Last week, retired educators began receiving their long-awaited supplemental pension payments capped at $2,000 from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas—the so-called 13th check authorized by the Texas Legislature last spring. We know that our retirees are thankful for this 13th check, but we also know this has to be seen as the first step toward ensuring financial security for all retirees on TRS pensions with a permanent cost-of-living increase.

What: News Conference to advocate a permanent cost-of-living increase in 2021 and to highlight the stories of retired educators who are struggling to make ends meets. (Some TRS members) haven’t received a pension increase in almost 15 years.) Retirees also will reveal survey results and comments from more 1,000 retired school employees asked how they would use their 13th check and what financial issues are impacting them without a permanent increase.

(Note: The TRS Board of Trustees will be meeting at the same time.)

When:             Friday, September 20, 10:30 a.m.

Where:            Teacher Retirement System of Texas

 1000 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701

Who:               More than a dozen members of Texas AFT’s retiree group—Retiree Plus—and union leaders.

Texas American Federation of Teachers represents more than 65,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, support personnel, and higher-education employees across the state. Texas AFT is affiliated with the 1.6-million-member American Federation of Teachers.