Relating to cost-of-living increases applicable to certain benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

HB 2319 requires the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to adjust certain retirement, disability, and death benefits annually based on inflation. Specifically, it mandates that the TRS board set a cost-of-living adjustment rate each October using the same inflation data (CPI-W) used for Social Security benefits, effective for payments starting January 1, 2026. The bill allows the board to scale back the adjustment if the system lacks sufficient funds while maintaining financial stability, but no increase can be paid without a finding of actuarial soundness. This change directly affects TRS beneficiaries who receive these specific benefits. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, with adjustments applying to benefits paid on or after January 1, 2026.