I work for the Texas school system and make monthly contributions to TRS retirement account. Is my TRS considered an IRA? Can I use this as part of my deductions?

[DJS]

No. TRS is a defined benefit plan, with retirement benefits determined by a pre-established formula. The plan is administered as a qualified governmental retirement plan under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Section 401(a). In addition, monthly member contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, meaning that at the time you receive your salary, you do not pay federal income tax on the portion of your salary used to make the contributions. Federal income tax on the contributions and interest is deferred until you receive a distribution from TRS, such as a refund or a retirement annuity. Amounts accumulated in your member account or your retirement benefits become taxable income in the years in which they are paid to you. As a governmental plan, TRS is not an “ERISA” (1) plan under the federal Employees Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

(1) ERISA is a federal law that sets minimum standards for pension plans in private industry. 

[VolvoGirl]

That comes out of your paycheck pre-tax (meaning before taxes) it has already been deducted from your gross wages in box 1 on your W2 and you can't deduct it again. Notice that box 1 is less than boxes 3 & 5.  You only enter it from the W2.   That's why you have to wait for your W2.  It will be different than your paystubs.

[jesi302003]

Thank you 🙂

[stephaniehstn]

What if there is not amount in box 3 and box 1 and 5 are the same?

[VolvoGirl]

That's right.  Box 3 is for Social Security wages.  But most teachers don't pay into SS.  You are paying into the TRS system instead.  So you aren't getting any SS credits.

[stephaniehstn]

Thank you for your help. I have another question. In box 13 "retirement plan" is checked however there isn't any information within the 12 a;b;c;d description section providing the contributed dollar amount. Should there be a description/ $ value? As it stands we are now paying taxes on his income since the Fed tax withheld is not enough for the box 1 income; which from my calculations doesn't account for the TRS contributions.

[VolvoGirl]

That all sounds right.  Your retirement contributions are usually pre-tax and excluded from box 1 wages.  So you are not paying tax on them.  Box 12 would be for other kinds of plans like a 401k contribution.  @dmertz anything else to add?

[stephaniehstn]

But we ARE paying now for owed taxes because the Fed taxes taken out weren't enough to cover box 1 wages and the box 1 wages are his contracted wages before TRS deduction.

[VolvoGirl]

Oh then you are making post tax contributions?  Yes you pay tax on it now.  Then when you start getting payments from it or take a distribution part of it will come out tax free.  The plan will keep track of it for you.  That's also why you don't have any pre-tax items listed in box 12.

The witholding is a separate calculation and issue.  You might want to increase your witholding.

[dmertz]

Form W-2 box 13 Retirement plan gets marked for any additions, employee or employer, to your retirement plan for your benefit.  That includes being covered by a pension plan.  Employer contributions are not reported anywhere on your W-2.

[stephaniehstn]

he has 5 withholdings on his check and we are eligible for 9 and I didn't think he could contribute to TRS post tax since it is automatically withdrawn from his pay and he isn't given the option as to how to have it withdrawn.

[VolvoGirl]

You have to ask the plan about them deducting it pretax or post tax and why.  My husband worked for the state and didn't have a choice on how much or tax.  It's set by the plan.

[stephaniehstn]

I have the TRS account statement and it says EOY tax-sheltered amount $2,781  and under non tax sheltered it says $0. So that means it is coming out pre taxed, correct?