This week the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) announced that retired teachers will be receiving their one-time supplemental benefit check (commonly referred to as a “13th check”) next Friday, January 14. Those using direct deposit to receive TRS pension checks will likely receive the deposit that same day, but there might be a slight delay in processing the deposit due to Martin Luther King Jr. bank holiday weekend. Members who receive paper checks should expect a regular delay due to postage. The checks should be in an amount either equal to their regular annuity payment or $2,400, whichever is less. Members who retired before the end of 2020 or beneficiaries of a member who died before the end of 2020 are eligible.
The 13th check comes as a result of legislation passed this September. The Texas AFT Legislative Team lobbied for and supported the passage of this bill but have continued to push legislators to pass a much needed and much overdue cost of living adjustment to permanently increase the regular monthly payments which TRS members receive.
For more information on the release of this one-time supplemental payment, check out the FAQ on the TRS website.