Letters to the Editor

Improve Teachers’ Retirement

To the Editor:

On November 7, 2023 Texas voters will have the opportunity to vote on 14 Texas Constitutional Amendments. I am writing today about Amendment # 9.

I retired from 34 years of teaching in 2006. I have received retirement benefits from the Teacher Retirement System for 17 years. I am still getting the same amount from TRS that I received in 2006. Yes, I have received two, 13 month checks during those 17 years, but no cost of living adjustment. I am a widow and am not eligible for any, not one penny, of my husband’s Social Security, since I taught for 20 years in La Grange and 14 in Clear Creek, neither of which paid into Social Security. With inflation the way it is, my buying power is diminished drastically.

Proposition 9 will provide a COLA (cost of living adjustment) for retired teachers on the following scale:

• 2% for teachers who retired Sept. 1, 2013 to Aug. 31, 2020

• 4% for teachers who retired Sept. 1, 2001 to Aug. 31, 2013

• 6% for teachers who retired before Aug. 31, 2001 Teachers who have been retired the longest made much less prior to retirement and thus receive less than teachers who retired later and a great deal less than teachers teaching today will receive when they retire.

In addition, the monies are already there for this increase. The Texas Legislature has already set aside the money to fund the COLA pending voter approval. No new taxes on the public will be levied.

Please vote FOR Proposition 9 on Nov. 7. Keep in mind if you are able to read and comprehend this a teacher enabled those two skills.