Voting Resources: Helping You Prepare for the General Election
As the November General Election approaches, the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) will continue to provide non-partisan information about voting safely. We are only nine weeks from election day and six weeks from the beginning of in-person early voting. For those choosing to vote by mail, the process requires a few extra steps and has […]
Start Making Your Plans to Vote in the November Election!
In a previous version of this Inside Line, TRTA had the incorrect dates listed for the early voting period. The correct timeframe for early voting in the November General Election is October 13 through October 30, 2020, not October 19 through October 30. We apologize for the error! Voting safely during the COVID-19 pandemic is […]
TRS Begins Distributing Information on New Healthcare Plans
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) decided on Feb. 21 to switch healthcare providers for participants in TRS-Care, the state-run health care program for public education retirees. Retirees under-65 will be receiving healthcare from BlueCross BlueShield. Retirees over-65 will be receiving healthcare from United Healthcare. As a part of the transition to the new […]
Sen. Joan Huffman Pens Letter to Texas Retired Educators: “Committed to Protecting Your Pension”
Sen. Joan Huffman serves on the Texas Senate Finance Committee and served as Chair of the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee last session. Her work includes authoring Senate Bill 12 in 2019, which provided $1 billion in funding from the state into the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) pension fund. Today, she released a […]
TRTA In-Person Meetings Canceled Through December 31, 2020: What Happens Now?
The Texas Retired Teachers Association’s (TRTA) Board of Directors voted unanimously on Tuesday, July 14 to impose a hold on all TRTA-affiliated in-person meetings across the state through the end of 2020. This includes all district fall conferences and local unit meetings, as well as smaller in-person gatherings such as district or local unit executive […]
Why the Teacher Retirement System of Texas Should Re-Evaluate Its Investment Approach
Tim Lee, TRTA’s Executive Director, will host a Facebook Live event on Thursday discussing this issue and fall virtual meetings on Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. The video will be available on TRTA’s Facebook page. You don’t need a Facebook account to view the video. The video will be recorded to the videos section […]
TRS Board Meets, Discusses Operations During Pandemic
The Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees met July 15-17. The board met virtually again due to the ongoing pandemic. During the meetings, the board discussed the pension plan, long-term facilities planning, the transition back into the office environment, and future meeting plans. The TRS pension fund has experienced a tumultuous year due to […]
Early Voting for July 14 Primary Runoff Election Begins Today!
BE SAFE! VOTE EARLY! VOTE BY MAIL! Now is the time to plan your voting strategy for the Primary Runoff Election! If you can, please vote by mail. If you must go to the polls, plan to vote early and try to go at a time when lines are shorter. The Texas Retired Teachers Association […]
Voter Alert for July 14 Primary Runoff! Mail Ballots Available for Retirees Over Age 65
The Texas Primary Runoff Election will occur on July 14, 2020. The election will feature more than 30 contests and will determine which Democrats and Republicans will appear on the ballot in the November General Election. Click here to view the candidates. Important Election Dates Vote by mail application received by deadline: July 2, 2020 […]
Tim Lee Interviews Rep. Kevin Brady About WEP Reform Via Facebook Live
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is an unfair federal provision preventing retirees from receiving the Social Security benefits they are owed. The WEP, which took effect in 1983, provides a means of eliminating the “windfall” of Social Security benefits received by beneficiaries who also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security. […]