ORTA's letter to all Oohio legislators 4/3/2026

From the Desk of 500,000+ Ohio Teachers Writer: ORTA 

Apr 1. 2026, Updated: Apr 3

This letter was sent on March 30, 2026, to our Senators and Representatives in the Ohio General Assembly.

Dear Ohio Legislator,

In 1920, the Ohio General Assembly created the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) of Ohio. In 1947, the Ohio Retirement Teacher Association (ORTA) was founded to represent the interests of retired teachers at the General Assembly and with STRS. Ohio’s population is 11.7 million. STRS members (500,000) and their families make up nearly 10% of Ohio’s population.

In this election year, it is important that we share our concerns with you and that you respond to ORTA so we know you have received them. Hundreds of thousands of active and retired educator —and their families—are paying close attention to decisions impacting their retirement security.

Below is a brief list of concerns:

Retirees Are Falling Behind Without Inflation Protection

STRS members do not receive Social Security; our inflation protection is only provided by our STRS pension. Since 2017, STRS retirees have fallen 25% behind Ohio’s Social Security recipients. Retirees need inflation protection. Closely connected to the Social Security comparison, it is important to note that STRS beneficiaries pay Ohio income tax on the benefits they receive, while Social Security recipients do not pay Ohio income tax on those benefits.

Ohio Ranks Last in Supporting Its Teachers’ Pension

STRS actuaries depend on Employer Contributions and Employee Contributions, coupled with investment returns, to pay for benefits. Of all 50 states, Ohio has gone the longest without raising the Employer Contribution Rate (since July 1983). When comparing the average Employer Contribution Rate with other non-Social Security states, Ohio comes in at 14% compared to the aggregated average of 30%. Ohio’s Employer Contribution Rate is the lowest. Consultants have identified this as the primary reason Ohio’s retired teachers lack reliable inflation protection.

ED Choice Diverts Critical Funding from Public Education and STRS

ED Choice hurts the STRS pension system. Over the past three fiscal years, approximately $2.3 billion has been appropriated for vouchers to private and religious schools. These vouchers divert money away from public schools and the STRS pension system, further harming teachers when they retire. The primary beneficiaries of these dollars are families significantly above the poverty line.

Protect Educators’ Voice: Support HB 719

The budget bill passed in Ohio last July attempted to strip away the voice of Ohio’s educators. The amendment slipped into the budget bill at reconciliation would remove teachers from the STRS board. HB 719 is supported by advocates of public education across Ohio. ORTA urges you to support HB 719 (Hoops) and ensure educators continue to have a voice in their own retirement system.

Oppose Property Tax Elimination That Harms Schools

The proposed elimination of property tax in Ohio will reduce support for public schools, along with other essential government services. ORTA urges all elected officials to oppose this measure. ORTA members are seeking your support regarding the above concerns, which are under the control of Ohio legislators.

Stand With Ohio’s Educators

We encourage you to contact us directly by email to share your support for Ohio’s educators and retirees and the priorities outlined above. ORTA and its members are actively engaged and will be communicating with our statewide network as the upcoming election approaches.

You can email Robin Rayfield at rrayfield@orta.org or call 614-431-7002 to discuss these issues further.

Your engagement on these matters will not go unnoticed by the educators and families across Ohio who are closely following decisions that impact their future. Thank you for your dedication to the well-being of Ohio’s teachers and for considering this significant opportunity.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robin Rayfield

Executive Director and Decades-Long School Administrator