More than 1,000 retired educators met in Houston this week at the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) 63rd Annual Convention at the Houston Galleria. Attendees from all over Texas participated in this year’s convention April 10-12. These public education retirees discussed the future of their health care and pension, among other issues.

Attendees also heard from special guest Congressman Kevin Brady about his bill (HR 711) to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Brady’s bill would create a fairer formula for public pensioners who also worked in the private sector and earned Social Security benefits, allowing them to collect more of their earnings upon retirement.

“We’re working on resolving a health care funding crisis,” says TRTA President Fran Plemmons. “The TRSCare retiree health insurance program is expected to have a shortfall of nearly $1.5 billion by the next biennium unless the Texas Legislature addresses it. Our Texas public education retirees live on stagnant incomes and cannot afford huge premium increases. We worked with our legislators during the 84th legislative session to craft a temporary solution for TRS-Care in 2015. Now, we must continue to be diligent to ensure our retirees are protected for the long-term.”

The convention, entitled “Hearts of Texas: TRTA Proud,” focused on keeping retirees motivated during the interim between the 84th and 85th legislative sessions, and helped them strategize for meetings of the special legislative committee appointed to address long-term funding solutions for TRS-Care. Training at the convention this year included topics such as leadership, genealogy and learning to use social media safely.

Members also learned about being more engaged and effective in their grassroots advocacy efforts. “I want our members to know how important it is that we work across the aisle with all legislators,” said Bill Barnes, TRTA State Legislative Coordinator. “We are grateful for the efforts our Senators and Representatives have made so far and feel they genuinely care about us,” concluded Barnes.

“TRS is a strong system that provides retirement security for 1 out of every 20 Texans,” said Tim Lee, TRTA Executive Director. “Every legislator knows someone who is or was an educator, and we are confident that the Legislature will make retirees a priority in 2017,” Lee said.