TRS-Care: What’s Next

Dear TRTA Member, Thank you for your tireless advocacy efforts in protecting your benefits provided by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). Your calls, emails and visits to legislators are truly making a difference. Legislators have heard your voice, and are formulating plans to try to help our cause. However, many legislators are preparing […]

Texas Senate to Vote on SB 788

Use our Action Alert to email your Senator today or call 1-888-674-3788 to talk to your Senator today! The Texas Senate is preparing to vote on SB 788. SB 788 proposes to dramatically alter the state-run retiree health insurance program, TRS-Care. SB 788 is on the state’s intent calendar. Bills on the intent calendar can […]

Texas House Passes Budget Bill, Provides An Additional $500 Million For TRS-Care

The Texas House of Representatives passed its budget this morning. The budget includes the statutory contribution to TRS-Care as well as $500 million coming out of the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund. The statutory state contribution for TRS-Care is 1 percent of active educator payroll. Representatives debated the bill early […]

MEMBER ACTION ALERT – House Voting Thursday On TRS-Care Funding!

The Texas House of Representatives is set to take the most important vote of the legislative session regarding TRS-Care! Click here to send an email to your representative encouraging them to fund TRS-Care! On Thursday, April 6, 2017, the Texas House is scheduled to debate and vote on Senate Bill 1, the appropriations bill for […]

Senate State Affairs Discusses TRS-Care Bill

The Senate State Affairs Committee discussed a proposal today to make sweeping changes to TRS-Care, the state-run retiree health insurance program. Senate Bill 788 would eliminate TRS-Care 1, 2 and 3. The bill would require a high-deductible plan for participants under the age of 65 and a Medicare Advantage plan for all Medicare eligible participants. […]

TRTA Hosts Successful Convention and Day at the Capitol

The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) held its 64th Annual Convention this week in Austin on March 27-28, followed by a rousing day of advocacy at the Texas Capitol on March 29, where nearly 1,500 TRTA members and friends convened to rally and meet with their legislators. The convention was a two-day affair held at […]

Senate Finance Committee Update: Proposed Budget Includes $311 Million Towards TRS-Care

The Senate Finance Committee met today, March 22, to finalize Senate Bill 1 (SB1). SB1 will determine the State’s general appropriations for the upcoming biennium. The Senate Finance Committee voted unanimously, 15-0, to approve SB1 and send it to the Senate floor. Senator Jane Nelson, (R-Flower Mound) announced that SB1 will be presented to the […]

URGENT MEMBER ALERT: Bills Filed to Eliminate TRS Defined Benefit Plan!

Update: SB 1750 and 1751 did not advance out of committee. Thank you for your support! ​​CLICK HERE to send an email to your legislators today, asking them to oppose legislation that eliminates the TRS defined benefit plan! *Editor’s Note: This story has been updated based on conversations with Senator Bettencourt. As the 85th Legislative […]

Watch Our New TRTATV Episode, Get Updated Information about SB 1750, 1751!

This has been a very busy week for Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) staff and members. During the past three days alone, members have sent more than 60,000 emails to the Texas Legislature! Thank you for your efforts to support the defined benefit plan and the TRS-Care health insurance program. There is new information coming […]