Ohio educators are encouraging the state legislature to make adjustments to the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) once they return from summer break. A year ago, the General Assembly used the state operating budget to make significant changes to the board controlling the pension system Ohio public teachers rely on. Educators have denounced those changes ever since, and House Bill 719, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon) would basically hit the reset button. “This i

We are aware that STRS is underfunded, and I am glad that, although decades late to the party, STRS has made the fact that the system is underfunded known to the legislative bodies in Ohio. Although not optimistic that the elected officials in Ohio will offer any assistance, it is encouraging that the discussions surrounding STRS include the fact that Ohio does less than any other state in the US to support teacher pensions.

Dean Dennis, ORTA Executive Board Chair, addressed the STRS Ohio Board on June 25, 2026. The National Retired Teachers Association was founded in 1947. The Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association, ORTA, was founded in 1949. Our organization is 77 years old. Both organizations were founded to advocate for retired teachers and ensure they had a voice at the state legislative and state board levels. At the state level, ORTA is well aware that Ohio’s legislators are either bli

ORTA county chapters serve as grassroots hubs for retired educators. They focus on pension advocacy, providing community networking opportunities, and delivering local member benefits. ORTA county chapters offer a variety of activities for their members: Pension Advocacy and Updates: County chapters frequently host guest speakers—often ORTA state directors or Executive Council members. These presentations provide crucial updates regarding the State Teachers Retirement System

Since 2018, ORTA has repeatedly asked STRS Ohio to develop a road map to COLA restoration. In March 2026, STRS developed a Sustainable Benefit Plan (SBP) Decision Matrix. While ORTA is pleased that STRS has developed a road map to COLA restoration, we are less than pleased with the way that money will be allocated. ORTA believes that retirees, who have lived over a decade without predictable inflation protection, should be prioritized when money is available for benefit resto

Even though STRS Actuaries and Management and the Legislators, all know that STRS has been underfunded for decades, there has been no employer contribution increase in 43 years, while teacher contributions increased 9 times over the same time period.

Hello Ohio STRS members. I'm a reporter at NBC News who has covered the problems at STRS in the past and has recently heard from many members that it's time for another story. A place for me to start might be to hear from members who are experiencing financial hardships as a result of the pension's practices. I'd welcome members' stories at my work email: gretchen.morgenson@nbcuni.com. Thank you! All ideas invited!

In the mid-1940s, celebrated educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus discovered a distinguished former teacher living in a backyard chicken coop because her meager pension couldn't afford proper housing or healthcare. This shocking discovery inspired Dr. Andrus's historic advocacy for older Americans and the founding of NRTA and AARP.

Date: June 16, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM EST Long-term care is one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning. We're breaking down what's covered, what's not, and what options you have. You'll learn: What Medicare does and doesn't cover The real costs of long-term care Alternative strategies you may not know about Make informed decisions now to protect your future. Every AMBA webinar begins with an ORTA Update with Robin Rayfield, ORTA's Executive Director. AMBA webinars