403 (b) Plan

[Brisalibre3]

Is the Teacher Retirement System of Texas distribution a 403 (b) plan?

[MaryK4 · Accepted solution]

Yes, the Texas Teacher Retirement System is a 403(b) plan.

[UTom]

On the contrary, when I looked this question up, I found a change that was made in 2019 or so that essentially says the Teacher Retirement System of Texas is *NOT* a 403(b) plan.  Read below:

TRS and 403(b) Certifications

Changes to TRS 403(b) Certification and Registration for Active Members

As of September 1, 2019, TRS no longer certifies 403(b) companies nor maintains a list of registered 403(b) investment products. This change is pursuant to legislation (House Bill 2820) that was adopted by the Texas Legislature in May 2019.

source: https://www.trs.texas.gov/pension-benefits/active-member-resources/plan-retirement/understanding-403...
6:04 PM 10/20/2025

[SteamTrain]

@UTom 

Yeah, lots of gobbledy-gook in that Texas law change.

BUT

Just because  Texas doesn't Certify the 403b companies anymore...it doesn't mean that the plans aren't still 403b products.  Texas just doesn't seem to want to go thru the extra bureaucracy of certifying or maintain lists of acceptable providers.

If any TRS recipients have a question about this, they should go to the TRS website to find their contact telephone numbers and ask.    Also check their W-2 while employed or 1099-R if retired.  The special 403b code designations are in those forms if you indeed have a 403b plan.