Juneteenth, commemorated annually since 2021 as a federal observance, marks a pivotal moment in American history—the end of slavery. It also serves as a stark reminder of the continuous struggle for justice and equality in the United States. In the context of public pensions, Juneteenth underscores the importance of secure retirement plans in promoting economic equity for all Texans.

In 2018, public pension benefit dollars represented between 0.4% and 1.1% on average of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for each county type in Texas. New research indicates that public pension plans have a particularly positive economic impact on small towns and rural communities.