The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) extends its season’s greetings to all members and friends. As the year draws to a close, we know our dedicated retirees will enjoy spending time with loved ones and celebrating the holidays.
We at TRTA, the Board of Directors and staff, want to express our sincere appreciation to all of you for the support you have given to this great organization in 2018.
Because of you, TRTA is able to participate in vital legislative discussions that impact your retirement benefits, from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) pension fund to health care, and our charitable partner, the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF), has raised more than $75,000 since November for its vital programs to help educators of the past, present and future. You can help TRTF reach $100,000 by donating online today!
The first day of the 86th Texas Legislative Session begins January 8, 2019. TRTA is ready with a comprehensive legislative agenda to help retirees now! Soon members will receive this agenda through the fourth quarter issue of TRTA’s news magazine, The VOICE, scheduled to hit mailboxes next week. Included in this special issue is a letter to legislators that you may complete and return to TRTA.
TRTA’s State Legislative Committee members will hand-deliver your personalized letters to your legislators during their biennial Capitol visits beginning in February. We ask all members to please send their letters no later than January 20, so we may begin sorting them and preparing for these important face-to-face visits. Make your voice known by sending in your letter after you enjoy the holidays!
Your willingness to call, email and visit your elected officials in person also gives a face to the issues of retiree health care and pension funding. We ask all members to begin reaching out to their legislators as soon as possible and establishing those important, personable connections that make all the difference when advocating for public education retirees. Find out who your state legislators are by clicking here.
Be sure to view TRTA’s video series, Retirees Deserve Better, on our YouTube channel to help you brush up on the most significant issues facing retirees today. Feel free to share the videos with your legislators and also any active educators you know.
Read all about TRTA’s legislative platform for the upcoming session here!
TRTA also continues to work with our many friends in Congress to find fair and realistic solutions for the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee made two visits to Washington, D.C. this December to discuss these issues. We will report on the progress of WEP an GPO in the new year.
Thank You
Thank you for your membership to TRTA. If you are not yet a member, we need you to help us protect your retirement security. Please join TRTA today!
If you know someone who should be a member of TRTA who has not yet joined, please consider buying them a TRTA membership—just $35—as a gift for this holiday season!
We hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season!
Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Year-end, tax-deductible donations to TRTF can be made online here.
