Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association
Fighting for Ohio's teachers since 1947!
The mission of ORTA is to monitor, advocate for, and protect the pensions and benefits of its members. ORTA demands accountability from the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio andlobbies Ohio's legislators to provide a strong and sustainable retirement system for all Ohio educators, Pre-K through higher education. We rely on membership dues to continue our work.
"Although ORTA is appreciative of the effort to bring consensus to the board on the reform process, I hope that the current decision matrix is the first phase of this pathway to benefits restoration. I am hopeful that the matrix will continue to evolve over time. Specifically, when conditions allow for benefit restoration." - Dr. Robin Rayfield
Weekly Update - May 23, 2026
Greetings ORTA Members,
It was an interesting week, though there was still no news on the Glennetta Krause case. Again, no news is good news because it maintains the Board’s current composition.
On May 14th, the Ohio Retirement Study Council (ORSC) held its monthly meeting, where each of the five pension systems in Ohio was to report its Fiscal Year 2027 budget. When STRS Director Toole presented the STRS fiscal year 2027 budget, he projected a 9.8% increase. The increase did not appear to be well-received by the ORSC Chair, Adam Bird. Chair Bird ended the STRS presentation by saying he wasn’t happy with the 9.8% increase and hoped our Board would take a close look at the budget. The discussion can be heard on the Ohio Channel (go to the 49-minute mark if you are interested). Six days later, on May 20, 2026, at the STRS Board meeting, members learned that the STRS 2027 Fiscal Year Budget has since been reduced to a 6.2% increase.
Also happening at the May 20, 2026, STRS meeting was ORTA’s message to our Board and STRS management regarding the COLA.
First, ORTA is pleased that STRS management and our board have worked diligently to provide a framework for benefit restoration. This plan has two components, a De-Minimis and Sustainable Benefit Plan, which were discussed in last week's update. ORTA truly appreciates the work and thoughtfulness put into this plan. ORTA has one significant problem, however, which ORTA publicly shared with the Board and management. Here is the problem: the De-Minimis alone is enough to cover a one-time 2% COLA, yet retirees didn’t see a 2% COLA for this year, or last year.
ORTA pointed out that section 3307.67 of the Ohio Revised Code requires granting a 2% COLA if the Board’s actuary determines there are adequate funds to grant the COLA. The Board’s actuary has determined the monies were there, but the Ohio code was ignored. ORTA has requested a response as to why.
My best and ORTA will continue to work for the interest of our members,
Dean Dennis, Chair
ORTA Executive Council
PS: No weekly update next week as I’ll be visiting family in Connecticut.
ORTA Pension Defense Fund
Please consider making a donation to the Pension Defense Fund to help pay legal fees and expenses to
defend and protect our pension and retirement benefits from current and future legal attacks.
Streaming Now!
Pension Fight Club
The new documentary, Pension Fight Club, is now available to stream online.
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Pension Fight Club is an investigative documentary by awardwinning filmmaker Doug Orchard that provides a national examination of the systemic financial risks and lack of transparency currently facing public retirement funds, including the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio).
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Click on the Purchase to Watch button.
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Pay $9.00. After you purchase the film, you can watch it as many time as you want to.
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Watch on your phone, tablet, laptop.â
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Cast it to your TV.
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Have a movie night for your colleagues, family, and friends.
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Share the link with your colleagues.
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Who's in the film?
You'll see Ohio teachers Trina Prufer, Robin Rayfield, Dean Dennis, and Rudy Fichtenbaum. Also in the film are John Damschroeder, Chris Tobe, and Ted Siedle.
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Click here to watch the trailer on YouTube.
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"30 years ago, public pensions were in great shape. Not anymore. What's going on? This groundbreaking 2026 documentary is a first-of-its-kind exposé that takes the most comprehensive look at the problem." - Doug Orchardââââââ
Stand Up for Rudy and His $100,000 Commitment to You
Throughout his career, and as an elected member of the STRS Ohio Retirement Board, Rudy Fichtenbaum fought for the rights of Ohio's educators. As an STRS board member and Chair, he stood on the front lines to protect and restore the retirement benefits teachers have earned through decades of hard work.
Now, Rudy faces a massive personal challenge. Because of his commitment to teachers, he was targeted by a lawsuit from the Ohio attorney general, incurring over $100,000 in legal fees defending his actions as a board member. While ORTA previously provided assistance, they were forced to cease due to an investigation by the Ohio Ethics Commission. Rudy must now finance this battle on his own. We cannot let an educator stand alone after he stood up for us.
Your contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing Rudy's story and his GoFundMe campaign with your network of colleagues and friends. Together, we can ensure that standing up for teachers doesn't result in individual financial ruin.
Close the Loop: Report Back to ORTA
To: ORTA Members
From: Dr. Robin Rayfield, Executive Director, ORTA
Date: April 9, 2026
Re: Contact Your State Elected Officials
ORTA has sent the enclosed letter (below) to all Ohio state legislators (Senators and Representatives). The purpose of this letter was to clearly outline the loss of benefits to STRS members and provide important background on the ongoing challenges facing our retirement system.
Now, we need your voice.
We are asking every ORTA member and chapter leader to personally contact your state Senator and Representative and urge them to support Ohio’s retired teachers. A phone call or email from a constituent carries significant weight—especially when legislators hear from multiple educators in their district.
What to Say: Key Talking PointsWhen contacting your elected officials, please emphasize the following:
Retirees Lack Inflation Protection
STRS members do not receive guaranteed inflation protection, despite being promised annual cost-of-living increases. Social Security recipients do receive guaranteed inflation protection. Additionally, Social Security benefits are not subject to Ohio income tax, while STRS benefits are taxed by the state.
Ohio Teachers Pay More but Receive Less
Ohio STRS members pay the highest individual contribution rate among non-Social Security states. At 14%, our members are contributing more into the system relative to the value of benefits received. At the same time, the employer contribution rate—also 14%—is the lowest among non-Social Security states and is less than half of the national average. This imbalance is a key driver of the challenges facing STRS retirees.
ED Choice Diverts Funding from Public Education
Ohio’s Ed Choice voucher program directs approximately $1.1 billion in taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools. This diverts critical funding away from public education and weakens the STRS system. The primary beneficiaries of these vouchers are families well above the poverty threshold.
Support HB 719
A bipartisan bill has been introduced at the statehouse that would protect the STRS pension board from a takeover by political appointees. HB 719 would reverse the amendment placed into the budget bill that silenced the voices of all STRS members. Most legislators didn’t even know the amendment was in the bill when they voted for the budget.
Oppose Property Tax Elimination That Harms Schools
The proposed elimination of property tax in Ohio will reduce support for public schools, along with other essential government services. ORTA urges all public officials to oppose this measure.
Close the Loop: Report Back to ORTA
After contacting your elected officials, please share their response—or lack of response—with the ORTA office. This information is critical as we continue to advocate on behalf of Ohio’s retired educators.
You can contact:
Dr. Robin Rayfield
Phone: 614-431-7002
Email: rrayfield@orta.org
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Judge grants preliminary injunction in lawsuit over Ohio teachers retirement system
On October 15th, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas issued a preliminary injunction preventing changes to the composition of the STRS Board while litigation is in progress.
ORTA wishes to thank the organizations and individuals who have engaged in our fight to retain elected teachers on the STRS Ohio Retirement Board.
The Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Education Association, and Ohio Conference of American Association of University Professors funded the injunction to stop the removal of elected teachers to the STRS Ohio Board. They released this statement:
“We are thankful for Judge Aveni’s ruling to grant a preliminary injunction. This determination confirms what retired and active members of STRS have known since June: this is an unconstitutional power grab by the legislature. Educators, just like all other public employees in Ohio, deserve a meaningful voice in our pension plan.” — Statement from OEA President Jeff Wensing, OFT President Melissa Cropper, and OC AAUP Executive Director Sara Kilpatrick.
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Colleen Marshall, NBC4 Columbus, has reported factually and without bias on STRS Ohio since the Governor's failed attempt to remove Wade Steen from the STRS Board in May 2023. Watch her report on Judge Aveni's decision to support the preliminary injunction.
David Pepper has dedicated many of his Substack articles to the state's ongoing attack on members of the STRS Ohio Board.
"I have detailed the saga of how Ohio’s always lawless lawmakers have spent years attempting to steal the power of teachers and retirees over their own ($100B) pension fund. And how a number of their attacks have been in clear violation of Ohio law and the constitution." - David Pepper
And above all, we want to thank all of Ohio's teachers who contacted their legislators, asking them not to support this attempt by a small group of politicians to remove democratically elected members from our pension Board.
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Join ORTA today! Take advantage of all of our member benefits!
Free AMBA Webinars
ORTA has partnered with AMBA to offer a series of short webinars about important topics like long term care, Medicare, medical transportation, and more. The talks are educational and informative. Join us for the next one, and invite a friend! ââ
Each webinar begins with an ORTA update by Dr. Robin Rayfield, Executive Director.ââ
ORTA County Chapters
Join your local county chapter of ORTA for social, educational, and volunteer activities, as well as presentations about STRS Ohio and your retirement benefits. Check our list of county chapters for links to chapter websites and Facebook groups. If your county doesn't have an active chapter, contact ORTA about starting one!
AMBA Benefits
ORTA has partnered with Association Member Benefits Advisors, to offer our members exclusive group rates on health, Medicare supplement, life, dental, vision, and professional liability insurance. AMBA focuses on providing customized coverage through top-rated insurance providers, with options often available to members who may not otherwise qualify for group rates. â
ORTA Video Library