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Houston City Council questions pension chairperson as municipal retirees await payments | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 15:23 GMT by Houston Public Media

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City Council Scrutinizes Pension Chairperson as Houston Retirees Await Paychecks

In a move that has drawn sharp attention from both municipal employees and the city’s governing body, the Houston City Council opened a formal inquiry into the conduct of the Houston City Employees Retirement System (HCERS) chairperson. The investigation comes at a time when a significant number of municipal retirees are still waiting on their pensions, sparking concerns over whether mismanagement or policy changes may be at fault.

The council’s probing began in a Thursday session, in which the council chair, Councilmember Maria Garcia, called for transparency regarding the HCERS board’s recent decisions. “We have a duty to our retirees, and we cannot continue to operate under an atmosphere of uncertainty,” Garcia told the meeting. “I’m requesting a full audit of the board’s activities over the past two years.”

The HCERS chairperson, David Thompson, has been at the center of the controversy. Thompson was appointed to the position in 2021 and has overseen the pension fund’s investment strategy and payout schedules. According to the council’s own minutes (link: [City Council Minutes – HCERS Inquiry]), Thompson’s tenure has been marked by a series of contentious decisions, including the recent shift to a more aggressive investment portfolio that has yet to yield the promised returns.

Retirees, many of whom rely on monthly pension payments to cover living expenses, have voiced frustration over the delays. “We’re living on the edge,” said Cecil Brooks, a retired Houston police officer who has been waiting for his first pension check since June. “I’m not the only one—about 2,300 retirees have not yet received their payments. We deserve answers.”

The city’s Municipal Employees Retirement System (MCER) board has defended Thompson’s record, noting that the fund’s net assets have increased by 8% over the past year. However, the council’s inquiry has highlighted that pension disbursements have fallen short of projections, with a lag of up to 90 days in some cases. An independent audit conducted by the Texas Comptroller’s Office in July indicated that “internal controls could be strengthened to prevent similar delays in the future.”

The inquiry was also prompted by a letter from the Houston Retirees Association (HRA), which requested the council’s intervention. In their letter (link: [HRA Letter to City Council]), the association listed several grievances: the lack of clear communication about payment schedules, questions about the fund’s investment choices, and concerns over the HCERS board’s decision-making process. HRA President Linda Patel stated, “The retirees’ trust in the system has eroded, and we need to restore confidence.”

Councilmember Garcia urged the HCERS board to submit a detailed report outlining how it plans to address the delays and improve transparency. Thompson, in his reply to the council’s request (link: [HCERS Response to Council]), pledged to expedite the payment process and cited a “temporary technical glitch” that had slowed the distribution of pension checks. He further stated that the board was working closely with the city’s finance department to resolve the issue.

The city’s Finance Committee, led by Councilmember John Rivera, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the inquiry. Rivera emphasized that “the integrity of our pension system is foundational to the city’s ability to attract and retain top talent.” Rivera also called for a possible restructuring of the HCERS board, suggesting the addition of a financial oversight committee.

The investigation also touches on the broader issue of municipal pension fund management across Texas. Several Texas cities have recently faced similar challenges, prompting state-level discussions about pension fund reforms. The Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) has announced plans to introduce new reporting standards that could affect HCERS’s operations.

In the days following the council session, the city announced that it would hold a public hearing on September 25th to allow retirees, board members, and other stakeholders to present their views. The hearing will be streamed live and the agenda posted on the Houston Public Media website (link: [HPM HCERS Hearing Schedule]). The public hearing is a critical opportunity for the council to gauge community sentiment and decide on any further action.

The city council’s questioning of the pension chairperson signals a turning point for Houston’s municipal retirement system. If the inquiry leads to reforms, the city could set a precedent for transparent pension management that benefits both retirees and current employees. Until then, the 2,300 retirees who are still awaiting their first pension check remain in a state of uncertainty, underscoring the urgency of a swift resolution.

Key Takeaways

• The Houston City Council has opened an inquiry into HCERS chairperson David Thompson after retirees reported delays in pension payments.
• Councilmember Maria Garcia called for a full audit and greater transparency.
• Retirees, represented by the Houston Retirees Association, have demanded answers and highlighted concerns over fund management.
• Thompson’s board has defended its record, citing increased net assets and a “temporary technical glitch.”
• A public hearing scheduled for September 25th will allow stakeholders to present evidence and propose solutions.
• The outcome could set a precedent for pension fund oversight in Texas, with potential reforms recommended by the Texas Municipal Retirement System.

As the inquiry unfolds, all eyes remain on the city’s ability to balance fiscal responsibility with the promise of a secure retirement for its dedicated public servants.