Two Proxy Advisory Firms Suing State Over New Law

Two of the nation's largest proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, are suing the State of Texas over a new law that could directly affect how public pension funds and trustees receive shareholder voting guidance.

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Keep the Momentum Going: Your 10-Minute Post-Forum Checklist in Whova

The 2025 Summer Educational Forum, presented by Dimensional Fund Advisors, may be over, but your learning and networking don’t have to be. The Whova mobile and web app remain open, so you can swap templates, line up quick peer chats, and grab sponsor resources tailored to public plans.

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2025 TEXPERS Summer Educational Forum in El Paso: A Premier Event for Public Pension Education and Networking

From Aug. 3–5, 2025, 274 trustees, administrators, and industry professionals convened in El Paso, Texas, for the TEXPERS Summer Educational Forum—offering three days packed with professional development, pension fund governance insights, and networking built on a foundation of retirement security for public employees.

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Former Dallas Police Officer and TEXPERS Board Member Rector McCollum Dies at 69

Rector “Choc” McCollum, a retired Dallas police sergeant and longtime advocate for public employee retirement systems, died July 16 in Plano. He was 69.

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Sponsor Spotlight: Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman LLP Brings a Refreshing Twist to the Forum Welcome Reception

TEXPERS is proud to welcome Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman LLP (BLBG) as the official sponsor of this year’s Fiduciary Fizz Mocktail, the signature drink of the 2025 Summer Educational Forum’s Networking Welcome Reception on Sunday, Aug. 3, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Paso Del Norte Lobby of the El Paso Convention Center.

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Texas PRB Reviews Pension Funding Trends, Actuarial Updates

Texas Pension Review Board staff actuary David Fee and agency intern Annika Leong, briefed board members July 10 on the latest steps in the Funding Soundness Restoration Plan. Their report outlined shifts in actuarial assumptions, valuation timing, key system statistics, and statewide funding trends, highlighting both system-specific changes and broader patterns in public pension liabilities and assumptions.

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Dimensional Fund Advisors Returns as Presenting Sponsor for TEXPERS 2025 Summer Educational Forum

TEXPERS is proud to welcome back Dimensional Fund Advisors as the Presenting Sponsor of our 2025 Summer Educational Forum, taking place August 3–5 in El Paso, Texas.

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Hotel Room Block Deadline Extended to July 18 — Special Rate Still Available

TEXPERS has extended the deadline to reserve rooms in the official hotel block to July 18, 2025, for the 2025 Summer Educational Forum, presented by Dimensional Fund Advisors. Held Aug. 3–5 at the El Paso Convention Center in El Paso, the forum provides state-approved continuing education hours for public retirement system trustees and administrators. The official event hotel is the Hotel Paso del Norte (Autograph Collection).

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AFL-CIO Scorecard Highlights Lawmaker Support for Public Employees and Retirees

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has released its Pro‑Worker Scorecard for the 89th Texas Legislative Session, grading state lawmakers on their alignment with ten legislative priorities aimed at improving wages, benefits, and workplace conditions across Texas. For public employees and those overseeing retirement systems, the scorecard provides insight into where elected officials stand on issues that can impact compensation, benefits, and long-term retirement security.

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TEXPERS Announces Pomerantz LLP as Lanyard Sponsor for the Association's 2025 Summer Educational Forum

The box has just arrived and is nearly overflowing with ribbons for the 2025 TEXPERS Summer Educational Forum, thanks to sponsor Pomerantz LLP, the official Lanyard Sponsor of the event.

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Legislative Wins for Older Texans: What They Mean for Public Employee Pension Systems

In a June 2025 blog post, AARP Texas highlighted a range of legislative achievements for older Texans: enhanced fraud protection, stronger standards for long‑term care, expanded housing support, judicial training, and a proposed Dementia Prevention & Research Institute. While not all bills directly reference pensions, they have clear implications for fund administrators in policy, risk management, and member communication.

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Sponsors Announced for TEXPERS' 2025 Pre-Forum Soccer Social

TEXPERS is excited to announce the sponsors supporting the Pre-Forum Soccer Social taking place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in El Paso, Texas, ahead of the Association’s Summer Educational Forum.

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Debbie Muñoz Named Executive Director of TMRS

The Texas Municipal Retirement System has named Debbie Muñoz as its new executive director, according to a statement posted on the organization’s homepage at www.tmrs.com.

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Completing the Journey

America is facing a wave of retirements that is unprecedented in modern history. Each day in 2025, more than 11,000 Americans from the baby boomer generation will reach the retirement age of sixty-five. They will find themselves confronted by a decision they likely did not give much thought to prior to retirement: do they keep their retirement assets in their employer’s plan, roll them over to an IRA, or withdraw them as a lump-sum distribution? For most employees, the accumulation phase of saving for retirement is discussed far more frequently than the decumulation phase. Plan sponsors and retirees may be unaware of the benefits afforded to both parties by leaving assets in the plan, and the lack of awareness can often create plans that are not very friendly to retirees. A deeper understanding of these benefits can help plan sponsors better care for their participants’ assets and individual needs. 

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10 Reasons to Attend the TEXPERS 2025 Summer Educational Forum in El Paso

Trustees and administrators of Texas public employee pension systems carry the critical responsibility of safeguarding retirement benefits for thousands of public servants. To do the job well, staying current on industry trends, governance practices, and regulatory expectations is essential. The TEXPERS 2025 Summer Educational Forum, presented by Dimensional Fund Advisors and held Aug. 3–5, 2025, in El Paso, offers the perfect opportunity to do just that.

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WCM Investment Management and Dicello Levitt LLP Named Room Keycard Sponsors for TEXPERS' Summer Educational Forum

TEXPERS is excited to announce that WCM Investment Management and Dicello Levitt LLP are the official Room Keycard Sponsors for the upcoming 2025 Summer Educational Forum, presented by Dimensional Fund Advisors, and held Aug. 3–5 at the El Paso Convention Center in El Paso, Texas. The official event hotel is the Hotel Paso del Norte, Autograph Collection, located just steps from the venue.

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What Makes the TEXPERS 2025 Summer Educational Forum in El Paso One-of-a-Kind?

This summer, TEXPERS invites you to join us in El Paso for a conference experience that blends fiduciary excellence with regional charm, exclusive networking, and practical education.

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Your Itinerary for the TEXPERS 2025 Summer Educational Forum

Ready to turn your summer getaway into a professional growth experience? Whether you're a trustee, administrator, or sponsor, we’ve planned our TEXPERS 2025 Summer Educational Forum Aug. 3-5, 2025, that blends education, networking, and El Paso charm. Here's your personal itinerary to help you plan the trip.

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Texas Stands Out in NASRA Report on Retirement Benefits for State Legislators

Retirement benefits for state legislators are far from uniform across the country, according to a new report released in April 2025 by the National Association of State Retirement Administrators (NASRA). The report, Understanding Retirement Benefits for State Legislators, reveals significant disparities in plan types, participation requirements, and benefit levels, offering valuable insights into how Texas compares.

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Honoring a Fallen Firefighter: A Tragic Loss Underscores the Lifesaving Role of Defined Benefit Plans

 

Killeen Fire Capt. Marvin Taylor III died in a car crash early Sunday, May 11, after leaving an Austin hospital where his fifth child had been born. He was en route to pick up his other children when his vehicle was struck from behind at East Koenig Lane and Airport Boulevard, according to FOX 7 Austin. An Austin police officer witnessed the crash. The other driver was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter.

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