The second topic I want to discuss is what STRS refers to as the SBP. This acronym stands for Sustainable Benefit Program. If you recall, ORTA has been asking for a ‘pathway’ to COLA for several years. In speeches to the STRS board I have asked about a pathway or plan for COLA restoration. For years, the answer from STRS was ‘We are doing our best. We are investing the money prudently and slowly but surely the pension is improving’. But there was no identified action plan or strategic plan to pay retirees what they were promised. In December of 2025, a plan was put forward that would provide a pathway or roadmap to pay retirees more of what they were promised. The December version of the SBP Decision Matrix was modified and in March of this year the board passed a policy that provides a template for increasing retiree benefits. This template also includes a plan to strengthen the pension and for reducing the years of service requirement for active contributors. Some basic information to help everyone understand what to expect include:

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• No increases in benefits are available unless the funded ratio is above 80%.

• If the funded ration is above 80% but less than 90% money may be available for increases in benefits. However, the money available is ‘split’ three ways. Some of the money available will go towards strengthening the pension, some of the money will go towards reducing the years of service for actives, and some of the money will go towards increases for retirees.

• As the pension is strengthened, and the funding ratio improves to 90% or 100% more money becomes available for retirees and for active people as the unfunded liabilities are paid down.

   

Retirees have provided information to STRS through surveys that support the notions of strengthening the pension and the need for inflation protection. In the current year (FY 2027) the ‘split’ of money between the three areas looks like this:

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• 1.2 billion dollars to strengthen the pension (50% of what is available)

• $700 million for COLA to retirees (30% of what is available)

• $435 million to reduce the number of years of service to 32 years through 2035 (20% of what is available)

Although ORTA believes that the division of the money should be weighted so that a 2% COLA is guaranteed, we also recognize that the board is working toward the goal of a permanent COLA for retirees. 

ORTA Political Advocacy

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ORTA is working to collect information on where state elected representatives and senators stand on matters of importance to STRS members. ORTA has reached out via email and mailed letters to each representative and senator describing our concerns with the STRS pension system and other matters concerning education. The areas of concern we have shared include:

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• STRS retirees were promised inflation protection, however with the suspension of a guaranteed COLA beneficiaries have not received this benefit. The result of the loss of COLA amounts to a loss of purchasing power approaching 25% since 2017.

• Ohio’s employer rate paid to STRS is one of the lowest in the nation. Specifically, Ohio’s employer contribution (14%) is less than ½ of the national average of employer rates.

• ORTA asks that all elected officials support HB 719 that eliminates the amendment in the state budget that changes the composition of the pension board from a majority of elected pension board members to an overwhelming majority of politically appointed STRS board members.

• ORTA points out that the Ed Choice Voucher system in place violates Ohio’s constitution and hurts the public schools in Ohio. Each year Ohio sends over 1 billion dollars in vouchers to private schools. Most of the families receiving vouchers are well above the poverty line. Every Ohio taxpayer is either receiving an Ed Choice voucher or is paying for an Ed Choice voucher.

• ORTA warns all elected officials that the effort to eliminate property tax in Ohio will have catastrophic consequences not only for schools in Ohio but for all essential governmental services. 

Thus far very few of the elected officials contacted have responded to ORTA’s contacts. Many ORTA members have reached out to their locally elected state officials and have received non-committal responses. It appears that the elected people currently holding office have little regard for the concerns of the educators in their districts. As the fall election approaches ORTA plans to provide an information sheet that will include where each elected official stands on matters of importance to STRS retirees.