AUSTIN, Texas — Rita Runnels is one of many retired public school teachers who petitioned for higher pay at the Texas State Capitol this year. In Texas, retirees can get a pension based on age and years of service. Since retiring in 2008, Runnels has never seen that payment increase.

“That’s why I’m fighting us, for all of us, as well as the current teachers, because I want them not to have to go through what we’re going through as a retiree,” Runnels said.

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Runnels, who was a teacher and then assistant principal, considers herself lucky. Because she held a higher position within the district, her monthly check is $3000. The American Federation of Teachers, or AFT, says the average annuity is less than $2,200.

“It’s not enough to cover the expenses for a person to live today,” Runnels said.

In 2013, teachers who retired prior to 2004 got a pay bump. But AFT says educators who retired in 2005, when the average monthly annuity was less than $1,800, still receive that same amount.

“It’s been so long since we’ve been able to do a cost-of-living adjustment for our teachers,” said Rep. DeWayne Burns, R-Cleburne. “They provide one of the most valuable services that we can ask for from our public servants, [and] that’s educating our kids. We need to reward them with the retirement we promised them, and a wage and an earning that is respectable and allows them to retire, and show the appreciation that they deserve and that they’ve earned.”

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Burns was a co-sponsor on the bill that ultimately passed, but retired teachers will only get this pay bump if voters approve it at the ballot box in November.

“I think if you value our retired teachers, or if you’re a retired teacher, make sure you get out there in November and support that constitutional amendment,” Rep. Burns said. “The passage of that constitutional amendment that authorizes the legislature to spend more money than we’re constitutionally allowed, that makes or breaks the cost-of-living adjustment. So I would just encourage folks to do the research and show up at the polls in November to support our retired teachers.”

This year’s pay bump, which received bipartisan support, will stagger raises based on when the teacher retired. According to the Texas Retired Teachers Association, about 420,000 retirees will see a pay increase. Runnels will get a 4% bump, which is about $120 a month.

She would have liked a 10% cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, but she’ll keep advocating for it.

“All we can do is continue to fight for their COLA, and hope that it’s reflective of the inflation that we’re facing on a community level,” said Rep. Erin Gámez, D-Brownsville, who also sponsored the bill.

By the start of September, retired teachers over 70 should receive a one-time paycheck from the state. As part of the same COLA bill, lawmakers approved a “13th check” for members of the Teacher Retirement System. Retirees aged 70 to 74 will get $2400, and those over 75 will get $7500.

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“It’s an amazing beginning. It’s an amazing start. And it was long overdue,” Rep. Gámez said.

The state has given out 13th checks in the past but Runnels says they’ve just been a “Band-Aid.” That’s why she’s been fighting for a more permanent solution like the COLA.

Runnels, who also chairs Texas AFT Retiree Plus, said she conducted a survey the last time a 13th check was given out. She said former educators used the money to pay for necessities like medicine, medical bills, air conditioning units, and home repairs.

“This one broke my heart,” Runnels said. “When [one retiree] got hers, she said, ‘I can pay for some more chemo.’ So that’s what we did. That’s how retirees are living. So is that what we want for your favorite teacher?”

Runnels says it’s wonderful that lawmakers looked out for retired teachers this session, but ultimately, they still need higher paychecks.

“On the first day of school, if our principal gave us a pencil, we were excited,” Runnels said. “We appreciate anything that we’re given, so we are very appreciative of all of the COLA, but we just need more. And I’m fighting for that person who’s making less than me.”

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