Appointment and Election of ERS Trustees

The ERS Board of Trustees comprises six members. Three trustees are appointed – one each by the Governor, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court – and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Three are elected by ERS members and retirees. Both appointed and elected trustees serve staggered six-year terms. 

Appointments are made in even-numbered years. 

Section 815.003(d) of the Texas Government Code states that before August 31 of each odd-numbered year, the ERS Board of Trustees is required to hold an election for the members and retirees of the system to nominate and elect a trustee. 

Every elected trustee must be employed at a State of Texas agency and currently contributing to the ERS Retirement Trust Fund. Members of the State of Texas Retirement program – including active employees who contribute to the Retirement Trust Fund, former employees who still have State of Texas Retirement accounts and retirees who receive annuities from ERS – can vote in trustee elections. 

Find more information in the Texas Administrative Code.