SB 12 takes a principled conservative approach to pension reform and is the right thing to do for our retired teachers.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following unanimous passage of Senate Bill 12 the Retired Teachers Security Act by Sen. Joan Huffman R-Houston:
I have repeatedly told our retired teachers that my goal is to keep the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) solvent forever. Senate Bill 12 which unanimously passed the Texas Senate today provides a secure pathway to achieving that goal.
SB 12 takes a principled conservative approach to pension reform and will bring actuarial soundness to TRS. Ensuring that Texas doesnt get mired in mounting pension debt as we see in too many other states must remain a top priority for Texas."
SB 12 will also provide a 13th check for retired teachers in 2020. TRS is the 13th largest pension system in the world. It provides benefits to over 420000 people. Under Lt. Gov. Patricks leadership the state has added over a billion dollars to TRS Care including $200 million in the 2017 Special Session. In September Lt. Gov. Patrick took the lead in asking the TRS Board not to raise health care premiums so that retired teachers would not have to bear that additional burden.
