February 20, 2019: TRS Releases 2019 Value Brochure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2019

Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Releases Publication on the Value of Trust Assets and Benefits

AUSTIN – The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) today released one of its most widely-read brochures: A Great Value for All Texans, also commonly called The Value Brochure. The 2019 document can be found in the publications section of www.trs.texas.gov

The Value Brochure illustrates the positive impacts that TRS’ annuity payments have on the lives of members and the Texas economy. In addition, the brochure details the benefits that TRS’ health care programs bring to the state.

Some key findings:

• In 2018, TRS paid more than $10.1 billion in retirement benefits to more than 420,000 retirees and their beneficiaries. Over 94 percent of those payments, or approximately $9.6 billion, went directly to those who live and spend these dollars in Texas.
• The current TRS defined benefit plan provides benefits to members at a lower cost than alternative plans.
• Since the inception of the TRS Trust, more than three-fifths of the pension fund revenue has come from investments.
• One out of every 20 Texans is a member of TRS.
• The TRS health programs serve 722,000 Texans. TRS is the second largest buyer of health care in Texas.

“The data in The Value Brochure shows that TRS provides value to its nearly 1.6 million members while also benefiting all Texans by generating significant state and local economic activity,” said TRS Executive Director Brian Guthrie. “We hope this information is helpful to TRS members and their families, as well as lawmakers and other stakeholders.”

This edition of The Value Brochure updates findings and figures that were reported in the 2017 publication. TRS updates the brochure every two years