STRS lowers retirement eligibility age
“Ohio’s teachers dedicate their lives and careers to serving their students, and when they leave their classrooms, they must be able to count on a stable, secure pension they can’t outlive. STRS Board members who served over the last ten years made responsible, often difficult, decisions to ensure the pension system’s long-term solvency for today’s retirees and active teachers, as well as those who will be entering the profession in the future, and their hard work put the system in the position to allow these eligibility changes now,” said Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro. “We thank them for their leadership and stand with OEA members who are celebrating these benefit enhancements.”
Beginning June 1, 2025, STRS members will be eligible to retire with 33 years of service at any age (down from 34 years of service currently). Additionally, members will be eligible for early retirement, with reduced benefits, with 28 years of service. This is a temporary adjustment for three years. These rules will be in place through July 2027.
The eligibility change is coupled with the Board action last month to provide a supplemental benefit payment to retirees in December. Supplemental payments will be paid to those who have been retired for a year or more and are calculated based on an individual’s years of service and the number of years the person has been retired, with the average payment being $1,720 before taxes.
The total cost of the supplemental benefit payments is estimated to be $306 million. The estimated cost of the temporary retirement eligibility change is $311 million. The Board may make additional changes in the spring when it fully evaluates the available budget for sustainable benefit enhancements.
“OEA has always, and will always, stand up for the long-term health of the pension system for all STRS contributors – active, retired, and future teachers alike.” DiMauro said. “We will continue to use our united voice to ensure educators’ pensions are protected and prosperous for years to come.”
October 2024 OEA Retirement Systems Update
STRS to Make Additional Payment to Retirees in December
The STRS Board voted on Thursday, October 17, 2024, to pay a “supplemental benefit payment” to system retirees in December. State law allows STRS to provide such a payment, but it had not been utilized since 2000. Supplemental payments will be paid to those who have been retired for a year or more and will come as a separate payment in December. Some may remember this type of payment as a “13th check.”
The supplemental benefit payment differs from a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) in a number of ways. It is a one-time payment, whereas a COLA is an increase that is factored into future benefit payments. The eligibility and calculations are also different. A COLA is a percentage of a member’s base benefit and STRS members who have been retired for five or more years are eligible for COLAs under state statute. The supplemental benefit payment is calculated based on multiplying a dollar amount determined by the board by a member’s number of units (the number of years of service plus the number of years the member has been retired). Based on strong investment returns, the Board’s actuary determined that the fund was in a strong enough position to consider the payments but that it would factor into the “budget” for benefit improvements available.
The Board voted to approve supplemental benefit payments with a multiplier of $40 per unit. Based on this, the average gross payment will be $1,720. The amount is taxable, and taxes will be withheld. The total cost of the supplemental benefit payments is estimated at $306 million. The Board indicated this will use a portion of the anticipated budget available and will allow the Board to consider retirement eligibility changes at a future meeting.
STRS Board Chooses Consultant and Seats New Board Appointees
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the STRS Board voted to select Global Governance Advisors (GGA) as a consultant for board governance. In May, STRS issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a consultant to assist the board with recommendations related to board policies, strategic planning, education, and enterprise risk management.
STRS received proposals from six potential consultants. STRS staff narrowed the list of candidates to two based on their proposals, but Board Chair Rudy Fichtenbaum pushed for a third proposal, from the Hackett Group, to be considered. Hackett had the highest price, lacked relevant experience and insufficient references. Nevertheless, Fichtenbaum and others on the Board continued to voice support for them. It was later revealed through a public records request that a member of the Hackett Group was sending messages to Fichtenbaum after the RFP was posted, a violation of STRS policy and state ethics laws. Ultimately, the Board voted to approve GGA instead. To see some of the reporting on this and related issues, click here.
The October meeting was also the first meeting for two new appointees to the STRS Board. Jonathan Allison was named as the Governor’s appointee to the Board. He replaced the previous appointee, Wade Steen, whose term had expired. Allison previously served in state government as the Chief of Staff to Governor Bob Taft. Additionally, the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) named Carolyn Everidge-Frey to the Board as the new designee for DEW Director Stephen Dackin. Dr. Scott Hunt previously held the role.
Click here to download a copy of this October 2024 Report to the OEA Board of Directors. Previous Retirement Systems Updates can be viewed under the Affiliate Resources tab on the OEA website.
OEA 2024 Election Guide
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October-November 2024 Ohio Schools
The Ohio Schools’ October/November issue and OEA 2024 OEA Election Guide offer a wealth of information about the candidates and issues on the ballot this year, so you have the resources you need to make an informed decision when you vote on or before November 5.
In this issue, OEA members share why educator voices are key to all elections and why it’s important for educators to serve in public office. You’ll learn how member solidarity and community support helped the Mason Education Association achieve a strong contract; celebrate the work of Central Ohio members to promote racial, social, and economic justice, and an award-winning North Olmsted educator teaching students to be “Guardians” of the Earth; hear from a local president about her work to lead her union; and pay tribute to former OEA President Don Wilson. Also included are retirement planning resources, legislative updates, information on the new OEA and NEA Member Benefits discounted college tuition program, and more.
Moved recently? Contact the OEA Member Hotline to update the address on file at 1-844-OEA-Info (1-844-632-4636) or email, membership@ohea.org. Representatives are available Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. | OhioSchools — Past Issues
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September 2024 OEA Retirement Systems Update
SERS Board Approves 2.5% COLA for 2025
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the SERS Board unanimously approved a 2.5% cost-of-living allowance (COLA) for eligible SERS retirees. This COLA amount is the maximum allowed under state law for SERS. The 2.5% COLA will be paid to SERS retirees in calendar year 2025.
Statute allows SERS to provide a cost-of-living allowance based on the Consumer Price Index over a twelve-month period (June to June). That figure was 2.9%. However, state law does cap the COLA amount at 2.5% and further notes that COLA payments are subject to further reduction or elimination if such payments would have a material impact on the solvency or health of the retirement plan. SERS reported investment earnings of 9.61% over the past fiscal year and an improving funded status. Given these factors, the Board voted in support of a 2.5% COLA.
In further action, the Board elected to continue to not allocate any of the 14% employer contribution to the health care fund. The health care fund has a solvency of over 40 years and receives an employer surcharge of 1.5% of payroll. The Board determined that the full employer contribution was needed for pension benefits which are statutorily required as opposed to health care which is discretionary.
Sponsors of GPO-WEP Repeal Push for Floor Vote
Work continues to try to fully repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These are provisions of federal law that unfairly punish public service by reducing earned Social Security benefits or spousal and survivor benefits when a public sector retiree collects a pension from a jurisdiction (such as Ohio) where they did not contribute to Social Security.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is a lead sponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act (S. 597) which would fully repeal GPO-WEP. This legislation now boasts 62 bipartisan cosponsors—a filibuster proof majority of the Senate. Senator Brown and OEA have called upon Senate leadership to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.
H.R. 82 is companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill has 327 bipartisan cosponsors. The sponsors of the bill have started a discharge petition to try to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Such a petition would require 218 signatures, a majority of Congress. OEA is calling upon members of the Ohio Congressional delegation to sign the petition and support the bill. You can contact your legislator and urge their support by clicking here to take action.
Health Care Premiums Remain Flat for Most STRS Retirees
During its August meeting, the STRS Board approved 2025 premiums for its health care plan offerings. More than 90% of current enrollees will have no premium increase. The monthly premium for career employees is $141 for those in Medicare and $319 for those under 65 years old.
In other notes from the August meeting, STRS posted a 10.5% investment return for FY 2024. The Board’s investment consultant noted this continues strong returns for STRS as its return of 8.8% over the past five years ranked in the top 8% of public pension funds in the United States.
Additionally, the Board elected Michael Harkness to fill a vacancy for active employees on the Board. The vacancy was a result of the retirement of Steven Foreman. Mr. Harkness is an intervention specialist from Akron and serves as Vice President of the Akron Education Association.
Click here to download a copy of this September 2024 Report to the OEA Board of Directors. Previous Retirement Systems Updates can be viewed under the Affiliate Resources tab on the OEA website.
OEA thanks Ohio Congress members from both parties for their work to move bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act forward
OEA thanks Reps. Greg Landsman (OH-1), Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Shontell Brown (OH-11), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Dave Joyce (OH-14), and Mike Carey (OH-15) for signing the discharge petition and for being among the eleven members of Ohio’s delegation in the US House who are co-sponsors of the bill.
“For too long, Ohio’s public servants have been punished for their service by the Federal Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions (GPO/WEP), which prevent educators and others from receiving the full Social Security income they’ve earned. GPO/WEP is a barrier for potentially great educators who may choose not to enter this profession because they would lose much of the Social Security benefits they’ve earned in previous private sector work,” OEA President Scott DiMauro said. “These punitive, unfair federal laws have got to go, and the US House must take up the legislation that would achieve these necessary changes as soon as possible.”
Ohio is one of about a dozen states where GPO/WEP affects public servants like educators. Nearly 250,000 Ohioans will be able to receive the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned over a lifetime of work when the Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the outdated GPO and WEP provisions of the Social Security Act, becomes law.
“If you pay into Social Security, you should receive full benefits. Anything less is wrong. Ohio’s public school educators are simply asking for what they’ve earned so they can retire with dignity after dedicating their lives and careers to serving Ohio’s students,” DiMauro said.
The Social Security Fairness Act currently has 326 cosponsors in the US House and 62 in the US Senate, where Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown has championed it. OEA is calling on House and Senate members to move the bill forward quickly for a vote.
OEA Encouraged by Improved Student Outcomes for 2023-2024, but Notes More Work is Needed to Make State Report Cards a Useful Tool for Parents
“The dedication of Ohio’s educators to support our state’s students is evident in the progress shown during the past year,” OEA President Scott DiMauro said. “The growth in math and reading scores among English Learners and Economically Disadvantaged students—two groups that were hardest hit by learning disruptions during the pandemic—and improved reading scores for elementary students are a testament to the hard work of Ohio educators.”
DiMauro also noted the improvement in student attendance, with chronic absenteeism rates declining from 26.8% to 25.6%, saying, “Students need to be present to learn, and the positive trend in attendance is directly related to the increases we are seeing in academic outcomes, including overall graduation rates. It is crucial that Ohio continues to properly fund wraparound services and promote academic programs that address the needs of the whole child.”
At the same time, the OEA says significant work is needed to make the state report cards a useful tool for parents, including changes to improve accountability standards for Ohio’s charter schools and the private schools that take taxpayer-funded vouchers.
“Parents cannot make apples-to-apples comparisons between their local public schools and the private schools taking public taxpayer-funded vouchers because private schools are still not held to the same accountability and transparency standards as public schools in our state,” DiMauro said.
“Public tax dollars belong in the public schools that serve nearly 90 percent of the students in our state. If the state is going to continue to take critical resources from our public schools to fund private school tuition for the mostly wealthy families who have overwhelmingly taken the near universal vouchers since that became available to them, we must make sure Ohio’s taxpayers are getting a good return on their investment for what they’re spending on private schools,” DiMauro said. “With our state’s current report card system, it is impossible to say, and that is by design.”
The General Assembly has failed to require the accountability and transparency standards for private schools that would enable Ohioans to make any true comparisons. While the State Report Cards released this week for public schools continue to rely heavily on data from high-stakes standardized tests public school students are required to take every year, private schools continue to be able to pick and choose assessments for their students, often not even on the same subjects for which their public school peers are tested. Private schools should be included in the State Report Cards, but the data about private school performance—limited as it may be—is released separately, much later in the year.
“Ohio is constitutionally required to maintain a ‘thorough and efficient system of common schools’ but Ohio lawmakers have intentionally created two very different systems of evaluating and sharing
information about the quality of our state’s private and public schools,” DiMauro said. “Ohio parents, students, and taxpayers deserve better.”
NEA College Benefit Program
NEA Member Benefits is excited to offer members and their families access to the NEA College Benefits Program in partnership with Edvance. This member benefit gives you and your family access to a growing number of regionally accredited1 schools and programs to meet your schedule, career goals, AND budgets.
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Setting up an account is not necessary to get basic information about the program. When the site opens, DO NOT CLICK ON “LEARN MORE”. Instead, scroll down through the page to see the available colleges and answers to many frequently asked questions.
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Eligible NEA members include active members in good standing and their family. Family includes a member’s spouse or domestic partner, children or dependents, and grandchildren.
OEA congratulates the 2025 OTOY
“Ms. Pinckney is an outstanding educator who is making a tremendous difference in the lives of her students and in her community every day,” OEA President Scott DiMauro said. “The entire Twinsburg City Schools community is lucky to have Ms. Pickney serving the students of that district with such passion, dedication, and professionalism. She is extremely deserving of this Ohio Teacher of the Year honor.”
Pinckney has been recognized for her work to create a senior-level African American Literature course at Twinsburg High School, as well as for the community service opportunities she facilitates for her students, to increase civic engagement and promote social responsibility.
“Every student – of every race, background, gender, ethnicity, and ability – deserves a great public education where they can see themselves respected and reflected in their curriculum, and where they can receive the tools they need to become strong critical thinkers, engaged citizens, and great future leaders,” DiMauro said. “Ms. Pinckney’s work at Twinsburg High School exemplifies that mission.”
Daneé Pinckney was previously honored as 2023 Twinsburg City Schools Teacher of the Year and a 2023 Fund for Teachers Fellow. She was selected as 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year from among eleven 2025 State Board District Teachers of the Year, all of whom are Ohio Education Association members.
2024 OEA Bargaining Boot Camp
OEA’s Bargaining Boot Camp is an intensive, team-based training offers the opportunity to learn about, and incorporate, essential organizing and bargaining concepts into your local association’s bargaining preparation. Bargaining teams will walk away from this weekend with dozens of tools they can immediately use to prepare for a successful contract campaign including local-specific financial and health insurance information and a core contract language assessment. This year’s training will include both full team training and separate tracks for new participants and those that have previously attended a boot camp.
Check-in for each boot camp will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and the program will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. Participants should plan to attend the entire day on Saturday as the program will not end until approximately 8:00 p.m. The boot camp will reconvene at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday and will conclude by 2:00 p.m. OEA will cover the cost of all on-site meals, materials, and single occupancy lodging on Saturday night for each participant.
To ensure maximum participation each boot camp will be limited to a total of 75 participants, including each local’s OEA Labor Relations Consultant (LRC). Acceptance into a boot camp will be based on two factors:
- Willingness and availability of a local’s entire bargaining team to participate in the boot camp; and,
- Expiration of the local’s collective bargaining agreement during the 2024-2025 school year.
Boot camps will be held in four geographic areas of the state on the following dates. A local can apply to attend any of the offerings.
**ALL BOOTCAMPS ARE FULL BOOKED** Watch this webpage for 2025 Bargaining Boot Camps applications beginning Summer 2025.
| DATE | LOCATION | DEADLINE |
| October 26-27 |
Marriott Cincinnati Northeast (Southwest) |
September 20 |
| November 2-3 |
Four Points Cleveland-Eastlake (Northeast) |
September 27 |
| November 9-10 |
Hilton Polaris (Central) |
October 4 |
| November 23-24 | Hilton Garden Inn Perrysburg (Northwest) | October 18 |
Registration will be completed by the “team leader” registering their local’s entire team. To complete the registration, the team leader will need confirmation from each participant that they are willing to attend and provide the following information:
- Member’s Name
- Home Email Address
- Contact Phone number
- Any known food allergies or dietary restrictions
- Whether each participant has participated in a previous boot camp
Click Here to download an information sheet to use with team members.
An email regarding your application status will be sent to the team leader approximately three weeks prior to the scheduled Boot Camp.
Questions? Contact Eric Watson-Urban, Collective Bargaining, and Research Consultant at urbane@ohea.org or Kelli Shealy, Research Technician at shealyk@ohea.org.
This program is offered by the OEA Education Policy Research & Member Advocacy department.