By Patricia A. Maurer
Like many Texans of his generation, my dad favored old expressions. I once remember hearing him tell my mom the story of a neighbor who was down on his luck. “Poor old guy, worked like a mule all his life, and now forced to go hat in hand to care for his family.” The saying, hat in hand, refers to someone who doffs their hat as an act of humility when asking for something, usually money. Oddly, this expression came to mind when thinking about an issue that will come before the voters of Texas on election day, November 7, 2023.
On November 7, 2023, the voters of Texas are going to be asked to approve Proposition 9 which authorizes a COLA or Cost of Living Adjustment for some, not all, retired school employees. This group includes teachers, nurses, counselors, secretaries, librarians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, administrators, anyone who paid into the TRS system long enough to be eligible for benefits. Note, TRS benefits are earned benefits, contributions are deducted from salaries. They are not a handout, but in today’s inflationary market, those earned benefits are far from a free ride.
To create context and bring my hat in hand reference to life, consider these realities. Most public-school retirees have not received a cost-of-living adjustment to their earned benefits in twenty years. Some 130,000 retired school employees make $1,000 a month or less, hardly a gravy train, and the average TRS benefit of $2,174 before taxes does not sound much better. To make matters worse, most retired school employees are not eligible to collect social security, not their own benefits or their spouse’s benefits. That makes their TRS pension a primary source of income for many, and many are hurting.
I give the Texas Legislature due credit, 100 percent of the members of both houses voted to approve this cost-of-living increase for TRS annuitants. When last did you read that the Texas Legislature had total consensus about any issue? Bottom line, your elected officials, both Republican and Democrat, recognized this as a critical need, and I don’t know a TRS annuitant that is not grateful.
In acknowledging this need, the Legislature indicated a willingness to commit an estimated $3.3 billion dollars from the state budget to cover the costs. Because the Legislature was blessed with an enormous budget surplus this biennium, the commitment required no new taxes, not now and not ever. Point of fact, with 95% of TRS annuitants living in Texas, the surplus was one they helped to build, and anything they gain goes right back into our economy.
Additionally, while the total package is large, individual cost-of-living adjustments will be quite modest. If passed, Prop 9 provides a 2% increase for 150,000 TRS annuitants (those who retired between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2020), a 4% increase for 195,000 TRS annuitants (those who retired between September 1, 2001 and August 31, 2013), and a 6% increase for 75,000 TRS annuitants (those who retired on or before August 31, 2001).
Do the math. An annuitant eligible for the 6% COLA is probably one of the oldest in the group. If fortunate enough to receive an earned benefit of $2,174 a month, which is highly unlikely, they would receive an additional $130 a month. The increase won’t pay for a vacation, but it might pay for medication, groceries, electric bills, and home repairs, all while contributing to the local economy.
Here’s where I come hat in hand on behalf of retired educators in Texas. The money for this cost-of-living increase is in the budget. The Legislature has authorized its use for this purpose. However, forty-five years ago, the voters of Texas approved a constitutional spending cap that limits growth in appropriations from one biennium to the next, and this budget item is caught in the crosshairs. Unless the voters of Texas approve Prop 9 and signal their support, the initiative will die.
One out of every 20 Texans is a member of TRS. You know a TRS retiree. They are your neighbors, family members, part of your church community, your friends. They were loyal public servants and deserve support. More importantly, they probably helped to care for and to educate your children. Sadly, many in this inflationary environment are down on their luck, no exaggeration, just facts. You can show that you care by voting yes for Prop 9 on November 7!
Patricia Maurer’s career in education spans 54 years, 35 years in Texas public schools, 17 years at an independent school, and 2 years as a homeschooling granny. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UT Austin and a master’s degree from Tarleton State University. She lives in Midland with her husband, Dr. Bill Maurer.
