In 1938, the State of Kentucky entered into an inviolable contract to provide pension benefits to its teachers.  According to state law KRS 161.714, these pension benefits are teachers’ earned compensation promised by the State and the State must fund them.  Why did the Legislature promise this to teachers all those years ago?  Because Kentucky’s children deserve the best education, and they knew that pension security ensures that every child is taught by professionals who have put in the time and effort to earn the qualifications needed to give our children the education they deserve.

Since the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) was founded, teachers have always contributed a significant portion of their salary towards their retirement.  No teacher has ever missed a payment or paid late since the pension fund was founded in 1938.  However, between 2008 and 2016,  the State has not made the required annual contributions for teachers’ pensions.  Now, funding levels for Kentucky's public pensions have reached CRISIS levels.    Our Commonwealth MUST fulfill its obligation to fund public pensions and provide a secure future for every public worker.