Let's tweak the roadmap so it slants toward the members and less toward strengthening the pension.

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 restoration.

The STRS Ohio board's priority is strengthening the pension, over restoring COLA and reducing years of service.

In the spring of 2026, when money was available, 30% of that money would have guaranteed us a 2% COLA. 30% could then have been allocated to reducing YOS for active teachers and another 30% to strengthening the fund.

Instead, the board gave a larger portion to strengthening the fund and retirees got a 1.6% COLA and 32 YOS was extended to 2035 for active teachers.

"Let's tweak the roadmap so it slants toward the members and less toward strengthening the pension." - Robin Rayfield

Watch this recording of the May AMBA webinar to hear more from Dr. Rayfield and then stay to find out what they don't tell you about long-term care.