Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 715 - Teachers' Retirement System
Chapter 10 - General Operations
Subchapter 15 - Service Retirement
Section 715:10-15-10.2 - Partial lump-sum payments

(1) A member may elect to receive a partial lump-sum payment in an amount equal to the unreduced retirement benefit (Maximum Retirement Allowance) which would have been paid over a period of 12, 24 or 36 months, had the lump-sum option not been selected. Once the payout amount is selected, a reduced Maximum Retirement Allowance is then calculated using factors based upon the member's age at retirement and the payout option (12, 24, or 36 months) selected. This reduced Maximum Retirement Allowance then serves as the basis upon which other optional payment alternatives will be calculated pursuant to 70 O.S. § 17-105 and OAC 715:10-15-10.

(2) The partial lump-sum payment shall be paid in a single check separate from the regular monthly retirement ninety (90) days after the date of the retiring member's first monthly benefit payment. The partial lump-sum payment cannot be returned to the Retirement System once it has been received by the member.

(3) The partial lump-sum payment shall be subject to federal income tax in accordance with Internal Revenue Code or applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations. In accordance with IRS regulations, the member may elect to roll over the partial lump-sum payment into an eligible individual retirement account (IRA) or other eligible retirement plan, including the Oklahoma Teachers' Retirement System's 403b Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan if you already have an established account prior to expected retirement date.

(4) The total amount of the partial lump-sum payment shall be deducted from the member's account balance consisting of the employee contributions plus interest posted to the member's account prior to July 1, 1968, for the purpose of determining unused contributions remaining in the account.

(5) The partial lump-sum payment will be based on the service credit and average compensation, including projected compensation, at the time of retirement, but may be issued before final compensation and contributions are received and posted to the member's account. TRS reserves the right to correct any overpayment or underpayment discovered after final compensation and contribution postings have been received. Should the member have been overpaid, TRS will collect such overpayment from the member, based on an adjustment to the member's monthly benefit. Should the member have been underpaid, TRS will adjust future monthly benefit payments to compensate the member for the amount of the underpayment.

(6) A retiree, having received a partial lump-sum payment, who is reemployed and returns to membership contributing status pursuant to OAC 715:10-17-13, shall have his or her subsequent retirement benefit calculated taking into consideration that a partial lump-sum payment has been received.

(7) Should the retiring member die after the effective date of retirement, but before the partial lump-sum payment is made, the payment will be made to the beneficiary(ies) designated by the retiring member on the final contract for retirement, unless the member filed a separate beneficiary form specifically designating a third party as the beneficiary of the partial lump-sum payment.

(8) If the retiring member is married at the time of retirement, the member's spouse must sign the member's partial lump-sum application form acknowledging the retiring member's intent to receive a partial lump sum payment.