WEP Reform Receives Major Setback in Committee Hearing, Fight for Equal Treatment Continues
The Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act (H.R. 711) received a major setback in its hearing under the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee today. The bill, which seeks to reform the harmful Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), was scheduled to receive a vote, but was postponed indefinitely due to push back from various public worker […]
Changes Expected as WEP Repeal Progresses
As you may have read last week, the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) has been visiting Washington D.C. throughout the summer to work for the passage of HR 711, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act. Texas Congressman Kevin Brady (R – The Woodlands) introduced the bill to Congress in an effort to provide financial […]
Ways and Means Committee To Vote On WEP Reform Bill
The U.S. House of Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to vote on H.R. 711, a bill that proposes to replace the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) formula. The hearing will take place Wednesday at 1P.M. CT. The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) will be bringing you details as they arrive. This marks the first time […]
TRTA Continues to Push for WEP Reform
The Texas Retired Teachers Association made another push for reform on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), as Executive Director Tim Lee, Legislative Coordinator Bill Barnes and Pensions Consultant Ronnie Jung visited Washington, D.C. The WEP is an unfair social security provision that hurts the financial income of retirees in Texas and 12 other states. Retirees […]
Answers to TRS-Care Questions Coming Soon
Last week, the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) reported that the Board of Trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) approved several changes to the TRS-Care retiree health insurance program. You may read TRTA’s update about those changes by clicking here. TRTA has received several questions from members regarding these changes. Please know […]
Changes to TRS-Care Adopted by TRS Board of Trustees; Benefit Reductions in Store for TRS-Care
As the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) reported last night, The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees met yesterday and approved several changes to the TRS-Care retiree health insurance program that will go into effect in September of this year. It is the first time in 12 years that TRS has introduced […]
Health Care Crisis Results in TRS-Care Benefit Reductions; New Medicare Advantage Provider Approved
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees adopted numerous plan design changes to the TRS-Care program. These changes include: increased deductibles. increased out-of-pocket maximum costs. new convenience fees for local pharmacy prescription drug fills. new rules on Medicare D. The plan changes are projected to cost TRS-Care participants more than $43 million. […]
“A Helping Hand” Available for Retirees in Need
The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF), the charitable arm of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), has been busy this spring delivering grants to classroom teachers all across Texas and scholarships to future educators. As our members know, TRTF also supports a grant program that aids public education retirees experiencing critical emergencies. “A Helping Hand” […]
Bill to Replace Windfall Elimination Provision Reaches 100 Cosponsors
Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) have been contacting their congressmen and sharing information about HR 711, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act, with their friends and family living in Texas and other states since the bill was introduced by Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands). TRTA is pleased to report that the […]
Primary Runoff Elections Early Voting Starts Today!
Today, May 16, marks day one of early voting for the Texas Primary Runoff Elections! Many elections in Texas, particularly for seats in the Texas Senate and House, are decided during the Primary Election and not during the November General Election. ATTENTION TRTA MEMBERS IN DISTRICTS WITH A RUNOFF: The power is in your hands! […]