{"id":74547,"date":"2026-10-14T13:21:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T18:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trta.org\/?p=74547"},"modified":"2026-10-14T13:21:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T18:21:11","slug":"countdown-to-the-general-election-five-days-until-early-voting-opens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trta.org\/es\/countdown-to-the-general-election-five-days-until-early-voting-opens\/","title":{"rendered":"Countdown to the General Election: Five Days Until Early Voting Opens"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2026 General Election is just around the corner. Now is an important time to review the Texas Retired Teachers Association\u2019s (TRTA) legislative priorities and keep them in mind as you choose candidates at the ballot box. Our goals for the 90th Texas Legislature are ambitious and achieving them starts with electing leaders who understand and support the issues affecting Texas public education retirees.<\/p>\n

Prioridades legislativas de TRTA<\/h4>\n
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  1. Restore TRS to Actuarial Soundness<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    House Bill 2, passed in 2025, increased teacher salaries and added $5 billion in unfunded liability to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS), causing the actuarial funding period to increase from 28 to 35 years. TRTA supported the teacher salary increases but also called for additional state funding to address the resulting TRS liability. The 2025 Legislature did not provide that funding, leaving TRS beyond the actuarial soundness standard.<\/p>\n

    The Legislature must work with stakeholders to develop a strategy to address the impact of HB 2, restore TRS to actuarial soundness, and ensure retirement security for all current and future retirees.<\/p>\n

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    1. Deliver a Meaningful Benefit Enhancement<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Texas education retirees depend on modest, fixed pensions to cover their expenses, but inflation continues to erode their purchasing power. The average TRS retiree remains more than 30% behind cumulative inflation. TRS retirees need meaningful relief, and the 90th Legislature has an opportunity to deliver it.<\/p>\n

      The benefit enhancements approved in 2023 demonstrated the Legislature\u2019s commitment to retirees. Now, it is time to take another step forward. We must elect leaders who will fight the effects of inflation and work to provide a pension increase for TRS retirees.<\/p>\n

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      1. Fund TRS-Care<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        For most Texas education retirees, TRS-Care is not one health insurance option among many. It is their primary option for affordable retiree health coverage.<\/p>\n

        TRTA urges the Legislature to provide biennial funding for TRS-Care at statutory contribution rates and support affordable premiums. Health care funding should help protect participants, not shift additional out-of-pocket costs onto the retirees who can least afford them.<\/p>\n

        Make a Plan to Vote<\/h4>\n

        Election Day is November 3, and early voting begins October 19. Now is the time to review the candidates, understand where they stand on issues affecting retired Texas public school personnel, and make a plan to cast your ballot.<\/p>\n

        Key Dates<\/strong><\/p>\n