TRTA Testifies to Appropriations Committee About Funding for COLA
The Texas House Committee on Appropriations met today and discussed funding for a benefit enhancement for retired educators. Senate Bill 30 would provide $1 billion for a benefit enhancement to Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) annuitants. Tim Lee, TRTA’s Executive Director, provided testimony to the committee in support of the bill. Lee thanked the legislators for […]
PIFS Meets, Discusses Resolution to Urge Congress to Repeal WEP and GPO
The Texas House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services (PIFS) Committee met on Wednesday, March 15 to begin reviewing bills that have been filed during the 88th Legislative Session. On the docket was HCR 20, a resolution urging Congress to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) of the Social Security Act. HCR […]
This Week: Legislative Hearings to Watch, Tim Lee to Address Member Questions on March 16
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) has heard from many members after publishing an Inside Line on Saturday, March 11 about two bills that were filed late last week: Senate Bill 10 and House Bill 600. TRTA first wishes to express its gratitude to both the Texas Senate and House for laying out proposals that would provide […]
Breaking News: As Bill Deadline Passes, TRS Retirees Are Major Priority for 88th Legislature
Breaking News: As Bill Deadline Passes, TRS Retirees Are Major Priority for 88th Legislature The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is pleased to announce two priority bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature that would help Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirees struggling to make ends meet after years of not receiving a […]
Reminder: Tim Lee Live on Facebook and YouTube Tomorrow at 4 P.M. Central
Tim Lee, the Texas Retired Teachers Association’s (TRTA) Executive Director, will be live on Facebook and YouTube tomorrow, Feb. 16, at 4 p.m. Central. The 88th Texas Legislative Session is heating up. Lee will discuss the differences between a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), a 13th check, and a supplemental payment. Be sure to tune in on Thursdays at 4 p.m. […]
TRTA Day at the Capitol 2023: RSVP Today!
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is excited to announce our Day at the Capitol event on Wednesday, April 12, 2023! Retired public educators in Texas are looking forward to meeting with legislators, advocating for a much-needed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and enjoying fellowship during an old-fashioned ice cream social on the East Lawn. We are […]
Senate Finance Committee Meets, Begins Budget Discussions for TRS
Executive Summary: TRTA testified to the Senate Finance Committee that the state should invest in retirees by passing a COLA. TRS provided data to the committee about what the costs would look like to pass a COLA. TRTA will continue to work with legislators to win a COLA. The Senate Finance Committee of the 88th Texas […]
Share Your Story About How Inflation is Impacting Your Retirement
Tim Lee, the Texas Retired Teachers Association’s (TRTA) Executive Director will be live tomorrow, February 2 on Facebook and YouTube at 4 p.m. Central to update members on progress in the Texas Legislature. TRTA is asking members to share very specific examples, in 250 words or less, of purchasing trade-offs they have made due to rising inflation. This information […]
Thank You for Your Effort in Pushing for WEP Reform!
TRTA members, thank you for your outpouring of support in pushing for action on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)! The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), Association of Professional Educators (ATPE), and Mass Retirees held a successful press conference on Wednesday, December 14 in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Capitol. Thank you to all the members […]
TRS Board Meets, Receives Data Regarding a COLA for Retirees
Executive Summary: Cost projections on Texas providing a cost-of-living increase for retirees were presented at the TRS Board of Trustees meeting. TRTA is advocating for the Texas Legislature to provide retirees with a substantial, meaningful COLA in 2023. TRS investment returns lost 6.7% in 2022. Despite this year’s downturn, the investment returns over the past […]