Retirees Hear Texas Pension Priorities

Bandera County retired teachers heard legislative priorities ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature's January 12, 2027 session.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Retirement Planning

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stack of gold coins beside a tilted wooden school desk on an open Texas plain under warm light. — Texas retired teachers were briefed Wednesday on legislative priorities, including restoring the Teacher Retirement System to actuarial soundness, ahead of the January 12, 2027 session. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Richard Herbst, District 20 legislative representative, briefed the Bandera County Retired Teachers Association on Wednesday, October 21. He outlined Texas Retired Teachers Association priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature.

Why it matters

The Texas teacher retirement system includes a defined benefit feature, a traditional pension paying a set monthly amount, which the association wants protected for all public education employees. Retirees' benefits depend on decisions the legislature will make when it convenes.

The Bandera County chapter reports 86 members in good standing, and the state association's annual dues will rise from $35 to $48 for 2027-28. Retirees' benefits have averaged about 30% behind inflation, though how the legislature will respond remains unknown.

The players

Richard Herbst

Herbst is the District 20 legislative representative and co-president of the Kendall County Retired Teachers Association, who briefed the group on legislative issues affecting retired educators.

Texas Retired Teachers Association

The state association advocates for retired public educators and set the three legislative priorities for the 90th Texas Legislature.

The details

Herbst reported the Republican position on the defined benefit feature and relayed the Texas Retired Teachers Association's three priorities: restoring the Teacher Retirement System to actuarial soundness, delivering a meaningful benefit enhancement, and fully funding TRS-Care. A projection in the briefing suggested the state would be less likely to fund a cost-of-living adjustment than a one-time 13th check.

October 21, 2026: Bandera County Retired Teachers Association meeting and legislative update.
January 12, 2027: The 90th Texas Legislature convenes.
2027-28: Increased state association dues take effect.
November 18, 2026: Next Bandera County association meeting at Dixie Dude Ranch.

Big Picture

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas, which runs a defined benefit pension, faces the same funding and inflation questions that shape its 90th Legislature agenda. Retirees' benefits lagging inflation has made restoring actuarial soundness a central advocacy goal.

Teachers who are retired or nearing retirement in Texas depend on whether the defined benefit pension receives funding and cost-of-living adjustments. Members should watch the legislative session for changes to TRS benefits and the state association dues increase taking effect for 2027-28.

The takeaway

Retirees should track how the Texas Legislature treats defined benefit pension funding, since those decisions determine whether monthly payments keep up with living costs. Staying connected to a retired teachers association is one practical way to follow the issue.

What happens next

The 90th Texas Legislature convenes January 12, 2027, when the association's priorities will come before lawmakers. The next Bandera County association meeting is November 18, 2026.