Securing a 13th Check In 2023
As we prepare for the end of 2022, we want to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We hope you find time in the coming weeks to connect with the people and activities that mean the most to you.
Once the holidays pass, a lot will be happening that affects retired state workers — starting with the 8.9% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) that most of us will see in our social security checks.
We will also start planning for the AFSCME Texas Retirees day-long biennial convention on March 3 in Austin, where speakers will include ERS Executive Director Porter Wilson and State Rep. John Bucy III. We would love to see you there and encourage you to RSVP to Veronica Adams at veronica@afscmetexasretirees.org or 512-477-9182. Look out for more details in the mail very soon.
On January 10, of course, the 88th Texas Legislature will convene at the Capitol in Austin. Your AFSCME leaders will be there throughout the five-month session, working hard to protect your interests and help secure your future. Our goals for the session include the following:
Maintaining the $510 million yearly investment in ERS that lawmakers approved in 2021. This investment was at the heart of SB 321, the critical legislation from two years ago designed to make ERS actuarially sound. It requires each Legislature to recommit to the funds every biennium.
Helping lawmakers understand the need for a long-overdue COLA for retirees once ERS is financially stable during the next few years. Under state law, this COLA can come only if ERS is designated as being actuarily sound, so we must work with lawmakers now to lay the foundation.
Supporting a 13th paycheck for state retirees in 2023, just like retired teachers have received in recent years. Retirees are still dealing with historic global inflation, so this extra paycheck will be vital to our members who live on fixed incomes.
We will stay in close touch during the coming months about our efforts – and let you know when you can help by reaching out directly to your lawmakers. Thank you for all you do, and Happy New Year.