| Having been dragged through the grades by the | | | | calculated in much the same way as the normal |
| scruff of the neck, most of us when told that | | | | social security benefits, in so far as the |
| teachers are just human like you and I, would put | | | | remuneration payments are dependant on how |
| up a pretty strong argument to the contrary! | | | | much, and for how long the payee has |
| Looking back however, and considering what they | | | | contributed into the system. |
| had to put up with every day of their working | | | | The governing body of the Teacher Retirement |
| lives, I must concede, they were not only human, | | | | System has the responsibility of being caretaker |
| but super human! okay maybe that's a little bit | | | | of the collected funds and should sensibly invest |
| overstated but what I'm trying to say is that | | | | and cultivate these so as to provide a healthy |
| they're, after all is said and done, not all bad. They | | | | income for their membership, in repayment for |
| did dedicate their lives to trying to educate the | | | | the trust that they have received over the years. |
| likes of you and me and in doing so I feel they | | | | Each individual Teacher Retirement System must |
| should be looked after and provided for in their | | | | carry out its business so as to comply with the |
| "after school" period of life. | | | | jurisdiction of the state in which it resides. |
| Every person who has traded their hours for | | | | In much the same way as any other retirement |
| payment and paid into the system is entitled to | | | | plan, throughout their working lives, the teachers |
| be provided for in their retirement, and teachers | | | | who choose to become members of the Teacher |
| are no exception. The Teachers Retirement | | | | Retirement System are required to pay a |
| System was founded for this very reason in | | | | predetermined monthly contribution which is |
| every state of the U.S. This special body was | | | | calculated as 6.4% of their gross income. When |
| founded to provide the three basic benefits of | | | | the teacher reaches the age of retirement, they |
| retirement for the educators of our children, | | | | then begin to reap the rewards of their savings, |
| namely, retirement benefits, disability benefits and | | | | and can usually expect a comfortable and well |
| death and survivor benefits. These benefits are | | | | provided for retirement. |