The beginning of a new year is a good time to pause. Not to overhaul everything, but to reflect on what matters most and where renewed focus can make a real difference. For public employee pension trustees and administrators, New Year’s resolutions are less about personal ambition and more about responsibility, consistency, and trust.

This moment also aligns closely with the mission of TEXPERS: to strengthen Texas by expanding awareness of public pension issues, providing high-quality training to retirement system decision-makers, and working to help ensure the promised benefits of public employees. Setting priorities for the year ahead is a natural extension of that work.

With that in mind, here are a few resolutions worth carrying into the year ahead.

Revisit the Basics of Fiduciary Responsibility

Fiduciary duties remain unchanged, even when markets fluctuate. It is easy to be drawn toward short-term performance or external pressure, especially during periods of uncertainty. A useful resolution is to return to first principles.

That may involve refreshing fiduciary training, revisiting governance policies, or ensuring that newer trustees are fully grounded in their roles. When boards share a strong understanding of fiduciary responsibility, they are better equipped to navigate difficult decisions with confidence.

Stay Disciplined on Funding

Funding improvement is rarely the result of a single action. It comes from steady, consistent follow-through. Many Texas pension systems have made meaningful progress by sticking to funding plans and maintaining contribution discipline.

A solid resolution for the year ahead is to maintain that discipline. Monitor amortization trends, stay aligned with adopted funding policies, and remember that long-term sustainability often requires patience and consistency.

Communicate Clearly and Often

Public pensions are complex, but confusion often stems from how information is communicated rather than from the information itself. Clear, straightforward communication builds trust with board members, employees, retirees, and policymakers.

Trustees and administrators may resolve to simplify board materials, provide clear summaries alongside technical reports, and address common questions openly. Clear communication does not require perfect news. It requires transparency and clarity.

Treat Education as an Ongoing Priority

Public pension systems operate in a complex and evolving environment shaped by economic conditions, regulatory changes, and shifting investment strategies. Education should reflect that reality.

Rather than treating education as an occasional requirement, trustees and administrators can commit to making it a continuous and ongoing process. Conferences, workshops, and peer learning all contribute to strengthening governance and decision-making over time.

This focus on education is especially timely as TEXPERS prepares to host its 2026 Annual Conference from April 26 to 29 at The San Luis Resort, Spa, and Conference Center in Galveston, Texas. The conference will also include Basic and Advanced Trustee Training on April 25, providing an opportunity for trustees and administrators to strengthen their knowledge while connecting with peers from across the state.

Take a Fresh Look at Risk

Risk is not static. Inflation, interest rates, market volatility, and demographic pressures all influence a system’s risk profile.

The start of a new year is a good opportunity to step back and assess whether assumptions remain valid, whether stress scenarios are well understood, and whether the board has a shared understanding of risk. The goal is not to eliminate risk, but to understand it clearly and manage it deliberately.

Stay Engaged in the Policy Environment

Policy decisions can shape public pension systems for years. Even outside of active legislative sessions, staying informed matters.

A practical resolution is to follow policy discussions at the state and national level, understand how they could affect public retirement systems, and be prepared to explain the role pensions play in supporting public employees and local communities. Awareness today can prevent challenges tomorrow.

Keep Members at the Center of the Work

Behind every actuarial report and investment return are public employees and retirees who rely on these benefits for their financial security. It is easy to lose sight of that in the day-to-day work.

A meaningful resolution is to regularly consider how decisions affect members, not just financially, but in terms of understanding, confidence, and trust. When members understand their benefits and trust the system managing them, the entire system is stronger.

As the year begins, now is a good time to recommit to education, collaboration, and long-term stewardship. Trustees and administrators are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to learn from peers, strengthen governance practices, and stay engaged with the broader public pension community through TEXPERS educational programs and events in the year ahead. For updates on the 2026 Annual Conference, visit www.texpers.org.