Countdown to the General Election: A Simple Plan
The November 6 mid-term General Election is shaping up with many good candidates and considerable political fodder for marketing gurus. When you hear the next amazing fact that sounds too good to be true or an out-of-context statement excoriating a political opponent, remember it is the job of marketing experts to make their candidate appear […]
Breaking: TRS Makes No Changes to TRS-Care Benefits
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees is holding meetings today and tomorrow. The board was considering increasing premiums to non-Medicare retirees by $50 per month. However, TRS Executive Director Brian Guthrie has stated that the staff recommendation is to not increase these monthly premiums. Since the benefits committee didn’t act on […]
Countdown to the General Election – Voting is Good for You!
Texas Educators Vote recently posted a message about the health benefits of civic engagement. It included this recent TIME magazine article about a study that linked registering to vote, voting, and civic engagement to healthier lifestyles for young adults. This is yet another great reason to help high school students get registered to vote! Voting […]
Countdown to the General Election – Today is Patriot Day!
Today is Patriot Day! Patriot Day is an annual observance held on September 11 to remember those who were injured or passed away during the terrorist attacks in the United States on the same date in 2001. Patriot Day is an opportunity to remember what our country stands for and how we come together during […]
House Appropriations Committee Meets, Discusses Future of TRS-Care
The Texas House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III met today to discuss funding for TRS-Care and the implementation of last session’s changes to the retiree health care program. The committee invited testimony from both the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), as well as stakeholder groups, including the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). […]
Countdown to the General Election: Let’s Change History!
Labor Day has come and gone and with its passing begins the unofficial start of the 2018 mid-term election season. Historically, Texas tends to have one of the lowest voter turnouts in the United States, and that is something the members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) hope to change! Let’s change history this […]
Looking Back, TRTF Assisted Retirees in the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF) is a charitable organization dedicated to helping active and retired school employees. One year ago, Aug. 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast of Texas and devastated thousands of lives. Among those lives was Diane Brady, a retired educator whose roof was ripped apart during the storm. Brady […]
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and State Senator Joan Huffman Pen Letters Requesting TRS Avoid Raising TRS-Care Premiums
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Dan Patrick, sent a letter to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees regarding the retiree health care program, TRS-Care. Patrick is asking the TRS Board not to raise retiree premiums for TRS-Care. This letter was bolstered by a similar letter from Senator Joan Huffman (R – Houston), Chairman […]
Special Message About TRS Changing Rate of Return Assumption
Dear TRTA Members, The major action by the Board of Trustees to lower their investment rate of return assumption from 8 percent to 7.25 percent will shape our state’s public policy on TRS for years to come. TRTA is grateful to all the TRS Trustees for their long deliberation of this issue. This decision did […]
Teacher Retirement System of Texas Votes 5-4 to Lower Rate of Return Assumption
All eyes turn to next session as pension and health care programs both need higher contribution levels. Executive Summary: TRS lowers rate of return assumption to 7.25 percent. Change to rate of return assumption doesn’t impact current retiree benefits. However, it will require the Legislature to provide additional funding for retirees to receive a cost-of […]