One of the most common questions we get from Texans considering independence is whether they’ll lose their federal pension benefits if Texas leaves the union. It’s an understandable concern. After all, we’re talking about Social Security, military retirement pay, federal civilian pensions, and VA benefits that hardworking Texans have earned through decades of service and contributions.
The short answer is this: Yes, you’ll still get your benefits. But let me explain why.
The Reality of Federal Policy
Here’s what most folks don’t realize – people already live outside the United States and collect their federal pension benefits every single month. The federal government has well-established policies for paying benefits to recipients living abroad. This isn’t some theoretical concept we’re debating. It’s happening right now.
Federal civilian retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) can live anywhere in the world and continue receiving their retirement annuity. There are no residency-based disqualifications. The Office of Personnel Management doesn’t care if you’re living in Paris, France or Paris, Texas — your pension check keeps coming.
Social Security works the same way for U.S. citizens. You can receive your benefits while living outside the United States as long as you remain eligible and reside in a country where payments can be sent. Military retirees face no residency restrictions either. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will send your retirement pay wherever you call home.
VA pensions? Same story. They’re payable regardless of your place of residence.
Why This Matters for Texas Independence
When Texas becomes an independent nation, Texans don’t stop being Texans. More importantly, the federal government doesn’t stop owing them the benefits they’ve earned. These aren’t gifts from Washington — they’re earned benefits that represent decades of service, contributions, and sacrifice.
Think about it this way: If a retired federal employee moves to Germany, their pension doesn’t stop. If a Social Security recipient decides to spend their golden years in Costa Rica, their checks keep coming. Why would Texas be any different?
The only countries where federal benefits can’t be sent are those under U.S. Treasury sanctions – places like Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria. Does anyone seriously believe that an independent Texas would fall into that category? We’re talking about Texas, not some rogue nation.
The Negotiation Reality
Now, I want to be clear about something. While federal policy already supports continuing these payments, this will absolutely be part of the negotiations between Texas and the United States following a successful independence referendum.
Our position will be straightforward and non-negotiable: Any Texan who has paid into the Social Security system and is currently receiving benefits should continue to receive them. Any Texan who has earned federal civilian or military retirement benefits should continue to receive them. This was an obligation undertaken by the federal government to those who paid in and served, and it should be met without question, hesitation, or reservation.
This isn’t just about fairness – it’s about honoring commitments made to hardworking Americans who played by the rules their entire careers.
The Practical Side
From a practical standpoint, continuing these payments makes sense for everyone involved. The federal government already has the infrastructure in place to send payments worldwide. They already deal with currency exchanges, international banking, and tax withholding for overseas recipients.
For Social Security specifically, they’ve even established “totalization agreements” with 30 other countries to prevent dual taxation and ensure smooth benefit transfers for people who’ve worked in multiple countries. There’s no reason Texas couldn’t have a similar agreement with the United States.
The total amount of federal money that comes back to Texas annually for federal pension benefits is approximately $74 billion. But here’s the kicker — that’s still far short of the $120-$160 billion annually that we overpay into the federal system. In other words, if they choose the immoral route and try to cut off benefits to Texans, we’ve got more than enough resources to take care of our own.
Beyond the Scare Tactics
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Some opponents of Texas independence want to scare seniors and veterans by suggesting they’ll lose their benefits if Texas becomes independent. This is nothing more than fear-mongering designed to prevent Texans from exercising their right of self-determination.
The reality is far different. Countries around the world maintain pension and social security agreements with each other. It’s standard practice in international relations. The idea that the United States would suddenly become hostile to basic pension payments for people who spent their careers serving the country is absurd.
Looking Forward
Here’s what we expect will happen: Following a successful independence referendum, Texas and the United States will negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering these benefits. It will likely include provisions for:
- Continued payment of all earned federal benefits to current recipients
- Preservation of accrued benefits for those who haven’t yet retired
- Options for current workers to either continue in the federal system or transition to a Texas-based system
- Totalization agreements to prevent double taxation and ensure smooth transitions
This isn’t wishful thinking. It’s how these issues are handled around the world when political relationships change.
The Bottom Line
Federal pension recipients have nothing to fear from Texas independence. Your benefits are safe. In fact, they may be more secure in an independent Texas that actually values the contributions of our seniors and veterans, rather than a federal government that’s driving toward bankruptcy and threatening the long-term viability of these programs.
The federal government has existing policies that already cover exactly this situation. They send pension checks to retirees living all over the world, every month, without fail. An independent Texas would be no different.
So to every Texan who’s worried about their federal pension — Social Security, military retirement, federal civilian retirement, or VA benefits — let me be clear: You’ve earned those benefits through your service and contributions. Texas independence doesn’t change that. If anything, it ensures that you’ll have a government closer to home that actually respects the promises made to you.
Your benefits will be there. That’s not just a promise — it’s already federal policy.
