IMPROVING YOUR RETIREMENT
WHO WE ARE
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is the largest association in the nation for retired educators with a history of successful advocacy at both the state and federal level!
Join the only organization that’s advocating for your TRS retirement plan!
WHO WE ARE
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is the largest association in the nation for retired educators with a history of successful advocacy at both the state and federal level!
Join the only organization that’s advocating for your TRS retirement plan!
Members
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LOCAL CHAPTERS
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LOCAL CHAPTERS
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TRTA THROUGH THE YEARS
1953
TRTA IS FOUNDED
Sixty–five of the 200 members of these six local units met and planned the state organization, which became known as the Texas Retired Teachers Association.
TRTA’s first Executive Director was Mr. E.L. Galyean.
1990s
CPI CATCH-UP
In the 1990s, a four-phase Consumer Price Index Catch-Up Plan was created by the TRTA Legislative Committee under the leadership of Mike Lehr. It was designed to increase annuities for TRS members whose incomes were 15 to 115% below the CPI.
2013
COLA & TRS FUNDING
TRTA was instrumental in passing landmark legislation (Senate Bill 1458) during the 83rd Legislative Session that made the TRS pension fund actuarially sound for the first time in many years. 200,000 TRS retirees received their first permanent cost– of–living increase since 2001 under this bill.
2015
TRS-CARE FUNDING
TRTA kept TRS-Care, the state-run health care program for retired educators, affordable by convincing the Texas Legislature to add $768 million! While the program would face later changes, TRTA's advocacy kept the critical health care afloat during the tumultuous shortfalls!
2019 & 2021
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS
TRTA members led the charge to raise the state's contributions to the Teacher Retirement System's (TRS) pension plan. These increases not only resulted in the pension plan becoming actuarially sound, but also allowed retirees to receive multiple supplemental payments.
2023
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE
After many TRS retirees went 20 years without receiving a cost-of-living adjustment, TRTA pressured the Texas Legislature to finally approve a cost-of-living increase and supplemental payment. The COLA was contingent on the passage of Prop 9 on the November ballot. Prop 9 received the most votes of any ballot initiative in 2023!
2025
WEP & GPO REPEALED
The 40-year battle to repeal the arbitrary and harmful Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset finally came to an end after TRTA formed a national coalition and applied pressure on the U.S. Congress. Millions of Americans received their full Social Security benefits as well as back pay due to this monumental legislation!
MEMBER TESTIMONIALS
Michelle Radcliff
Michelle Radcliff
Recently, I received the direct deposit back-pay and notice of increased benefits. Also I got a SSA Verification of Benefits letter.
The back-pay is a welcomed relief to replenish some of the financial losses that I have experienced from two major hurricanes and medical setbacks. For the first time in many years, I will be able to pay my bills using only monthly income.
I am especially thankful to the TRTA staff for your weekly updates and encouragement to all who are impacted from WEP/GPO. You are filling the gaps with info from SSA.
My advice to those who are still waiting is to stay hopeful and vigilant in your communication with SSA and other support services. Continue to document (for yourself) all SSA update notes and those from the outstanding TRTA webinar team.
Once again, my appreciation for providing this tremendous and individualized service to the Texas and nationwide community. I am not a TRS retiree but I plan to renew TRTA membership!
Terri Navrkal
I’m a retired educator from the Lubbock Independent School District. When I retired in 2011, I knew that I wanted to get involved in a professional organization that was going to advocate for my benefits as a retiree. So I joined the Texas Retired Teachers Association, TRTA.
TRTA is important to me because it keeps me informed. It keeps me up to date with what is going on in Austin regarding the defined benefit plan and our health care benefits. I wanna be protected, and that is what TRTA does for me. Another reason that I joined is because TRTA has local units all around the state of Texas. Lubbock has one right here in our community.
It’s a great place to meet new people, make new friends, enjoy the camaraderie and the fellowship of people that you’ve worked with and haven’t seen in a while. And it’s an opportunity to attend a meeting because you want to attend the meeting, not because you have to attend the meeting. Help us reach our goal of 100,000 members.
I think you’d enjoy us, and we’d love to have you on board.
Terri Navrkal
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
Enjoy These Benefits with Your Membership:
- Support Your Retirement: Join the only organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for your TRS retirement plan, the Texas Retired Teachers Association.
- Valuable Health Discounts: Access dental and vision coverage with no waiting periods and year-round open enrollment.
- Stay Informed: Receive The VOICE, our quarterly news bulletin, packed with updates and insights on key retirement issues affecting you.
- More Member Perks: Enjoy additional benefits like professional liability insurance and much more!
TRTA Membership Year is July 1-June 30. Dues are not tax-deductible and are non-refundable.
Sign up for the Inside Line
The Inside Line is our free email newsletter that provides updates on issues pertaining to pension, health insurance, Social Security, and other important retired educator information.
