457? +
Both are supplemental accounts with their own contribution limits, but a governmental 457(b) generally isn't subject to the early-withdrawal penalty if you leave your employer, which can matter for early retirees. See the 457 Guide for details.
I think I have an old 401(k) or 403(b) from a past job. What do I do? +
Start by listing every past employer and checking old statements, pay stubs, or W-2s. The Old Retirement Accounts guide walks through this in more detail.
Can I retire before I hit full pension eligibility? +
Usually yes, but most systems apply a permanent reduction to your benefit if you retire before meeting your tier's eligibility rule. It's worth understanding the exact reduction before deciding.
How does my pension affect my Social Security benefit? +
It depends on your work history and which rules apply to your state and tier. This is one of the most common things a review clarifies, since the interaction isn't always intuitive.
Is my 403(b) automatically the best option available to me? +
Not necessarily. Districts typically list a set of approved vendors, but that doesn't guarantee the lowest fees or the best fit for your timeline. It's worth checking.
What information do I need before scheduling a review? +
Nothing formal. A general sense of your accounts and timeline is enough — the short questionnaire after you schedule fills in the rest.
How long does a review take? +
Most reviews are conducted over Zoom and take under an hour, scheduled around your school day.
Is my information kept private? +
Yes. See our Privacy Policy for full details on how information submitted through this site is handled.
Do you work with educators outside Texas? +
HavenPoint Retirement Strategies is based in Texas and primarily serves Texas educators. Contact us to confirm availability if you're outside the state.
Still have questions?
Schedule a complimentary Zoom retirement review. We'll answer your questions, explain your options, and help you better understand your retirement picture.