The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees has been meeting for the past two days. Among the key items considered was the approval of new health care providers for both the active (TRS-ActiveCare) and retired (TRS-Care) health care programs. The Board decided to stay with the same providers for each program that are currently in place, pending successful negotiation of contracts.
Starting in January 2027, the provider for TRS-Care Standard will be Blue Cross Blue Shield. Also beginning in January 2027, the provider for TRS-Care Medicare Advantage will be UnitedHealth Group.
Starting in September 2026, the provider for TRS-ActiveCare will be Blue Cross Blue Shield.
TRS also released the 2025 TRS Health Annual Report, which provides a detailed look at TRS-Care financials, funding dynamics, and history. The report offers transparency into how TRS manages costs and continues to strengthen the long-term sustainability of TRS-Care.
Board Reviews Experience Study
Every four years, TRS completes an actuarial experience study as a major part of assessing the health of the pension fund. The TRS actuary tests all major assumptions used to measure the value of the fund against actual experience and makes recommendations so the board can adjust assumptions going forward. This helps ensure that fund measurements remain as accurate as possible.
For example, the board is responsible for setting the assumed rate of investment return, inflation factors, payroll growth in schools, and other key assumptions. Changes to these assumptions can affect the funding period and the actuarial soundness of the pension fund.
The TRS actuary, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company, recommended minor changes to two major areas: the rate of growth of public education employer contributions and the regrouping of data associated with turnover rates in public education. The net effect of these changes would add one year to the TRS actuarial funding period. The TRS Board will consider and vote on these changes at its April meeting.
Board Receives Update on Pension Benefits Study
The 2025 Legislature required TRS to study the pension system’s benefits design and submit a report before the next legislative session. This study will compare TRS’ current defined benefit plan with alternative benefit plan designs and will consider workforce and demographic trends for active members and retirees, along with any fiscal impacts of alternative designs.
The Legislature previously required similar studies in 2012 and 2018, comparing the defined benefit program to defined contribution-style alternatives. This current study will also examine alternatives similar to changes made to the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) plan in 2021, which implemented a hybrid-style pension plan for new employees and closed the defined benefit program to new entrants.
TRS provided an update at this board meeting regarding demographic trends and changes among both active members and retirees. The final report is expected later this year.
TRTA is closely monitoring this study and its implications for our defined benefit program, as well as our ability to receive regular cost-of-living adjustments or one-time supplemental payments in the future. We encourage members to ask their legislators and legislative candidates about their support for maintaining the TRS defined benefit pension for all employees and for supporting benefit increases that help retirees keep up with inflation over time.
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