Retirement Readiness: Keeping Your TCDRS Account Updated

Keeping your TCDRS account updated is one easy way to make sure you're ready for retirement at every stage of your career. Here's how to make sure everything is up-to-date.

Story by Rebecca L. Bennett

Preparing for retirement takes planning — understanding your goals, staying informed about your benefits and making sure the right details are in place along the way.

At every stage in your career, it helps to know where you stand and to take both the financial and practical steps that support a confident transition into retirement.

One of the most overlooked preparation steps is keeping your TCDRS account information current. Accurate details help ensure you receive important communications and that your account is set up to reflect your wishes.  

What to Update in Your TCDRS Account

• Personal Information: This includes your legal name, mailing address, email and phone number. If you change your name after divorce or marriage, let us know. If you move or get a new phone number, let us know so we send important account communications to the right places.

• Beneficiaries: Designating a beneficiary ensures we can distribute your funds exactly how you wish if you were to pass away. We recommend checking your beneficiaries every year or any time you experience an important life event, such as divorce or a birth or death in the family.

• Representatives: Naming a representative for your TCDRS account ensures that only the people you authorize can act on your behalf. Representatives are different from beneficiaries but should also be checked after major life events.

How to Update Your TCDRS Account

• DIY it: With a TCDRS.org account, you can update your information on our website or mobile app at your convenience. Be sure to check out our detailed guide, “What Members Can Do Online”, as well as our mobile app FAQs.

• Call us for help: Give us a call at 800-823-7782 to receive tailored support from one of our friendly representatives. In many instances, your employer may also be able to assist you by requesting account updates on your behalf.  

• Review everything at once: Consider scheduling a TCDRS Online Counseling appointment to take care of updates in one sitting. Your representative can also walk through your account with you and answer questions.  

Remember: We recommend verifying your account information at least once a year and after major life events, such as marriage or divorce, the birth of a child or job changes. The occasional quick pit stop into your account will help prepare you for whatever the road brings!  

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