October 2026 Board Summary
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees met Friday October 9, 2026, virtually and in person at TRS headquarters at 4655 Mueller Blvd. in Austin. View board presentations by clicking on September’s board meeting materials. View the videos.
What the Board Discussed
Special Transitional Plan Rates Approved for TRS-ActiveCare
Trustees approved transitional rates for the TRS-ActiveCare health care program so that an interested employer can join TRS-ActiveCare this coming January, eight months before a new TRS plan year begins Sept. 1, 2027 (see the slides and memo from board book page 22 for further detail on a risk-based rating plan for interested TRS-ActiveCare employers).
TRS Health leadership told trustees there has been ongoing interest from employers in joining TRS-ActiveCare after the passage in 2021 of legislation (SB 1444). The law allows public education employers flexibility to join and leave the program in five-year minimums rather than having to join the program permanently. In 2023, the TRS board adopted rules allowing employers with plan years that don’t align with the TRS-ActiveCare plan year to request a Special Transitional Plan as a bridge to join the regular plan year.
CIO Search Update
Trustees approved formation of a three-trustee special committee to review recommended candidates later this fall for a new chief investment officer (CIO). Organizational Excellence staff have reported receipt of 77 applications since the October 1 job posting. TRS staff will screen for qualified candidates and will update trustees at December’s public meeting. The full board will interview finalists selected by the special board committee with names posted 21 days in advance of the Jan. 28-29, 2027, board meeting per statute. Read more on the review process from page 33 of the board book. Current CIO Jase Auby recently announced his retirement for Jan. 31, 2027, after 17 years with TRS, during a time of significant growth in the pension fund’s market value and membership.
Welcome to Trustee Ripley
Trustees welcomed the addition of newly appointed trustee Clayton Ripley, a business and investment professional from Austin. “It’s an honor and I’m extremely happy to be part of this organization,” Ripley told trustees. “(This appointment) is personal to me—my mom was a teacher at the Abilene Independent School District as was my grandmother.”
This meeting was also the first for trustee Dan West of Houston in his newly appointed role as TRS Board of Trustees’ chair.
Next Board Meeting
The next TRS of Texas board meeting is planned for Thursday and Friday, Dec. 10 – 11, 2026 at our Austin headquarters in the Mueller Community. Find newly approved 2027 meeting dates. Access all board materials online, including agendas, board books and webcast links.