Congressman Richard Neal Releases Statement Addressing WEP Reform Efforts
Representative Richard Neal (D – Massachusetts) is serving as the new chairman for the Congressional Ways and Means Committee in Washington, D.C. As the chairman of Ways and Means, he has oversight on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which has long been a drain on retired Texas educators. The WEP, which took effect in 1983, […]
Retirees’ Hard Work Has Paid Off! TRS Pension Fund to Be Actuarially Sound
Today, May 26, 2019 was the final day that the bills affecting Texas retired educators could be passed by the Texas Legislature. After months of emails, phone calls, personal visits and handwritten letters, retirees’ efforts have paid off! Today, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 500 (the supplemental budget) and Senate Bill 12 (the Retired Teachers’ […]
Call and Email Your Legislators Today! Last Chance to Pass Vital Legislation That Will Help Retirees!
Two must-pass bills are coming up for a vote, and will require your attention! Click here to send an email to your elected official! Use our toll-free legislator hotline to call your Senator and Representative today! 1.888.674.3788 See the detailed outline of the TRS plan below, including a helpful chart near the end of the […]
TRTA Update on 13th Check and Actuarial Soundness – Action Alert Included
Two must-pass bills are coming up for a vote, and will require your attention! Click here to send an email to your elected official. The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is now receiving information on how the deal to make the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) actuarially sound and provide retirees with a supplemental […]
Big Three Hold Press Conference, TRS to Receive Additional State Funding
Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Rep. Dennis Bonnen held a press conference today covering property tax relief and school finance bills. During the conference, they said they will add additional funding for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The funding will make TRS actuarily sound, and it will provide a supplemental payment […]
Last Week of Session – Action Alert Included
Use the Action Alert here. This is the last week of the 86thTexas Legislative Session. The Legislature will likely be taking action on Senate Bill 12 this week to pass the bill into law. SB 12 would make the Teacher Retirement System’s pension fund actuarially sound and provide a supplemental payment of up to $2,400 […]
Tom Rogers Honored by Texas Legislature for His Advocacy Work
Tom Rogers will retire from the position of Austin Retired Teachers Association’s legislative chair. It’s a position that he’s held for 25 years. The Texas Legislature filed two resolutions honoring Rogers, HR 1470 and SR 704. The bills highlight Roger’s “skill, professionalism and commitment to excellence” and “extend to him sincere best wishes for the […]
Please Support House Bill 2227
Many members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) and supporters have written us asking about House Bill 2227. HB 2227 by Rep. Gene Wu (D – Houston) is the bill that addresses minor return-to-work violations and allows current retirees to return to work without penalty. Use our Action Alert to reach out to your […]
Conferees Appointed for Senate Bill 12
Members of the Texas Retired Teacher Association (TRTA) have been awaiting progress on the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) actuarial soundness bill, Senate Bill 12. The bill, created by Senator Joan Huffman (R – Houston), originally passed the Senate unanimously in March. Language from House Bill 9 by Representative Greg Bonnen (R – League […]
Storms in Texas May Be Affecting Retirees
Over the past week, bad weather in Texas has affected multiple cities with calamities such as flooding and tornado damage. Kingwood, Texas received more than 10 inches of rain in 18 hours. While the rainfall hasn’t been as devastating as Hurricane Harvey to the Houston area, it’s a major hit to locals in these flooded […]