Dr. Robin Rayfield to Ohio's politicians: "Retired teachers face poverty in retirement."

Dr. Robin Rayfield addressed the STRS Ohio Board during the February 2026 Board meeting.

Good morning. My name is Robin Rayfield. I am a member of STRS and Executive Director of ORTA.

The ORTA Executive Committee met recently and established goals for 2026. Several of the goals established by ORTA are closely related to the STRS board and decisions you make. For example:

• One ORTA goal is to see a restoration of benefits that members were promised. STRS often refers to ‘benefit enhancements’. Paying people what they were promised and what was guaranteed by law is not an enhancement. On the other hand, a loss of 25% of purchasing power that has occurred in less than 1 decade is a ‘benefit reduction’. Limiting the possibility of restoring our promised benefit to 1% maximum unless STRS is 90% funded does not meet ORTA’s expectation.

• We also have a goal of informing politicians in Ohio that retired teachers face poverty in retirement. Many seem to be uninformed about the challenges STRS members face. With several political appointments on this board, it should be easy to have our board members carry that message to their appointers. Once appointed to this board it is important to recognize that your responsibility is to the membership of STRS not the politician that appointed you.

• ORTA also recognizes that the work of the STRS board has been severely restricted by political forces. The democratically elected members of this board have struggled against political forces to provide some restoration of promised benefits. Your efforts are appreciated. ORTA’s goals include support for the continuation of an elected board.

  
  

Thank you for your service to the members of STRS.

Dr. Robin Rayfield February 18, 2026