The TRS Board of Trustees meet six times a year at the TRS office in Atlanta. Meeting minutes for items discussed during open session are provided below:
TRS Board of Trustees
Minutes of Bimonthly Meeting
January 28, 2026
The Board of Trustees of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia met in its bi-monthly meeting on January 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom Video/Audio Conference. Trustees present in person were Ms. Deborah K. Simonds, Chair, Mr. Greg S. Griffin and Mr. Christopher A. McGraw. Trustees participating via Zoom were Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis, Mr. Kenneth Dyer, Ms. Miriam M. Shook and Dr. William G. Sloan.
TRS staff members present were Dr. Jason L. Branch, Ms. Laura L. Lanier, Mr. Winston C. Buckley, Mr. R. Cory Buice, Ms. K. Paige Donaldson, Mr. Michael A. Jackson, Ms. Dina N. Jones, Ms. Sonya M. Kinley, Mr. Thomas W. McMurry and Ms. Vonnie B. Stewart.
Mr. Caleb Grant and Ms. Shelley Sein berg were present as legal counsel.
Visitors in attendance were Ms. Margaret Ciccarelli, Mr. Tom Horkan, Mr. Chase Jones, Ms. Lindsay McVicar, Mr. Dan Splinter, Ms. Lisa Underwood and Mr. Nate Weinsten.
Ms. Simonds called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present at meeting.
Item 1
Mr. McGraw made a motion to adopt the November 19, 2025, Board of Trustees meeting minutes and the Investment Committee meeting minutes for November 19, 2025, and December 10, 2025. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously adopted.
Item 2
Dr. Branch presented the Executive Director's Operational Status Update. Work items, statistical data and updates for each division were reviewed. Communications and Outreach participated in 36 events with 17 counties reached, completed 25 workshops, a Beneficiary Registration event and 2 Senior Savvy events. Member Services Outreach conducted 360 individual counseling sessions, attended 20 events which reached 17 counties and visited 5 RESA regions. The January 1, 2026, benefit payroll showed the maximum plan continued to be the most popular plan elected by members at 56%. There were 140,538 service retirees who received an average monthly benefit of $3,749, with a monthly total benefit payroll of $566.8 million. The average age at retirement was 60.
Dr. Branch announced Mr. Norwood's resignation from the Board and thanked him for his 18 years of service and dedication to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia.
Item 3
Ms. Lanier reported on the financial statements and expense fund:
| 3.1 | Assets restricted for pensions were $124.8 billion, a 13.3% increase from December 2024. |
| 3.2 | Total contributions recognized year-to-date as of December 31, 2025, were $2.3 billion while benefit payments made were $3.4 billion. |
| 3.3 | The expense fund remained on target with normal operations. Year-to-date with 50% of the year completed, TRS has expended 41.9% of budgeted funds. Mr. Griffin made a motion to approve the expense fund. Mr. McGraw seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously adopted. |
| 3.4 | The Beta Building report was provided for information. |
Item 4
Dr. Branch provided a brief overview of the legislative process for retirement bills.
Item 5
Ms. Simonds introduced Sonya Kinley to provide an update of the Human Resources Division. Ms. Kinley outlined the Division's focus on recruitment and retention, workforce planning and future readiness, training and development and employee engagement.
Item 6
Dr. Branch presented for approval the appointment of Dr. Kent Gibson to the TRS Medical Board. Dr. Gibson is a highly qualified licensed internal medicine physician and is ABIM Board certified. Dr. Davis made a motion to appoint Dr. Gibson to the TRS Medical Board. Mr. Dyer seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously adopted.
There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Simonds thanked members and visitors for being present and adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m.
TRS Board of Trustees Minutes of Bimonthly Meeting signed by TRS Board Chair and TRS Executive Director