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

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).

Now is the perfect time to join your local ORTA chapter. ORTA county chapters play an important role in supporting Ohio’s retired educators through pension advocacy, networking opportunities, member benefits, and community involvement. Joining your local chapter is a great way to stay informed, connected, and engaged during retirement.

Recognizing that there will be years in the future that the amount of money available will be less than what was available this year, it is important that the priority of protecting STRS members (active and retired) be prioritized over satisfying politicians that have little regard for our retirement system.