Mr. Tim Lee with TRTA members Mrs. Dunlap & Mrs. Smith.
Mr. Tim Lee, Executive Director of Texas Retired Teachers Association (above, on right), spoke to more than 40 members and guests of the Freestone County Retired Teachers Association on Thursday, April 2.
TRTA is important to all public-school employees (active and retired) because it is the only organization to advocate for public school retirees. It works toward retirees receiving enhanced financial benefits. This work protects the retirement fund so that active school employees will receive the retirement promised them when they reach retirement age.
TRTA works tirelessly with the state legislature to educate them on the needs of retirees as well as the financial futures of those still working.
As good as TRTA is, it needs the support of retirees and actives educating themselves and contacting legislators on the issues they are facing now and the need to stabilize our retirement fund for the retirees of the future.
Attendees represented Bell, Limestone, Bosque, Navarro, and Freestone Counties.
Mr. Lee shared with the attendees the importance of membership and participation at the local level. He described the 250 local chapters in Texas as the foundation of the strength of TRTA.
He stressed the importance of local members connecting with the elected state officials and their staff. Newly elected officials often need to be educated concerning the needs of current and future retirees.
TRTA is always working toward maintaining security for annuities, reasonable health insurance, and meaningful cost-of-living adjustments. Local members can support their efforts by staying in contact with their elected state officials and encouraging them to support each of these areas.
Mr. Lee highlighted the importance of each person to BE PRESENT—join, participate, support TRTA at the state and local levels.