Texas House Bill HB917

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 1/26/11
• Refer: 2/24/11

Caption

Relating to benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Impact

The passage of HB 917 will have a significant impact on state laws governing public retirement systems, specifically the Teacher Retirement System. With the defined adjustments to annuity payments and the introduction of annual cost-of-living increases, the legislation seeks to alleviate financial pressures on retirees, promoting a more sustainable living standard for this demographic. The one-time supplemental payment is particularly designed to support those who retired or had beneficiaries active prior to specific date thresholds, ensuring they receive adequate benefits aligned with current economic conditions.

Summary

House Bill 917 is an act aimed at enhancing the financial benefits provided by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The bill introduces a 10 percent increase in monthly service and disability retirement benefits, alongside a provision for a four percent annual cost-of-living adjustment for these benefits. It also includes a one-time supplemental payment that will benefit eligible annuitants, ensuring they receive not less than $2,000 or their gross regular annuity payment. These changes aim to provide more substantial financial assistance to retired educators and beneficiaries of the retirement system.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 917 appears generally favorable among its proponents, including educators and advocacy groups for retired teachers. They perceive this bill as a necessary measure to address the financial challenges faced by retirees and to ensure that their benefits remain relevant to the cost of living. Conversely, there may be concerns raised around the sourcing of funds for these adjustments, although detailed opposition sentiments were not highlighted in the discussions reviewed.

Contention

While the overall tone of the discussions around HB 917 leans towards support, there remains an underlying contention regarding the sustainability of the funding mechanisms for these new benefits. Stakeholders may raise questions about whether increased benefits can be maintained without straining the financial resources of the Teacher Retirement System in the long term. Additionally, there may be debates centered around the eligibility thresholds for the supplemental payment and the definitions outlined for annuitants.