TPEA, the VOICE for State of Texas Employees & Retirees since March, 1946. March 2015

C H A N G E ! T h e o n l y “ c o n s t a n t ” I n T e x a s ! From frontier to Republic, Statehood and national economic leader, Texans have always proudly stepped up to confront and deal with change. In 2015 we abound with new leadership among the top political office holders and both houses of the legislature. Texas fortunately has a strong state economy, booming in migration of folks to Texas while the rest of the country is coping with near stagnation. However, this good fortune is placing increasing demands on the state to preserve and improve services and infrastructure. What does this forebode for the state employee “where the rubber meets the road” in terms

of continuing to provide unmatched service to citizens? State employees are already “doing more with less” due to reductions in the available workforce resulting from personnel hiring caps, employee turnover and three legislated early retirement incentives in 1985, 1993 and 2003. So the question is, “Who is looking out for Texas’ state employees, retirees and their beneficiaries?” TPEA, which turns 69 in March, 2015 is and has been the largest, oldest and strongest “voice” advocating for state employees since the organization’s inception.

(Continued on page 2)

IN THIS ISSUE TPEA’s Goals for

2015 Legislation A Quick Review:

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Chapter 149 Activities Chapter 149 2014

Financial Report Contact Your Senator &

Representative New Member Recruitment Program Member’s Comments

CONTRIBUTORS Helen Anderson Gladys Ashby Ed Chew Anna Galloway Ray Hymel Julia Johnson Ted Miller Olivia Weldon Jim Zukowski

925888 TPEA.indd 1 2/12/15 12:06 PM

TPEA Chapter 149 NEWS

Page 2

Among its mission and goals is the intent “to promote the progress of Public Service …. in every manner consistent with the best interests of the State,” “to promote the highest standards of employee conduct in governmental affairs,” “to act with integrity and honesty to preserve public trust” and “ensuring members maintain the highest standards by establishing a Code of Ethics.” In this annual newsletter, you will find glimpses of how TPEA a “non union” organization has and continues to benefit all state employees and the citizens we so proudly serve. It may be an understatement to say it has done a remarkable job in the past. But now, with all the challenges facing Texas, TPEA needs your active personal participation to continue and strengthen that legacy.

TPEA’s Goals for 2015 Legislation

TPEA has no higher priority than putting the state employee pension plan back on firm financial footing. The first item on the TPEA legislative agenda for the 2015 legislative session states the goal is “to support and strengthen our traditional retirement plans”. Our lobby team has been working closer than ever with ERS to secure the additional funding necessary to achieve the required actuarial soundness. Since inception of the retirement program in 1947, employees contributed only 6%

until the legislature enacted increases beginning in 2009. The current rate is 6.9%. That’s been 62 years with no increases. The state’s contribution has varied over time from the constitutional minimum 6% to today’s 7.5%. Current contributions are: employees 6.9%; state 7.5% and agencies 0.5% for a total of 14.9%. However, if nothing changes, the employee contribution is slated to increase over time until it reaches 7.5% in 2017. Thus, in 2017 contributions by all entities will total 15.5% which is still inadequate. The ERS actuaries report it will require 18.76% to correct the deficit.

TPEA has a specific proposal that would accomplish this by: increasing employee contributions to 8% of salary, agencies to 1%, and the state to the constitutional maximum of 10%. Once the ERS fund is certified by its actuary to have met the legal definition of fiscal soundness, ERS would finally be in a position to consider an annuity enhancement. Obviously, to secure the additional appropriations from the legislature to achieve this goal requires considerable communication with the legislature and its leaders. This is precisely how and why an active and growing base of retiree members of TPEA would be so valuable. Regarding health care, the legislature has already listened to TPEA, both last

session and this, by incorporating in the introduced version of the budget bill the monies needed to retain the basic benefits in the ERS health care plan. For this your Senator and Representative can and should be personally thanked, especially by retirees, for whom health care is a critical concern. It must be noted too, that maintaining “adequate and affordable health care” is another key goal of the TPEA legislative agenda. In that vein, TPEA also supports “affordable health coverage for surviving spouses of ERS retirees.” Unfortunately, when a retired state employee dies leaving a spouse who has been on their health insurance, that spouse’s premium doubles. The state had been paying 50% of the premium but stops upon the death of the retiree. With the help of retirees, in the future we can try to get legislative appropriations to continue to provide this needed benefit.

A complete report on TPEA’s 2015 Legislative Agenda may be found on the Internet at www.tpea.org/advocacy/2015-agenda/

A Quick Review YESTERDAY: The organizational seeds which grew, matured and eventually developed into the Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA) that you know today were first sown as early as 1938. Then, a handful of “Old Timers”, leaders in the state's agencies, aware of the need for an employee initiative to bring

925888 TPEA.indd 2 2/12/15 12:06 PM

TPEA Chapter 149 NEWS

Page 2

Among its mission and goals is the intent “to promote the progress of Public Service …. in every manner consistent with the best interests of the State,” “to promote the highest standards of employee conduct in governmental affairs,” “to act with integrity and honesty to preserve public trust” and “ensuring members maintain the highest standards by establishing a Code of Ethics.” In this annual newsletter, you will find glimpses of how TPEA a “non union” organization has and continues to benefit all state employees and the citizens we so proudly serve. It may be an understatement to say it has done a remarkable job in the past. But now, with all the challenges facing Texas, TPEA needs your active personal participation to continue and strengthen that legacy.

TPEA’s Goals for 2015 Legislation

TPEA has no higher priority than putting the state employee pension plan back on firm financial footing. The first item on the TPEA legislative agenda for the 2015 legislative session states the goal is “to support and strengthen our traditional retirement plans”. Our lobby team has been working closer than ever with ERS to secure the additional funding necessary to achieve the required actuarial soundness. Since inception of the retirement program in 1947, employees contributed only 6%

until the legislature enacted increases beginning in 2009. The current rate is 6.9%. That’s been 62 years with no increases. The state’s contribution has varied over time from the constitutional minimum 6% to today’s 7.5%. Current contributions are: employees 6.9%; state 7.5% and agencies 0.5% for a total of 14.9%. However, if nothing changes, the employee contribution is slated to increase over time until it reaches 7.5% in 2017. Thus, in 2017 contributions by all entities will total 15.5% which is still inadequate. The ERS actuaries report it will require 18.76% to correct the deficit.

TPEA has a specific proposal that would accomplish this by: increasing employee contributions to 8% of salary, agencies to 1%, and the state to the constitutional maximum of 10%. Once the ERS fund is certified by its actuary to have met the legal definition of fiscal soundness, ERS would finally be in a position to consider an annuity enhancement. Obviously, to secure the additional appropriations from the legislature to achieve this goal requires considerable communication with the legislature and its leaders. This is precisely how and why an active and growing base of retiree members of TPEA would be so valuable. Regarding health care, the legislature has already listened to TPEA, both last

session and this, by incorporating in the introduced version of the budget bill the monies needed to retain the basic benefits in the ERS health care plan. For this your Senator and Representative can and should be personally thanked, especially by retirees, for whom health care is a critical concern. It must be noted too, that maintaining “adequate and affordable health care” is another key goal of the TPEA legislative agenda. In that vein, TPEA also supports “affordable health coverage for surviving spouses of ERS retirees.” Unfortunately, when a retired state employee dies leaving a spouse who has been on their health insurance, that spouse’s premium doubles. The state had been paying 50% of the premium but stops upon the death of the retiree. With the help of retirees, in the future we can try to get legislative appropriations to continue to provide this needed benefit.

A complete report on TPEA’s 2015 Legislative Agenda may be found on the Internet at www.tpea.org/advocacy/2015-agenda/

A Quick Review YESTERDAY: The organizational seeds which grew, matured and eventually developed into the Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA) that you know today were first sown as early as 1938. Then, a handful of “Old Timers”, leaders in the state's agencies, aware of the need for an employee initiative to bring

TPEA Chapter 149 NEWS

Page 3

about improvements in their working conditions, began talking about organizing an association of state employees. These leaders represented a variety of interests, but the singular goal cementing them together was a sincere desire to provide state employees with benefits comparable to the private sector and worthy of public servants. The United States’ entry into World War II postponed those talks, but in 1945 those same leaders began working with legislators on the study and preparation of a Retirement Act for the 50th Legislative Session. They were successful in convincing the legislature to approve legislation for an amendment to the Texas Constitution. This group would later be chartered in March, 1946, as the Texas Public Employees Association. If the constitutional amendment was approved by voters, it would provide a retirement plan for state employees which required a monthly employee contribution of 6% of their salary and a state minimum contribution ranging from 6% to a maximum of 10%. Almost entirely through the efforts of this original group (that became TPEA) and fellow employees throughout the state the proposed amendment to the constitution was placed on the November, 1946, ballot and successfully passed by voters. Thus, on September 1, 1947, the Retirement Act became effective and the Employees Retirement System (ERS) began operation with eleven employees and a $25,000 state

appropriation. That same year TPEA began its first membership drive which resulted in 4,217 members. TODAY: That enthusiasm and momentum has grown into the widely recognized and highly effective, bipartisan, non-union legislative advocacy association we know today. Because of the foresight and endeavors of our association’s founders, when state employees retire they can elect to receive a lifetime retirement annuity. The retirement package has been looked upon as a well-earned reward for employees who loyally served the “Great State of Texas.” Benefits such as health care and other insurance plans were not part of the bill that passed the legislature and approved by the voters. TPEA recognized that need and arranged for insurance to be offered as part of membership in the organization. The growth in the size of TPEA, due to membership including health care and other benefits, made it the largest employee organization in the state. TPEA ultimately recognized that the benefits program should be administered under the ERS umbrella. Thus in 1975, the legislature agreed with the wisdom of the proposal, passed legislation that provided funding, established insurance and other benefits in ERS effective September 1, 1976. One can not begin to measure the value of the paid health insurance coverage provided to state employees, the

retiree and spousal or family coverage available at a reduced premium. However, you must remember that funding for the benefits state employees and retirees currently enjoy must be authorized in the appropriations bill each legislative session for the forthcoming two year biennium and are not guaranteed by a constitutional amendment. That is why it is essential for all who enjoy these benefits to communicate with legislators their desire that benefits and funding be continued. TOMORROW: Looking into the future, a decline in TPEA’s active employee and retiree membership is being experienced which is partially due to the aforementioned insurance and other benefits being moved under the ERS umbrella. Frankly, TPEA is the victim of being too successful in getting all benefits moved to and administered by ERS. The competition for State Dollars has never been greater. But, decreased TPEA membership translates to decreased legislative influence. To meet the challenge, TPEA is currently conducting recruiting drives to enroll more active employee members. In the last year alone the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has recruited enough new members to assume the lead in membership over other agencies. “Old Timers” (that is, retirees) are passing on and the lack of their influence is more evident every day.

925888 TPEA.indd 3 2/12/15 12:06 PM

TPEA Chapter 149 NEWS

Page 4

Therefore, TPEA retirees must also take action to build their membership numbers.

Retirees Chapter 149 Activities

Come rain or come shine, Austin area retirees attend Retiree Chapter 149 meetings on the second Friday of each month. Members begin gathering at the Austin Senior Activity Center for coffee and refreshments at 9:30AM. The meeting begins promptly at 10AM with a short business meeting, followed by a program concerning issues and topics of interest to the members, and adjourns at 11:00AM. Chapter 149 has been very fortunate to have had the wisdom and direction of some of the original founders of TPEA. It was our pleasure and privilege to have known and worked with one of those founders – Wilson Ashby. Chapter 149's success, activism and loyalty can be traced back to those dedicated founders. Another asset to the Chapter has been the involvement of former ERS Executive Director Charles D. Travis to guide us and appear before legislative committee hearings on our behalf. We wish each of you lived close enough to attend and be an active part of our meetings. Programs this past year were: 1) A Look At The Status Of ERS Benefits; 2) Are We Running Out Of Water? - presented by a Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)

representative; 3) What, When And How To Use The Austin Non-emergency 3-1-1 Program; 4) Are You Taking Advantage Of The Many TPEA Membership Benefits? - presented by TPEA Marketing & Communications Director Elizabeth Bernado; 5) Important Information Regarding Property Tax Deferral; and 6) Is Texas Taking Care Of Our Veterans? The highlight of each year is our annual Christmas Luncheon Meeting. It was held on December 12th with eighty members/guests, TPEA staff and our legislative lobby attending. A traditional Christmas meal was served, music was provided by Dr. Louis Hughston on the piano, the Overton Elementary School of AISD (35 students from the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades) all decked out in red Santa hats presented a wonderful Christmas program and a spoof of the “The Christmas Meal Menu Today” to the tune of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was sung.

This was topped off by a visit from Santa Claus who shared a gift for each of the children and candy canes for all TPEA members who had been good.

In addition to having the opportunity of meeting fellow retirees and keeping abreast of retirement issues – Chapter 149 members are available, when called on by TPEA staff, to attend and testify at legislative committee hearings. The 84th Texas Legislative Session began on January 13th and one of our goals is to keep informed and be ready when needed to support our cause. We, the local Chapter 149 members, are here to represent TPEA members throughout the State. But, you can help the cause also. Your Senator and House Member needs to know you are keeping informed and taking notice of their votes. It only takes a moment to call or write them a short note thanking them for their service and asking them to remember the importance of active employees and the contribution of retirees.

Retirees Chapter 149 is your Chapter and your opportunity to stay informed and involved.

In addition to periodic newsletters, we would appreciate your e-mail address so we can better and more economically keep in touch. Please share your address by e-mailing Membership Chair Jim Zukowski at jzukowski@austin.rr.com.

925888 TPEA.indd 4 2/12/15 12:06 PM

TPEA Chapter 149 NEWS

Page 4

Therefore, TPEA retirees must also take action to build their membership numbers.

Retirees Chapter 149 Activities

Come rain or come shine, Austin area retirees attend Retiree Chapter 149 meetings on the second Friday of each month. Members begin gathering at the Austin Senior Activity Center for coffee and refreshments at 9:30AM. The meeting begins promptly at 10AM with a short business meeting, followed by a program concerning issues and topics of interest to the members, and adjourns at 11:00AM. Chapter 149 has been very fortunate to have had the wisdom and direction of some of the original founders of TPEA. It was our pleasure and privilege to have known and worked with one of those founders – Wilson Ashby. Chapter 149's success, activism and loyalty can be traced back to those dedicated founders. Another asset to the Chapter has been the involvement of former ERS Executive Director Charles D. Travis to guide us and appear before legislative committee hearings on our behalf. We wish each of you lived close enough to attend and be an active part of our meetings. Programs this past year were: 1) A Look At The Status Of ERS Benefits; 2) Are We Running Out Of Water? - presented by a Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)

representative; 3) What, When And How To Use The Austin Non-emergency 3-1-1 Program; 4) Are You Taking Advantage Of The Many TPEA Membership Benefits? - presented by TPEA Marketing & Communications Director Elizabeth Bernado; 5) Important Information Regarding Property Tax Deferral; and 6) Is Texas Taking Care Of Our Veterans? The highlight of each year is our annual Christmas Luncheon Meeting. It was held on December 12th with eighty members/guests, TPEA staff and our legislative lobby attending. A traditional Christmas meal was served, music was provided by Dr. Louis Hughston on the piano, the Overton Elementary School of AISD (35 students from the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades) all decked out in red Santa hats presented a wonderful Christmas program and a spoof of the “The Christmas Meal Menu Today” to the tune of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was sung.

This was topped off by a visit from Santa Claus who shared a gift for each of the children and candy canes for all TPEA members who had been good.

In addition to having the opportunity of meeting fellow retirees and keeping abreast of retirement issues – Chapter 149 members are available, when called on by TPEA staff, to attend and testify at legislative committee hearings. The 84th Texas Legislative Session began on January 13th and one of our goals is to keep informed and be ready when needed to support our cause. We, the local Chapter 149 members, are here to represent TPEA members throughout the State. But, you can help the cause also. Your Senator and House Member needs to know you are keeping informed and taking notice of their votes. It only takes a moment to call or write them a short note thanking them for their service and asking them to remember the importance of active employees and the contribution of retirees.

Retirees Chapter 149 is your Chapter and your opportunity to stay informed and involved.

In addition to periodic newsletters, we would appreciate your e-mail address so we can better and more economically keep in touch. Please share your address by e-mailing Membership Chair Jim Zukowski at jzukowski@austin.rr.com.

TPEA Chapter 149 NEWS

Page 5

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO

THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS

And, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance. Julia Johnson, President TPEA Retiree Chapter 149 johnson-julia@att.net home (512) 836-1726 Chapter 149 Financial Report December 31, 2014 Operating Fund Beginning balance: $5,183.82 Membership revenue: + 2,350.00 Expenditures: – 2,327.00 Ending balance: $5,206.82 Member Recruitment Fund: Beginning balance: $5,000.00 PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR & REPRESENTATIVE. One can not begin to measure the value of the paid health insurance coverage provided to state employees, the retiree and spousal or family coverage available at a reduced premium. But, as has been noted, every new session of the legislature must approve funding for the next two years. Thus, benefits other than retirement are not guaranteed by a constitutional amendment. This makes it

essential on all who enjoy those benefits to communicate with their legislators the desire that benefits and funding be continued. You may ask, “But, why retirees?” It is a fact that active employees are not encouraged or comfortable contacting their legislators. In many cases, they are required to report any contact they have with their legislator(s) to their respective agency thus discouraging that contact. Retirees, however, do not have that impediment and can express their thoughts and desires to their elected Senators and Representatives. Our recommendation is that you NOT call or send emails! And, a form letter is probably the least effective means of getting their attention. The most effective means to ensure that your message is heard and remembered is to meet with your Senator and Representative. The next best thing is to write a letter. In either case, focus on a few things that are really important to you personally. This newsletter is chock full of important issues, so pick a few and make those the key points to discuss. If you have had a personal experience with retirement or healthcare that has left a lasting impression on you, use that as the means of making your point. One of our chapter members, who is also on the TPEA Board of Directors, lost his wife of over 47 years to cancer in 2014 and has emphatically made the

comment that, “Without our Humana Medicare Advantage plan, the costs for seven months of hospital and medical treatment would have forced us into bankruptcy and destroyed the savings we worked years to accumulate.” Legislators need to know how critical these benefits are to retirees as we navigate the “sunset years” of our lives. Since the last increase in our retirement annuity in 2002 (13 years ago) TPEA has determined that retirees have lost over 40% of their monthly annuity’s purchasing power. That’s like losing 4 out of every 10 retirement dollars you have to live on. Don’t you think your legislator should know how that has affected your life? WRITE NOW, NOT LATER! Here are the addresses: The Honorable (insert name of Senator) Texas Senate P.O. Box 12068 Austin, TX 78711 The Honorable (insert name of Representative) Texas House of Representatives P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768-2910 Here also is an excellent Internet link you can enter into your browser to assist you in identifying your legislators and the addresses of their office near where you live. Just type the whole thing into your browser’s address space. www.lrl.state.tx.us/genInfo/ContactLeg.cfm

925888 TPEA.indd 5 2/12/15 12:06 PM

TPEA Chapter 149 NEWS

Page 6

CHAPTER 149 LAUNCHES A

RETIREE RECRUITMENT

INITIATIVE

Good fortune has smiled on Retiree Chapter 149 as we have received a monetary donation earmarked to increase retiree membership. We are implementing a Retirees' Membership Drive which will benefit TPEA’s efforts in two ways by: 1) increasing membership thus strengthening legislative influence and 2) enabling our chapter’s members to personally earn $MONEY$ by recruiting and referring new retiree members into Retirees Chapter 149. Increased membership numbers will go a long way to influence legislators to bring the retirement fund back into full funding. This is necessary before an annuity increase or any supplemental payment for retirees (also fondly known as a“13th Check”) can be made possible. The Chapter 149 Membership Drive begins on March 1 and ends May 31, 2015. Only current retiree members may participate and receive credit for new memberships obtained during the enrollment period. Eligibility is determined by the total number of new retiree members referred by May 31, 2015. To receive credit for new members the existing retiree member must fill out the Referral Information in the

Retiree Authorization form that follows, make copies and give them to state retiree individuals who are not currently members of TPEA. When that completed form is received by the TPEA office, the Referring Member’s name will be recorded, an ongoing tally maintained and the form forwarded to ERS for implementation of the new TPEA membership.

For each new member that agrees to and returns the Deduction Authorization Form to TPEA during the recruitment period, the referring recruiter will be eligible to receive the following rewards (subject to the limits of funding allocated for this campaign):

1. For 5 or fewer new

members, the recruiter receives $5 per each (max $25) plus a TPEA Drink Tumbler.

2. For more than 6 and less than 20 new members, the recruiter receives $10 per each (max $190) plus a TPEA Thermos Travel Mug.

3. For 20 or more new members, the recruiter receives $15 per each (could earn $300+) and a TPEA Polo Shirt.

Should the monetary incentive awards exceed the balance of the Chapter 149 Recruitment fund; the final cash awards will be recalculated on a proportional basis.

This Membership Drive is truly an opportunity to earn extra cash for the member’s efforts and help TPEA increase the number of state retiree members, thus strengthening its voice and influence with the state’s top office holders and legislators.

NOW, should you get comments such as, “I’d like to join TPEA but $2.50 per month is a lot of money to a retiree!” You might consider a response such as, “That’s true, but the deduction is 75¢ less than just one of these cups of coffee (picture below) and it only happens once per month!

Pictured above is a Starbucks “Tall” (their small) coffee which cost $3.25 (not including tax).

TPEA Retirees Chapter 149 sincerely hopes you will take advantage of this opportunity to make some $MONEY$ and, at the same time, bring new retiree members into the organization.

Be sure and check TPEA’s website at www.tpea.org

now through May 31st for current updates on

legislation affecting state employees and retirees.

(Continued on back of Retiree

Authorization Form)

Retiree Authorization for TPEA Membership Dues Deduction MAIL TO: Texas Public Employees Association 512 E. 11th Street, Ste. 100 Austin TX 78701 512-476-2691 Austin Area 888-FOR-TPEA Toll-free

(888-367-8732) www.tpea.org

As provided for in Section 814.009, Texas Government Code, this form authorizes ERS to deduct monthly membership dues from your retirement annuity for certain qualified organizations.

TPEA will forward your authorization form to ERS to start the dues deduction.

Information provided to the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) is maintained for the administration of your benefits. If you have questions about your information, or believe that information provided to ERS may be incorrect, please notify ERS at (877) 275-4377 Toll-free (TTY 711).

Name Social Security Number (last 4 digits only)

xxx - xx - ___ ___ ___ ___

Address Phone Number (with area code)

City State Zip Email Address

Agency From Which Retired

Dues Deduction for Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA) Retirees Ch. 149

Deduction of $2.50 per month will start with the annuity payment paid after receipt and processing of this form. Forms processed before the 10th of each month will be effective for that month’s payment. Forms processed after the 10th day will be effective the following month (i.e. if your form processed on January 13 your dues will be deducted from your February annuity payment).

Signature Date My signature authorizes ERS to deduct $2.50 for TPEA retiree membership dues from my monthly check. Deductions will continue until I notify ERS to stop deductions or upon my death.

Referred By TPEA Member:

Name:

Home Email Address:

Mailing Address:

Phone Number with area code: ( )

ERS 2.856 (R 1/15) TPEA Retirees Chapter 149

925888 TPEA.indd 6 2/12/15 12:06 PM

TPEA Chapter 149 NEWS

Page 6

CHAPTER 149 LAUNCHES A

RETIREE RECRUITMENT

INITIATIVE

Good fortune has smiled on Retiree Chapter 149 as we have received a monetary donation earmarked to increase retiree membership. We are implementing a Retirees' Membership Drive which will benefit TPEA’s efforts in two ways by: 1) increasing membership thus strengthening legislative influence and 2) enabling our chapter’s members to personally earn $MONEY$ by recruiting and referring new retiree members into Retirees Chapter 149. Increased membership numbers will go a long way to influence legislators to bring the retirement fund back into full funding. This is necessary before an annuity increase or any supplemental payment for retirees (also fondly known as a“13th Check”) can be made possible. The Chapter 149 Membership Drive begins on March 1 and ends May 31, 2015. Only current retiree members may participate and receive credit for new memberships obtained during the enrollment period. Eligibility is determined by the total number of new retiree members referred by May 31, 2015. To receive credit for new members the existing retiree member must fill out the Referral Information in the

Retiree Authorization form that follows, make copies and give them to state retiree individuals who are not currently members of TPEA. When that completed form is received by the TPEA office, the Referring Member’s name will be recorded, an ongoing tally maintained and the form forwarded to ERS for implementation of the new TPEA membership.

For each new member that agrees to and returns the Deduction Authorization Form to TPEA during the recruitment period, the referring recruiter will be eligible to receive the following rewards (subject to the limits of funding allocated for this campaign):

1. For 5 or fewer new

members, the recruiter receives $5 per each (max $25) plus a TPEA Drink Tumbler.

2. For more than 6 and less than 20 new members, the recruiter receives $10 per each (max $190) plus a TPEA Thermos Travel Mug.

3. For 20 or more new members, the recruiter receives $15 per each (could earn $300+) and a TPEA Polo Shirt.

Should the monetary incentive awards exceed the balance of the Chapter 149 Recruitment fund; the final cash awards will be recalculated on a proportional basis.

This Membership Drive is truly an opportunity to earn extra cash for the member’s efforts and help TPEA increase the number of state retiree members, thus strengthening its voice and influence with the state’s top office holders and legislators.

NOW, should you get comments such as, “I’d like to join TPEA but $2.50 per month is a lot of money to a retiree!” You might consider a response such as, “That’s true, but the deduction is 75¢ less than just one of these cups of coffee (picture below) and it only happens once per month!

Pictured above is a Starbucks “Tall” (their small) coffee which cost $3.25 (not including tax).

TPEA Retirees Chapter 149 sincerely hopes you will take advantage of this opportunity to make some $MONEY$ and, at the same time, bring new retiree members into the organization.

Be sure and check TPEA’s website at www.tpea.org

now through May 31st for current updates on

legislation affecting state employees and retirees.

(Continued on back of Retiree

Authorization Form)

Retiree Authorization for TPEA Membership Dues Deduction MAIL TO: Texas Public Employees Association 512 E. 11th Street, Ste. 100 Austin TX 78701 512-476-2691 Austin Area 888-FOR-TPEA Toll-free

(888-367-8732) www.tpea.org

As provided for in Section 814.009, Texas Government Code, this form authorizes ERS to deduct monthly membership dues from your retirement annuity for certain qualified organizations.

TPEA will forward your authorization form to ERS to start the dues deduction.

Information provided to the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) is maintained for the administration of your benefits. If you have questions about your information, or believe that information provided to ERS may be incorrect, please notify ERS at (877) 275-4377 Toll-free (TTY 711).

Name Social Security Number (last 4 digits only)

xxx - xx - ___ ___ ___ ___

Address Phone Number (with area code)

City State Zip Email Address

Agency From Which Retired

Dues Deduction for Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA) Retirees Ch. 149

Deduction of $2.50 per month will start with the annuity payment paid after receipt and processing of this form. Forms processed before the 10th of each month will be effective for that month’s payment. Forms processed after the 10th day will be effective the following month (i.e. if your form processed on January 13 your dues will be deducted from your February annuity payment).

Signature Date My signature authorizes ERS to deduct $2.50 for TPEA retiree membership dues from my monthly check. Deductions will continue until I notify ERS to stop deductions or upon my death.

Referred By TPEA Member:

Name:

Home Email Address:

Mailing Address:

Phone Number with area code: ( )

ERS 2.856 (R 1/15) TPEA Retirees Chapter 149

925888 TPEA.indd 7 2/12/15 12:06 PM

RETIREE CHAPTER MEMBER’S COMMENTS

OLIVIA WELDON: At age 35, after being a stay at home mom with three children in school, I enrolled in

college to prepare myself for future endeavors. In 1964 I took the State Merit Exam and was hired by the Texas Public Welfare Agency as a Clerk Typist II. At employee orientation we were given the rules for working for the State. It was suggested that every effort should be made, such as being prompt, performing assigned task with accuracy, and in a timely manner for you to be considered a permanent employee. You were on probation for six months and paid monthly on the last working day of the month. After five years, I was made a Clerical Supervisor and later an

Administrative Technician IV. We processed and paid all Medicaid nursing homes, State schools and hospitals. I hadn’t planned on being a career State Employee but, by then I realized how important my investment in State retirement was and also joined the deferred compensation program.

At the age of 65, with 30 years, I retired. My State retirement was more than my Social Security and I drew down on my deferred account for 10 years. The deferred account enabled me to enjoy some rewarding travel and then, by using a budget, I have remained very comfortable. I do, however, worry that the retirement fund remain solvent and that health care benefits could be reduced.

I joined TPEA when I was an active employee and chose to safe-guard my interests after retirement by actively continuing my membership in Retirees' Chapter 149. Still going strong at 90, I highly recommend that you, too, join and become an active member. TPEA, historically and currently, goes to bat for us. ANNA GALLOWAY: Your health insurance! Just take a minute to think what it would mean to you to have a major change to our current health insurance. Encourage your State of Texas retiree friends to join TPEA and have a voice in the future of our health care and our annuity.

RETIREE CHAPTER MEMBER’S COMMENTS

OLIVIA WELDON: At age 35, after being a stay at home mom with three children in school, I enrolled in

college to prepare myself for future endeavors. In 1964 I took the State Merit Exam and was hired by the Texas Public Welfare Agency as a Clerk Typist II. At employee orientation we were given the rules for working for the State. It was suggested that every effort should be made, such as being prompt, performing assigned task with accuracy, and in a timely manner for you to be considered a permanent employee. You were on probation for six months and paid monthly on the last working day of the month. After five years, I was made a Clerical Supervisor and later an

Administrative Technician IV. We processed and paid all Medicaid nursing homes, State schools and hospitals. I hadn’t planned on being a career State Employee but, by then I realized how important my investment in State retirement was and also joined the deferred compensation program.

At the age of 65, with 30 years, I retired. My State retirement was more than my Social Security and I drew down on my deferred account for 10 years. The deferred account enabled me to enjoy some rewarding travel and then, by using a budget, I have remained very comfortable. I do, however, worry that the retirement fund remain solvent and that health care benefits could be reduced.

I joined TPEA when I was an active employee and chose to safe-guard my interests after retirement by actively continuing my membership in Retirees' Chapter 149. Still going strong at 90, I highly recommend that you, too, join and become an active member. TPEA, historically and currently, goes to bat for us. ANNA GALLOWAY: Your health insurance! Just take a minute to think what it would mean to you to have a major change to our current health insurance. Encourage your State of Texas retiree friends to join TPEA and have a voice in the future of our health care and our annuity.

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDAUSTIN, TX

PERMIT NO.1177 �����

925888 TPEA.indd 82/11/15 11:04 AM925888 TPEA.indd 8 2/12/15 12:06 PM