Understanding how long people expect to live doesn’t just influence their personal retirement choices; it also shapes how they value lifetime benefits. For trustees and administrators of public pension systems, this awareness gap presents a significant challenge to effective communication.

When the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) temporarily halted operations during the recent federal government shutdown, one independent research firm stepped in to fill the gap. Revelio Labs released its Revelio Public Labor Statistics (RPLS) report, estimating that the U.S. economy added 60,000 jobs in September, according to a press release.

Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed four new members to the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) Board of Trustees, which oversees retirement benefits for employees of more than 800 cities across Texas.

Each year, TEXPERS brings together the trustees, administrators, and service providers who guide more than $32.7 billion in public pension assets for Texas’ municipal, police, and firefighter employees. For sponsors, the Annual Conference isn’t just an event—it’s an opportunity to align your brand with fiduciary leadership, investment excellence, and long-term public service.

A wave of retirements and campaign announcements is reshaping the 2026 election season for Texas lawmakers.

A looming federal government shutdown could cause headaches for Texas public retirement system trustees and administrators who frequently travel for board meetings, training, and conferences, even though commercial flights are expected to continue operating.

The Texas Local Fire Fighters Retirement Act Educational Foundation will host its annual Educational Conference Oct. 5–7, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Convention Center, 500 Cypress St., Abilene, Texas. The three-day event will bring together trustees, administrators, investment professionals, and service providers to focus on governance, education, and the future of firefighter pension systems.

The global energy sector is entering a period of uncertainty that could affect investment decisions, according to the Reuters Events Energy Transition Insights Report 2025. For trustees and administrators of Texas public employee retirement systems, understanding these shifts is important for evaluating risks, monitoring portfolio exposure, and ensuring fiduciary oversight in a changing market. Note: Readers must sign up with Reuters Events to download the full Global Energy Markets Insights Report.

On Sept. 27, people across the country will roll up their sleeves for National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. From planting trees to cleaning trails, it is a day when communities come together to give back. Entry to all national parks is free, making it a celebration of both service and access.

Staying ahead of retirement trends isn’t just about portfolio returns—it’s also about understanding where retirees live and what factors shape their quality of life. WalletHub’s annual “Best & Worst Places to Retire” reports—covering both states and cities—offer a window into those realities.

The Texas Pension Review Board meets Sept. 25 in Austin, and what happens there matters to every trustee and administrator managing a public employee retirement system in Texas. The agenda covers funding policies, compliance, and investment oversight — the very issues that shape how our systems operate and plan for the future.

Many older retirement investors are more cautious about stocks than they need to be; however, a new study finds that financial advisors often recommend higher equity allocations — advice that could actually help households achieve better long-term outcomes.

Over the past two decades, 11 million more U.S. households have paid off their mortgages, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. That’s good news for retirement readiness among public employees. But the story isn’t all positive—the majority of homes are still owned with mortgages, and that reality underscores the financial pressures trustees and administrators must keep in mind as we plan for the future of our systems.

The terrorist attacks of Sept.  11, 2001, caused significant loss of life and lasting trauma for our nation. The events of that day, the emergency response, and the acts of selflessness—from individuals sworn to duty and everyday people alike—remain powerful reminders of the value of public service. Today, on Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, we honor the victims and the heroes of 9/11. We also reflect on the millions of public employees who serve our communities every day—teachers, police officers, firefighters, city workers, and countless others who form the backbone of civic life in Texas and across the country.

The Texas Pension Review Board (PRB) will hold its next board meeting at 10 a.m. on Thurs., Sept. 25, 2025, at the William P. Clements Building, Fourth Floor, Room 402, 300 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701. The meeting is open to the public, with a virtual option available via Zoom. 

Nevada's Aug. 30 ransomware shutdown shows how fast entire systems—even pensions—could be paralyzed by a single cyber strike.

Texas lawmakers officially adjourned the 89th Legislature’s 2nd Called Special Session sine die on Sept. 4, 2025—a Latin phrase meaning “without day,” which signals the final adjournment of a legislative session with no set date to reconvene. The move closed out the session without advancing any new legislation directly affecting public pensions, investments, or retirement benefits. Despite calls from retiree advocates for a supplemental “13th check,” the issue was not included in the Governor’s call, according to the Texas Public Employees Association.

For pension fund trustees and administrators, understanding workforce trends is essential to anticipating contribution flows and retirement readiness. The U.S. Census Bureau on Sept. 3 released Educational Attainment in the United States: 2024, a table package examining the education levels of adults age 18 and older. The findings provide valuable insight into the economic and demographic forces that shape public pension systems.

(An update to our Aug. 27 post: “Two Proxy Advisory Firms Suing State Over New Law”.) A U.S. federal judge has blocked enforcement of Senate Bill 2337 (SB 2337)—the new Texas law targeting proxy advisory firms—before it could take effect, according to Reuters.