I am divorcing and my spouse's pension with TRS pension will be split 50/50. I am 11 years older than he and will likely need the retirement benefits sooner than he will--yet I would want to know and weight the consequences of an early payout, if that's even possible. Before the QDRO is written (legal docs that divide the pension), I'd like advice on how best to take my portion and what options are available. (I've called TRS. The gal was unsure and uninformed on this particular issue.) Please advise on this issue --or-- if you know with whom I should speak at TRS.

I'm no expert, but it depends on the after tax or before tax contributions.

If all of it is before tax you can open an account with a broker like Charles Schwab and roll the balance into a 401K or IRA.

If partial, the part that is before tax can be rolled into a 401K or IRA.

Anything that is after tax can be rolled into a regular account or they can cut you a check (eft )

401(a) Plan: What It Is, Contribution Limits, Withdrawal Rules (investopedia.com)

A relative got divorced. The spouse has legal right to half the TRS bennies but according to him, she can't collect until he starts drawing the bennies after he retires.

Take that FWIW. He said her attorney tried to go to TRS and get an early payout and TRS would not budge. Said she had to wait.

ETA, she has rights to only half the bennies earned while they were married, not half of his entire TRS contributions earned after the divorce.