TRTA Calls for Additional Funding
Senate Searches for Answers TRTA Advises Senate to Increase Contributions The Senate Finance Committee met to discuss the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) budget allocation in their version of the budget, or SB 1. The meeting did not provide much new information, but it did provide TRTA a forum to push for increased appropriations […]
TRTA Action Alert: Senate Finance Hearing on TRS set for Thursday
Senate Budget Hearing on TRS set for Thursday TRTA Members Called to Action (TRTA Action Email Provided Below) The Texas Senate Finance Committee will hear public testimony on budget requests for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) tomorrow (Thursday, January 24, 2013). The meeting is one of the first steps in the legislative process, […]
The Texas 83rd Legislative Session Is Underway
On Tuesday, the Texas Legislature convened for the 83rd Legislative Session. As the session begins, I cannot help but think of the now famous political question “are you better off today than you were four years ago?” Many TRS annuitants may be quick to respond that public education retirees have not had a pension increase […]
TRTA Wishes You a Happy New Year
Hello and Happy New Year to all the TRTA Inside Line subscribers. TRTA has had a great year mobilizing our membership and working with all our partner associations to prepare for a difficult legislative session. I will speak on that issue more in just a minute. Let me begin this message by saying “thank you.” […]
TRTA Update on New TRS Report–December 4, 2012
Texas Comptroller Releases Report about Public Pensions The Texas Comptroller’s office recently released a report about public pensions, providing details about Texas’ local and state pension programs as well as information about plans throughout the country. Included in the report is information about the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). Page 12 of the report […]
TRS Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Follow Up
TRTA continues to receive calls and emails about the new TRS Aetna Medicare Advantage plan as well as the Express Scripts Medicare Part D prescription plan. In this Inside Line, we are sharing a few additional TRS resources with you as you continue to assess your medical care needs. Aetna Medicare Advantage TRTA has received […]
Senate State Affairs Committee Discusses TRS Today
The Senate State Affairs Committee will hold a hearing today to discuss several issues pertaining to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), as well as other state agencies. The committee’s agenda includes a charge to examine the feasibility of implementing health reimbursement accounts (HRA) and Medicare exchanges for Medicare eligible participants currently covered by […]
TRTA Update October 19th, 2012
TRS Releases Investment Report for FY 2012 The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) released its FY 2012 Annual Investment Performance Report. The report states that TRS earned 7.58% on its investments for the fiscal year ending August 31. The fund grew by over $4 billion to reach $111.1 billion in assets. The report confirms […]
TRTA Update September 15, 2012
TRTA Helps Lead a United Front Defending TRS Benefits Associations Testify in Favor of Maintaining Pension and Health Care Benefits The House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services Committee (PIFS) met this week to discuss their interim charge on the Teacher Retirement System and other statewide, county, and municipal retirement programs. TRTA expected an attack on […]
Pensions, Investments and Financial Services Committee to Meet Next Week
Many TRTA members are interested in the legislatively mandated studies completed by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) last week. The full report can be read by clicking here. TRS began working on the studies at the end of the 82nd legislative session in 2011. The Texas Legislature directed TRS to research the impacts […]