Current and Retired Public-Ed Employees - Time for Some Homework - Assignment #1

 

Assignment #1

KNOW THE ACRONYMS KNOW THE FACTS EDUCATE OTHERS

 

            Public-ed retirees need a COLA. I’m not talking about the popular drink in the bright red can. I’m talking about a cost-of-living adjustment. I retired from teaching in 2013, and I have never received one because the Texas Legislature refuses to pass legislation that directs the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) to provide it. How is that possible?

            Before I go on, I want to remind you, once again, that Teacher Retirement System is a misnomer because it is the retirement system for all public-education retirees, including our custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, school nurses, librarians, sign-language interpreters, classroom aides, cafeteria staff, police officers, maintenance staff, administrators, and anyone else employed by school districts in Texas. I actually can’t believe that not one Texas legislator has deemed it essential to change the name.  After all, it is terribly misleading.

            According to the retirement system’s website, “TRS is the largest public retirement system in Texas in both membership and assets. As of August, 31 2020, the agency is serving nearly 1.7 million participants. System assets total nearly $187 billion.”

            Let’s take a closer look.  According to the Consumer Price Index Inflation Calculator, “$1 in 2013 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $1.18 today, an increase of $0.18 over 8 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 2.06% per year between 2013 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 17.75%.  This means that today's prices are 1.18 times higher than average prices since 2013, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index. A dollar today only buys 84.75% of what it could buy back then.”

            And many of us have been cringing as we’ve watched prices on gas, groceries, medications, and more continue to climb. But no COLA.

            You might wonder when the Texas Legislature last approved a COLA for TRS retirees. It’s easy to trace in the TRS History of Benefit Changes. Actually, it was in 2013…BUT…that was only for TRS annuitants who retired on or before August 31, 2004. It was a 3 percent COLA, capped at no more than $100 per month. You wonder why I often say we’re thirsty for a COLA?  Because there hasn’t been a single one for the past 17 years!

            Now compare that to retirees who earn Social Security benefits. Just since 2013, they have received a COLA every year except 2015. For 2021, their COLA is 5.9 percent. For TRS retirees: a big, fat zero.

Did you know most Texas school districts do not allow employees to pay into Social Security? For those of us who are in that situation, the only way we can get Social Security is if we worked other jobs before, during, or after our public-ed employment. But even then, it’s complicated because of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). More on these NEED-TO-KNOW acronyms for current and retired public-ed employees in a future lesson.

            During the Second Called Special Session in 2021, the 87^th Texas Legislature passed—and the governor signed—Senate Bill 7, which authorizes a one-time 13^th check for TRS retirees, paid out in January 2022. TRS retirees whose pension checks are less than $2400 will receive a check equal to the amount of their monthly annuity. Those whose checks are $2400 or more will receive a check for $2400, the cap on this 13^th check.

            How much do you think TRS retirees earn each month? According to the TRS publication, A Great Value for All Texans, here is the 2020 monthly benefit distribution for TRS retirees:

 

            The next time you go to fill up your tank, buy groceries, go to have a medical exam performed, or pick up a prescription, think about someone you know who spent his or her career in public education and who retired over the past 17 years. Think about that person you know not having a single COLA for 17 years.

            No wonder we’re thirsty.

NEXT LESSON: What can YOU do about it?

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now works as a freelance writer and editor and is committed to education, educators, and students. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen.)