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Home > About ERS

  • Governance

    ERS administers insurance benefits that are defined in current law and regulations that are subject to change based on available State funding. The Texas Legislature determines the level of funding for such benefits and has no continuing obligation to provide those benefits beyond each fiscal year. The State does not have obligation to provide retirement benefits.

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  • Icon 82nd Legislative Session

    Legislation with the potential to affect programs administered by the ERS

    Icon Statutes

    Chapters in the Texas Government Code pertaining to ERS.
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  • Benefiting Texans since 1947

    • The Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) was established on September 1, 1947.
    • In fiscal year 1948, ERS approved 153 service and disability retirements.
    • During fiscal year 2009, ERS approved 4,433 retirements.
    • ERS began with an initial $25,000 appropriation from the Texas Legislature. At the end of fiscal year 2009, the Fund’s market value was approximately $19.8 billion. Most of the Fund’s value is made up of returns on investments.
    • At the end of fiscal year 2009, there were:
      • More than 528,350 participants in the State’s health insurance program;
      • 141,779 active members (employees) contributing to the ERS trust fund; and
      • 76,335 retirees receiving retirement benefits from ERS.
    • The ERS Retirement Trust Fund is used to pay retirement and death benefits only. There are separate appropriations for the other benefit programs administered by ERS.
    • In fiscal year 2009, ERS paid $1.5 billion in retirement benefits and withdrawals.