Every two years, the Legislature convenes to deliberate and establish the adjustments to state employee compensation, which includes determining pay raises, setting the parameters for pension plans, and outlining the details of healthcare benefits. 

As your friends at the Capitol, TPEA has been advocating on behalf of state employees and retirees, ensuring your voices and concerns are heard during the critical Joint Budget Hearings. Our team has been actively engaged in providing comprehensive testimony, supporting state agencies in their pursuit to secure much-needed pay raises for their hardworking employees.

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Retired state employee, Carroll Fuchs, testifies why retirees need a benefit enhancement.
Joint Budget Hearing: Employees Retirement System (ERS)

Retirees desperately need a meaningful benefit enhancement. It's been almost a quarter of a century.

TPEA is also passionately advocating for enhanced benefits for our retirees at the Budget Board Hearings. Retired State Employees helped dedicate their careers to help Texas grow and become a great state it is today. It's time to help them!

According to a retired state economist, the upcoming 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is set to impact only 25% of retirees, with an average increase of merely $55 per month. We need to rally together and urge our Legislators to pass a meaningful benefit enhancement to truly support all of our retirees.

TPEA Advocate for Active and Retired State Employees

Texas state employees have been the backbone of our vast and diverse regions, contributing tirelessly to its growth and upkeep. With dedicated individuals, they strive to serve and support the citizens of Texas every day. As we gear up for the upcoming legislative session, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being and support of our invaluable employees.

We understand the vital role state workers play in maintaining the functions of our government and the importance of fair compensation in reflecting their dedication and service. Therefore, TPEA is committed to persistently working towards achieving better financial outcomes, not just for current employees, but also for those who have dedicated years of service and are now in retirement.

#ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
ELECTION INFO:

On October 1st, we asked every retired state employee to call the Lt. Governor's office at (512) 463-0001. You can find talking points by clicking here.

ERS August 21 Board Meeting Recap

Insights into the current status of our health plan

  • For the first time since 2017, ERS has successfully managed to sustain our health plan without requiring additional funding. However, in light of escalating medical and drug expenses, ERS has identified the necessity for extra financial support during the upcoming Legislative Session this year.
  • Retired state employees are typically eligible for fully paid health insurance from the State of Texas based on their years of service at retirement. The slight increase for those including a spouse.
  • The ERS Plan will be financially sound for the first time in over 20 years. This annual actuarial valuation will be presented to the ERS Board of Trustees at the December 2024 meeting. The one-time COLA is limited to ERS retirees who have been retired for more than 20 years at the time the COLA is granted and is capped at the lesser of 3% of the monthly benefit or $100. Projections estimate 25% of ERS retirees will be eligible for the one-time COLA and more than 90% of those eligible will get the full 3%.  
  • *Both Ann Bishop and Ray Hymel from TPEA testified on behalf of retired state employees at the ERS board meeting for a dignified benefit enhancement for all retired state employees.

** In December, ERS Board to take action related to COLA at the next meeting. You are encouraged to join in. Click here to learn more.

On May 16, 2024, TPEA's Executive Director sent a letter to Agency Directors to offer input to their agency's FY 2026-2027 biennial Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) on the significant positive benefits to state agencies, ERS and employees from the across the board pay raises granted in the last legislative session.

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The Legislative Budget Board (LBB) has scheduled a series of Joint Budget Hearings (JBH) for all agencies to present their LARs, including any additional funding requests, known as Exceptional Item Requests (EIR).

 

Join TPEA Today

If you're an active or retired state employee, it's important to have a professional and effective advocate on your side to protect your valuable benefits. Without such representation, there is no guarantee that your benefits won't be reduced or eliminated. Joining TPEA is an affordable investment that ensures you have a respected voice at the Capitol advocating for your interests and protecting the benefits that are crucial for your financial well-being. With each new member, our voice gets heard by more Legislators.

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