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Retiree Plus members make their comeback at TRS board meeting.
Last week, our Retiree Plus members made their comeback at the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) September board meeting. The two-day meeting spanned September 17 and 18th, where the board reviewed TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care reserve policies and investment strategy and received updates on member outreach and data security.
The real meat and potatoes of the meeting started on Friday, Sept. 18 during the TRS committee meetings –– most notably, the Benefits Committee. The committee reviewed reserve policies for both TRS-ActiveCare, which covers active school employees, and TRS-Care, the program that keeps retirees insured. They also sat through a Strategic Asset Allocation educational session focused specifically on TRS-Care Fund strategy, walking through how the retiree health fund's dollars are invested and what mix of assets is expected to sustain it long-term.
The board also gave an annual Member and Employer Outreach update. As part of the presentation, TRS also walked through the highest-traffic pages on its website, with one of the most-visited pages being the “Employment After Retirement” page. It’s no coincidence that more retired educators are looking into how to go back to work as the cost of living continues to rise. Everything is getting more expensive, but fixed annuities are staying flat. This is exactly why Texas AFT keeps fighting for a cost-of-living adjustment tied to inflation –– because after dedicating their careers to educating our kids, they should be able to enjoy their retirement without returning to work.
After the board adjourned on Friday, TRS directors took extra time to give our members a tour of the new building. The presence of our Retiree Plus leaders marked the first time our members have been at a TRS meeting since the agency moved headquarters from Austin’s Red River District to the Mueller neighborhood, and trustees and TRS staff alike were more than happy to see our members back in action.
Retirement doesn't mean retiring from the fight. If you're a retired teacher, get involved with your union. Join Retiree Plus, show up to a board meeting, and make your voice heard. Activists never retire!
