Joseph Gagen is the featured speaker for the upcoming Legislative Advocacy Workshop hosted by the Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems (TEXPERS) on Feb. 4 and 5, 2025, at the Hyatt House Austin/Downtown in Austin, Texas. This two-day event equips trustees and administrators with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for the protection and sustainability of defined benefit plans during the 89th Texas Legislature.

The U.S. Senate today, Dec. 21, overwhelmingly passed the Social Security Fairness Act with a 76-20 bipartisan vote, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These longstanding federal policies have denied nearly 3 million public employees, including police officers, firefighters, postal workers, and teachers, their full Social Security benefits.

As the holiday season approaches, we at TEXPERS want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to our members for their unwavering support and dedication throughout 2024. This year has been one of growth, achievement, and community, and it would not have been possible without you.

Welcome to this week’s roundup of essential updates and resources curated specifically for trustees, administrators, and stakeholders in the pension fund and financial governance space. Here are the highlights to keep on your radar:

The movement to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) has reached a critical moment. After the U.S. House passed the Social Security Fairness Act in November, the Senate is preparing for a decisive vote that could happen at any moment. The bill would restore full Social Security benefits to approximately 2.8 million public employees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, whose benefits have been unfairly reduced by these provisions. (Source: MSN News)

As we approach the new year, TEXPERS revisits the biggest cybersecurity stories of 2024, highlighting the escalating cyber threats that have significantly impacted retirement systems.

Welcome to this week's roundup of the most impactful developments in pensions, investments, and the broader economic landscape. As we monitor trends shaping retirement systems and public employees' financial well-being, it's equally important to keep a pulse on economic shifts influencing these sectors. Here's what caught our attention this week:

TEXPERS' Legislative Committee Chairperson Tyler Grossman is hopeful the Senate will now expand Social Security benefits to public employee pensioners, as the House passed Social Security Fairness Act enjoys rare bipartisan support on Nov. 12. But he says despite the measure's favorable odds, now isn't the time to relax.

Welcome to this week's roundup of the most impactful developments in pensions, investments, and the broader economic landscape. As we monitor trends shaping retirement systems and public employees' financial well-being, it's equally important to keep a pulse on economic shifts influencing these sectors. Here's what caught our attention this week:

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, on behalf of the TEXPERS Board of Directors, I want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your continued engagement and dedication to the Association's mission. Your support and involvement are the cornerstones of TEXPERS' success, and we are truly thankful for each of you.

New training rules will be in place beginning Jan. 1, 2025, ensuring that pension trustees and administrators are fully prepared for the challenges of managing public pension funds.

Welcome back to our weekly roundup, where we highlight the latest and most impactful news in pensions, investments, and the broader economic landscape. This week brought significant events, including new policy updates affecting retirement funds, shifts in market conditions, discussions around local pension plans, and even a dash of professional development. Staying informed is crucial for anyone involved in the pension world, whether you're a trustee, manager, or advocate for retirement security.

Welcome to this week's roundup of recent developments impacting the retirement systems landscape. As trustees and administrators of public employee pension systems, staying abreast of these ongoing issues can help shape your decision-making and inform you of potential changes across Texas and beyond. Below are a few key updates.

Donald Trump's re-election to the U.S. presidency and the Republican Congressional wins have introduced a wave of uncertainty and opportunity for leaders of public employee pension systems. With significant changes likely on the horizon for tax policies, trade tariffs, retirement benefits, and investment regulations, it's crucial for those managing the funds of active and retired annuitants to stay informed. This article unpacks how these potential policy shifts could impact public pensions and the broader retirement landscape, providing valuable insights for stakeholders navigating this evolving environment.

The results are in, and we're getting ready for some changes in the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, which kicks off on Jan. 14, 2025.

On Jan. 1, administrators and trustees of public employee retirement systems will have new rules regarding the state's Minimum Educational Training requirements. In this post will explain why this happened and provide tips on the next steps you need to take.

As trustees, administrators, and stakeholders of public employee retirement systems across Texas, your role in safeguarding sensitive data is more important than ever. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an international initiative that educates everyone about online safety and empowers individuals and organizations, including pension funds, to protect their data from cybercrime.

A recent cyber-fraud incident at the University of California's retirement savings program, administered by Fidelity Investments, underscores the ongoing threat that cybercriminals pose to retirement systems. 

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues throughout October, TEXPERS, a National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) Champion, is focused on empowering public employee pension system leaders, investment professionals, and vendors to recognize and report phishing threats. Phishing poses a serious risk to sensitive financial data and operations within pension systems. Understanding these threats is crucial to protecting pension funds and the personal data of retirement system members.