Nicholas A. Merrick, chairman of the Dallas Police and Fire Pension Fund (DPFP) Board of Trustees, has been nominated by Pres. Donald Trump as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

On Feb. 13, 2025, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced committee assignments for the 89th Legislature, a decision that will shape the direction of key financial and pension-related policies in the state. Among the most critical assignments for Texas public employee pension system stakeholders is the Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee (PIFS). This committee oversees legislation related to state and local retirement systems, financial institutions, and investment policies that impact pension funds.

The TEXPERS 2025 Annual Conference is just around the corner, and we can't wait to welcome you to Austin, Texas, from March 29 - April 2, 2025! This premier event is your opportunity to network, learn, and stay ahead of the latest trends in public employee pensions and investments.

The Pension Review Board has launched a new online continuing education course: “Texas Systems Reporting and Compliance.” This course is designed to help system administrators and trustees understand the agency's public pension oversight, reporting requirements, and compliance best practices—all from the convenience of an online platform.

Keeping Texas public pension trustees and administrators informed on key industry developments.

Staying ahead of economic shifts, policy changes, and market movements is crucial for public pension funds, institutional investors, and retirement professionals. This week’s developments highlight a mix of economic optimism, policy initiatives, and investment challenges. Below, we break down key stories shaping the landscape, providing The Story and Why It Matters to help you navigate these changes.

The Texas Tribune is kicking off an insightful series of events as part of its 2025 Texas Legislature Series. These events promise to deliver in-depth discussions on critical issues shaping the future of Texas. While the programs may not specifically focus on public employees, pensions, or investments, they are packed with valuable insights that can impact all Texans, including TEXPERS members.

Joseph Gagen is the featured speaker for the upcoming Legislative Advocacy Workshop hosted by the Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems (TEXPERS) on Feb. 4 and 5, 2025, at the Hyatt House Austin/Downtown in Austin, Texas. This two-day event equips trustees and administrators with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for the protection and sustainability of defined benefit plans during the 89th Texas Legislature.

The U.S. Senate today, Dec. 21, overwhelmingly passed the Social Security Fairness Act with a 76-20 bipartisan vote, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These longstanding federal policies have denied nearly 3 million public employees, including police officers, firefighters, postal workers, and teachers, their full Social Security benefits.

As the holiday season approaches, we at TEXPERS want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to our members for their unwavering support and dedication throughout 2024. This year has been one of growth, achievement, and community, and it would not have been possible without you.

Welcome to this week’s roundup of essential updates and resources curated specifically for trustees, administrators, and stakeholders in the pension fund and financial governance space. Here are the highlights to keep on your radar:

The movement to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) has reached a critical moment. After the U.S. House passed the Social Security Fairness Act in November, the Senate is preparing for a decisive vote that could happen at any moment. The bill would restore full Social Security benefits to approximately 2.8 million public employees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, whose benefits have been unfairly reduced by these provisions. (Source: MSN News)

As we approach the new year, TEXPERS revisits the biggest cybersecurity stories of 2024, highlighting the escalating cyber threats that have significantly impacted retirement systems.

Welcome to this week's roundup of the most impactful developments in pensions, investments, and the broader economic landscape. As we monitor trends shaping retirement systems and public employees' financial well-being, it's equally important to keep a pulse on economic shifts influencing these sectors. Here's what caught our attention this week:

TEXPERS' Legislative Committee Chairperson Tyler Grossman is hopeful the Senate will now expand Social Security benefits to public employee pensioners, as the House passed Social Security Fairness Act enjoys rare bipartisan support on Nov. 12. But he says despite the measure's favorable odds, now isn't the time to relax.

Welcome to this week's roundup of the most impactful developments in pensions, investments, and the broader economic landscape. As we monitor trends shaping retirement systems and public employees' financial well-being, it's equally important to keep a pulse on economic shifts influencing these sectors. Here's what caught our attention this week:

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, on behalf of the TEXPERS Board of Directors, I want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your continued engagement and dedication to the Association's mission. Your support and involvement are the cornerstones of TEXPERS' success, and we are truly thankful for each of you.

New training rules will be in place beginning Jan. 1, 2025, ensuring that pension trustees and administrators are fully prepared for the challenges of managing public pension funds.

Welcome back to our weekly roundup, where we highlight the latest and most impactful news in pensions, investments, and the broader economic landscape. This week brought significant events, including new policy updates affecting retirement funds, shifts in market conditions, discussions around local pension plans, and even a dash of professional development. Staying informed is crucial for anyone involved in the pension world, whether you're a trustee, manager, or advocate for retirement security.

Welcome to this week's roundup of recent developments impacting the retirement systems landscape. As trustees and administrators of public employee pension systems, staying abreast of these ongoing issues can help shape your decision-making and inform you of potential changes across Texas and beyond. Below are a few key updates.