Bonus '13th' Check for Retired Texas Teachers At-Risk After Dems Break Quorum

On Friday, committees in both the House and Senate speedily passed along bills providing up to $2,400 to teacher retirees no later than January 2022

By Corbett Smith - The Dallas Morning News • Published July 14, 2021 • Updated on July 14, 2021 at 9:57 am

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The walkout in the Texas Legislature could end up hitting retired teachers in their pockets.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed -- on a 22-0 vote -- a bill that would provide a one-time additional annuity payment, known by teachers and lawmakers as a “13th check.”

But the likelihood of that additional pension check actually making it to retirees looks doubtful, since legislation passed by the Senate also needs the House’s approval.