Senate Finance Meets, Discusses Funding for TRS and Potential COLA for Retirees
Executive Summary: This is the first update in a two-part series covering Senate and House budget plans for TRS this session. The TRS fund has met the standard for actuarial soundness! Any cost-of-living increase will have to go through the Texas Legislature. The TRS-Care fund won’t require additional funding this session. TRS is seeking to […]
TRTF Offers Assistance for Disaster Relief
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) and Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF) are thinking of its members during this time of need. We know many of you have suffered greatly under the effects of the winter storm. The storm has caused more than four million Texans to lose power, and many have lost access to […]
Teacher Retirement System of Texas Set to Testify to Legislative Committees
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) has two Texas Legislature committee hearings scheduled within the next 10 days. TRS will testify to the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 17 and the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 22. The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) supports full funding SB 1. SB 1 is the state funding […]
Legislative Leaders File Base Budget Bill, Includes Increased Funds for TRS
TRTA Members Are Making the Difference! On Thursday, January 21, 2021, legislative leaders introduced base budget bills in both the Texas Senate and House. While the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is still reviewing all aspects of these bills, there is very good news about funding for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) in […]
Texas Legislature Senate Committees Named
On Jan. 15, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named the Senate committees. Key committees for Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) issues are the Senate Finance, Senate State Affairs, and Senate Education committees. The Senate also adopted rules for the legislative session. A new rule will require an 18-vote threshold for bringing a bill to the […]
Texas Sunset Commission Recommends Changes for TRS, Including Disclosure of Staff Bonuses
Executive Summary: The Texas Sunset Commission adopted its final report recommending and requiring changes to the TRS based on more than a year of investigation and public input Legislation will be filed to: require TRS to develop a communication and outreach plan to help repair the relationship between TRS and its members and to respond […]
TRTA In-Person Meeting Cancellation Extended through June 30, 2021
The Texas Retired Teachers Association’s Board of Directors voted to extend the cancellation of in-person meetings through June 30, 2021. TRTA’s virtual Day at the Capitol will take place April 6-8. Stay tuned as we announce exciting changes and additions to this event! TRTA’s spring conferences also will be held virtually.
TRS Board Meets to Discuss Long-Term Facilities, Pension Fund Valuation, and TRS-Care Valuation
Executive Summary: TRS continues to work on a long-term facilities solution, with a final decision to be made in 2021 The Indeed Tower space has not yet been sub-leased The TRS pension fund’s value increased by $7.4 billion between 2019 and 2020 Senate Bill 12 (passed in 2019) continues to push the pension plan towards […]
Sunset Advisory Commission Discusses TRS Recommendations
Executive Summary: The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission reviewed four issues raised by its report about TRS. TRS is addressing these issues through a variety of programs. TRTA provided written testimony about the issues to the commission. The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission met yesterday, December 7 to discuss its recommendations for the Teacher Retirement System of […]
TRTA Readies for Legislative Session; Resources for Member Engagement Forthcoming!
The Texas Retired Teachers Association’s (TRTA) preparation for the coming 87th Legislative Session is underway, and our members are doing their part to be ready for the challenge ahead. Last session, TRTA members accomplished major goals on our legislative agenda. We worked with the Legislature to pass a funding plan, Senate Bill 12, that invests […]