Welcome to TRS! As a member, there are some important steps that you need to take to ensure your account is current:
If an active TRS member passes away before retiring, any amount payable in the member's account will be paid to designated beneficiaries.
A primary beneficiary has a first right to receive payment in the event of the member's death.
A contingent beneficiary has a right to receive payment only if no primary beneficiary is still living at the time of the member's death.
Log in to your My TRS account by using the Login button at the top of this screen.
If you haven't set up an account, you will need to do that first.
Select the 'Beneficiary' option to review your current beneficiaries.
To update or change your beneficiaries you can do that using the Online Beneficiary Designation process in My TRS or by completing Form 123 Beneficiary Designation for Active Members.
Your beneficiary can be a living person, your estate, or your trust.
You may designate any minor child as your beneficiary. However, TRS is prohibited by law from making a payment of any amount directly to a minor child. (Under Montana law, “minor child” for this purpose means any child under the age of 21.)
TRS will make payment only to an individual legally authorized to receive the funds on behalf of the minor child by virtue of:
• court appointment as the child’s conservator or guardian, or
• designation by the TRS member as a custodian for the minor child in conformity with the
Montana Uniform Transfers to Minors Act
This means that if you designate a minor child as your beneficiary, you should also designate a custodian. If you should pass away before the child reaches the age of 21 and you did not designate a custodian, and there is no court-appointed conservator or guardian, TRS will be unable to make payment, even to the custodial parent. TRSwill be required to withhold payment until a conservator or guardian is appointed or until the child turns 21.
