I’m not sure what should be ORTA’s primary goal if it is not to pressure STRS to fulfill its obligation to the membership of the pension system.

Greetings ORTA Members!

The news out of Columbus these days contains information related to STRS. As usual, much of what is printed is slanted towards the leadership at STRS. The two ‘beat writers’ covering matters at STRS rarely provide what would be considered evenhanded. Despite the negative slant in the press, the gains made on behalf of STRS members orchestrated by the STRS board members are noteworthy.

• At April’s board meeting the board voted to provide 1.5% COLA to eligible members. This means that if you have served your 5-year ‘waiting period’ your benefit will increase by 1.5% going forward. This 1.5% is calculated on your original benefit at the time of your retirement. 

• The years of service requirement for active contributors decreased to 32 years for the next 5 years. If a person reaches the 32 years of service requirement within the next 5 years, that person will be eligible for retirement with no reduction. 

• The STRS board met on Wednesday May 14 to interview candidates for the position of Executive Director at STRS. Complicating this process is a recent letter from the governor and other high ranking state officials asking STRS to postpone the selection of a new executive director. 

• In a very controversial action, the Ohio Retirement Study Council (ORSC) met on May 8, 2025. The discussion that is of great interest to STRS members centered around changing the composition of the STRS board. It appears that the elected officials have decided that they do not want a democratically controlled board to make decisions about the STRS pension system. The current composition of the board is comprised of 7 elected people (2 retirees and 5 active contributors) and 4 appointed board members. The governor controls the appointment of two members, the leaders of the house and senate combining to appoint one member, and the Treasurer of the State appoints one member. Teachers currently hold 7 of the 11 seats. This has worked for decades, however as the Toledo Blade’s editorial board pointed out, ‘If you can’t beat them, eliminate their vote. This is opposed to every democratic principle we all believe in. ORTA urges its members to reach out to their elected state officials to voice objections to any changes that would eliminate the democratically elected majority of the STRS pension board. 

• In news about an older matter, the appellate court in Columbus confirmed a Magistrate’s ruling that Edward Siedle is entitled to the public records he has been requesting since 2021. You may recall that Mr. Siedle conducted a forensic audit of the STRS pension in 2021. STRS refused his public records requests on investment fees and performance. STRS has 20 days to appeal the appellate court’s decision.  

I received a call from an ORTA member concerned that ORTA has ‘become too political’ and feels like the efforts to improve the STRS pension system have created controversy for the organization. It is possible that in our battle for transparency and creating conditions that would allow the STRS board to pay more of what we all were promised, our tone or choice of words have become harsher than what we would like to use. I also recognize that there are members that do not consider advocacy as ORTA’s primary goal. I’m not sure what should be ORTA’s primary goal if it is not to pressure STRS to fulfill its obligation to the membership of the pension system. Decades of mismanagement and adherence to a culture that values employees of the system over the people that pay into the system has created the mess that is STRS. It has only been through the advocacy of ORTA, STRS Members Only Forum, OFT, and STRS Watchdogs that a majority of the board seeking reform at STRS has been established. Now that a majority of members have elected ‘reformers’ to the STRS Board, it is possible that significant reform can take place. The evidence that reform is coming is strong: 

• Election of 7 of the 11 STRS board members who have all pledged to reform the STRS pension system 

• COLAs provided in 2022, 2023, and 2025. Supplemental benefit payment in 2024 

• Reduction of years of service requirements from 60 years of age to 35 years, to 34 years, to 32 years at present 

• Policy changes that require adherence to Roberts Rules of Order and reduce the lavish bonus payment to staff (although Ohio’s AG intervened and reduced the cuts to the bonus payments) 

• Success in Ohio’s courts winning two legal challenges 

• Continued exposure of the lack of transparency at STRS through the legal process

I recognize that not everyone agrees with the way ORTA has defended all STRS members. I welcome the opportunity to speak directly with any member that has concerns about the direction of ORTA. Because we disagree, it does not mean that we are adversaries. Feel free to email me at rrayfield@orta.org or call me at 614-431-7002.

The ORTA Board will meet on May 28, 2025, at the ORTA office. Please contact Mia Landrum at the ORTA office at 614-431-7002 if you would like details.

Dr. Robin Rayfield, Executive Director

May 27, 2025