Tax Recovery Clarification

This is from the website of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia:

"Georgia Department of Revenue Tax Recovery Adjustment"

"Recently, an email containing misleading information about member contributions and possible tax credits has been circulating around the State.
Back in January of 1990, the Georgia Department of Revenue created a “tax recovery adjustment” for TRS member contributions made from July 1, 1987 through January 1, 1990. During that period, member contributions were sheltered from federal income tax, but not Georgia state income tax. Thus, a member’s contributions and pension were taxed by the State of Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Revenue allowed TRS members, who contributed to TRS from July 1, 1987 through January 1, 1990, to “recover” the taxes paid on those contributions when they filed for their state taxes. At retirement all retirees receive this important information at the time they receive their first benefit check.
TRS members eligible for this recovery adjustment will receive, along with their first benefit check, a letter that provides the total dollar amount of TRS contributions made during this time frame so members can document the adjustment on their state tax returns. For example, a retiree who retired on July 1, 1998 received this important tax information with his/her first retirement check. In early 1999, when the retiree filed his or her state taxes for 1998, the adjustment would have been included.
To be clear, the amount shown in the letter you received is not the amount you are owed by the Georgia Department of Revenue, but is the amount of money from which you can recover the taxes you paid on it. This money has nothing to do with incorrect contribution amounts. The contributions you made to TRS during this time were and are correct.
If you fall into this adjustment period and are unsure as to whether or not you filed for this adjustment, we recommend that you go back and check your tax returns for the applicable year to avoid claiming the recovery more than once. If you already received your adjustment, then you are all set. If you did not claim the adjustment, please contact the Georgia Department of Revenue directly at https://etax.dor.ga.gov/ or 877-602-8477 to find out if you are still eligible. "

Something to ponder: what is the purpose of the Georgia Retired Educators Association? Disseminating information like that above should be a routine activity for them. My only experience with the group is that they tried to sell us long term care insurance!

The Value of Professional Conferences

During the past two weeks I participated in one national conference and one state conference of special education administrators. This was my 22nd and final appearance at the state conference, held, as is tradition, in Savannah, Georgia.  The national conference was held in beautiful San Diego, California.

The importance of these annual gatherings should not be underestimated. The meetings and information sessions provide insight into the operation of a wide variety of school systems.  At national conferences I am always alarmed to hear about the stranglehold teachers' unions exert in many states.  I am also always pleasantly surprised at the level of innovation and effectiveness that characterizes Georgia's special education programs. I am proud to have been a part of the development of our learning organizations.
The recurring response from my many professional colleagues when I announced that this would be my last conference was, "You'll be back." Friendships are forged, food is shared, and fun is had at these conferences.  The planned and unplanned social activities provide glimpses into people's "real" lives that we may not see otherwise.  Indeed, having drinks with folks from the state education agencies, colleges and universities, and school systems helps strengthen our network!
I will miss the camaraderie. But it is increasingly difficult for me to listen to the same issues and the same complaints about problems created by our overly restrictive federal special education law.  We have become a dysfunctional kingdom within the realm. I say let the younger generation take it on!

Google is a Great Investment

The retirement benefits for eligible teachers are guaranteed by state law in Georgia.  There are occasional concerns about the solvency of the retirement system, usually raised by panicky teachers during economic downturns.  In fact, the funds are invested in what could be called a dream portfolio. The top twenty include oil companies, pharmaceutical companies, high tech giants such as Intel, Apple and Microsoft, McDonald's, Coca Cola and Google.

If you have any doubts that Google has made a significant impact on the way we process information, just read Jeff Jarvis's excellent book, What Would Google Do?  He reverse engineers Google and applies their principles to a variety of industries. This book is a "must read." 

Google gets better every time it is used and it is used millions of times per hour around the world.
Google could charge a fee for each hit. But it doesn't. And the world is better for that decision. A sound investment indeed.