job-and-life-changes
Job and Life Changes
Your Responsibilities as a Member
As as an active (non-retired) member of TRS, it is important to keep your account information up to date.
You are encouraged to use My TRS to designate one or more beneficiaries and to update your mailing address and contact information.
A Video Review
Update Your Member Account
If you change jobs by moving from one Montana TRS employer to another (such as if you accept a position in another school district), you do not need to report this change. TRS will be notified automatically when your service is reported by your new employer, and your service credit will continue to accrue with TRS.
- TIP: If you have moved, be sure to update your mailing address with TRS, as well as your email address and phone number if they have changed. You can do this in My TRS, or you can download and print the Change of Address form, which can be found in the Forms and Publications section of this website.
Leaving TRS-reportable employment?
If you will no longer work for any Montana TRS employer, you have several options with respect to the funds in your TRS member account. The handout below can help you decide what's best for you.
As an active TRS member, it is important that you designate at least one primary beneficiary.
Why? If you should pass away while still an active (non-retired) member, all contributions you have made to TRS through automatic payroll deduction, plus interest, will be refunded to your eligible beneficiary or beneficiaries.
- TRS distributes amounts payable among the member's surviving Primary beneficiaries. Contingent beneficiaries are eligible for payment only when no primary beneficiary has survived the member.
- Read more about beneficiaries in our Fact Sheet, Beneficiary Designations for Active Members.
Review your beneficiaries periodically, especially after a major life event such as marriage or having a child. My TRS makes it easy to review and update your beneficiaries!
The Annual Statement of Member Account, which is mailed to you each year in September, also lists your current beneficiaries. We strongly encourage you to review your annual statement to ensure your beneficiaries and other personal details are up to date.
If you designate your spouse as a beneficiary and later you divorce, it is your responsibility to make any necessary changes to your TRS beneficiary designation. Under TRS law, divorce does not automatically erase an ex-spouse's beneficiary rights.
When an active (non-retired) TRS member passes away, TRS is obligated to distribute any amounts payable, including the member's account balance, to any eligible beneficiary (or beneficiaries) on file at the time of the member's death.
- The Family Law Orders page provides additional information that may be useful in the event of a divorce.