Work on WEP Underway! Share Your Story Today!
Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) have been working hard all summer to achieve results on the unfair Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Many have contacted their congressmen and friends in other states impacted by the WEP, encouraging them to do the same. In July, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act (HR 711) […]
Details Start to Come Into Focus for Upcoming TRS-Care Changes
Starting Sept. 1, TRS-Care participants will begin paying increased deductibles and out-of-pocket limits. These changes were approved by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to the health care program in a June 16 Board meeting. TRS-Care serves more than 250,000 retired educators, but its funding has been at a critically low level. Without the […]
TRS Board of Trustees Talks Budget, Plans for TRS-Care
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees met today, July 29, to discuss TRS-Care and budget requests that will be made to the Texas Legislature later this summer. TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee provided impassioned public comment, approaching the trustees with heartfelt concern about the looming TRS-Care budget crisis. Lee stressed that […]
TRTA Legislative Committee Meets, Solidifies Plans for 85th Texas Legislature
The Texas Retired Teachers Association’s Legislative Committee held meetings throughout July 18-19 to discuss the 2017 Texas Legislature. The committee is comprised of 21 members from the various TRTA districts. It is the responsibility of the state Legislative Committee to communicate with their local unit counterparts to ensure a cohesive, well-organized lobbying effort throughout the […]
WEP Reform a Difficult Road
Dear Friends, Everyday I have the privilege to work with thousands of TRTA members and supporters on issues paramount to their retirement. The reform of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is one of the most impassioned and challenging efforts we deal with. Like so many of you, we were disappointed that the help for current […]
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 […]