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Author: rvarney

Rep. Kevin Brady Holds Town Hall Meeting to Discuss WEP Reform

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is a unfair Social Security issue that negatively impacts thousands of retired educators nationwide, including educators that have paid into the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) as well as Social Security. Progress on reforming the WEP has been slow and arduous ever since it was since enacted in 1983. […]

TRS Board of Trustees Meets, Announces 13th Check to Be Delivered in September

The Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees met on July 18 and 19, 2019. The board reviewed the bills passed during the 86th Texas Legislative session. The board praised the increased contribution rates from the state and approved the 13th check retirees will be receiving in September, which is capped at $2,000. It will […]

Congressman Richard Neal Releases Statement Addressing WEP Reform Efforts

Representative Richard Neal (D – Massachusetts) is serving as the new chairman for the Congressional Ways and Means Committee in Washington, D.C. As the chairman of Ways and Means, he has oversight on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which has long been a drain on retired Texas educators. The WEP, which took effect in 1983, […]

Retirees’ Hard Work Has Paid Off! TRS Pension Fund to Be Actuarially Sound

Today, May 26, 2019 was the final day that the bills affecting Texas retired educators could be passed by the Texas Legislature. After months of emails, phone calls, personal visits and handwritten letters, retirees’ efforts have paid off! Today, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 500 (the supplemental budget) and Senate Bill 12 (the Retired Teachers’ […]

TRTA Update on 13th Check and Actuarial Soundness – Action Alert Included

Two must-pass bills are coming up for a vote, and will require your attention! Click here to send an email to your elected official. The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is now receiving information on how the deal to make the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) actuarially sound and provide retirees with a supplemental […]

Big Three Hold Press Conference, TRS to Receive Additional State Funding

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Rep. Dennis Bonnen held a press conference today covering property tax relief and school finance bills. During the conference, they said they will add additional funding for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The funding will make TRS actuarily sound, and it will provide a supplemental payment […]

Last Week of Session – Action Alert Included

Use the Action Alert here. This is the last week of the 86thTexas Legislative Session. The Legislature will likely be taking action on Senate Bill 12 this week to pass the bill into law. SB 12 would make the Teacher Retirement System’s pension fund actuarially sound and provide a supplemental payment of up to $2,400 […]

Tom Rogers Honored by Texas Legislature for His Advocacy Work

Tom Rogers will retire from the position of Austin Retired Teachers Association’s legislative chair. It’s a position that he’s held for 25 years. The Texas Legislature filed two resolutions honoring Rogers, HR 1470 and SR 704. The bills highlight Roger’s “skill, professionalism and commitment to excellence” and “extend to him sincere best wishes for the […]

Please Support House Bill 2227

Many members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) and supporters have written us asking about House Bill 2227. HB 2227 by Rep. Gene Wu (D – Houston) is the bill that addresses minor return-to-work violations and allows current retirees to return to work without penalty. Use our Action Alert to reach out to your […]