Public pension leadership requires knowledge that reaches well beyond investments. Trustees and administrators must understand fiduciary responsibility, board governance, economics, actuarial principles, retirement research, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the day-to-day work of managing an organization. They must also continue developing the communication and leadership skills needed to work effectively with fellow board members, staff, consultants, policymakers, and plan participants. With those responsibilities in mind, TEXPERS has assembled a reading list of 15 books published or scheduled for publication in 2026. The selections cover four broad areas:

Texas added more jobs than any other state during the 12 months ending in July 2026, gaining 165,600 nonfarm positions. For public pension trustees and administrators, the government-workforce trend in Texas also deserves attention. Government employment declined during the same period, according to an announcement from Gov. Greg Abbott, while detailed federal data show the decrease totaled 4,800 jobs.