Greetings KRTA Family:
The 2025 Legislative Session has completed another week of the 2025 legislative session. We have completed day 16 and are halfway through the session. The bill filing deadline has passed and we had many more bills filed by both the House and Senate. There have been a few more bills filed that KRTA is keeping an eye on, but nothing at this point brings concern.
There are no new updates on WEP/GPO, but we are hearing more and more good news of retired teachers receiving their benefits. If you have any doubts or questions, we continue to urge you to call and make an appointment. The worst thing you can do is nothing. There is a YouTube video that has been released by another state that has some good information. You may be interested in watching. The link is below.
Eastern KY Floods-We are devastated and yet another catastrophic flood in eastern Kentucky. Our hearts go out to those yet affected once again. We are working in our office to help those impacted, but if you would like to help donate supplies, I have listed some needs and drop off locations at the end of this newsletter.
Last reminder of the 2025 Public Schools Week. February 25th at 10:00 AM in the Capital Rotunda.
Bill updates are listed below. Have a great week!
This is a housekeeping bill to clean up statutes currently written. It adds WeLeadCS to the system and cleans up other language currently in use. Representative Thomas filed this for TRS and does no harm to retired teachers.
Status- Introduced in House to Committee on Committees 2/18/25
KRTA IS MONITORING THIS BILL
This bill creates a new section relating to the Teachers Retirement System. It discusses using the current money employees and employers are contributing to the Health Insurance Fund and directs it to go towards the Teacher Pension Fund.
Status- introduced in House to Committee on Committees 2/19/25
KRTA IS MONITORING THIS BILL
Status-Introduced
KRTA SUPPORTS THIS BILL
This bill appears to be an identical bill to SB 12 in the Senate. This is an act to establish cost-sharing requirements for prescription drugs; requires rebates to be passed through; establish confidentiality requirements for the rebate information; create a new section to provide the actual amount of rebates received is a trade secret; provide that compliance with prescription drug cost-sharing and rebate requirements shall not be in violation of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
Status- to Banking and Insurance (H) 2/12/25
KRTA IS MONITORING THIS BILL
An act relating to taxation of retirement distributions. This bill would increase the retirement distribution exclusion from $31,110 to $41,110 for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
Status- introduced to Appropriations & Revenue 2/4/25
KRTA FULLY SUPPORTS THIS BILL AND WILL BE WATCHING IT CLOSELY.
An act relating to cost-sharing requirements for prescription drugs; require rebates to be passed through; establish confidentiality requirements for the rebate information; create a new section of KRS to provide the actual amount of rebates received.
Status- sent to Banking & Insurances 1/9/25
WE ARE CONTINUEING TO MONITOR THIS BILL
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR KRTA LEGISLATIVE RESOURCE PAGE
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WEP/GPO–
Link to a youtube video to discuss Social Security and Public Pensions (Updated for 2025!)
The Social Security Administration released new information on 2/3/25. See below for details:
What should people do now that the Social Security Fairness Act is law?
The Act applies to benefits you get on your own record (retirement or disability benefits) and to spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits on another person’s record. What action you need to take depends on your situation and on what type of benefits you qualify for.
If you never applied for retirement, spouse’s, or surviving spouse’s benefits because of WEP or GPO:
You may need to file an application. The date of your application might affect when your benefits begin and your benefit amount. However, each case is different, and all other Social Security laws and policies, such as benefit reductions for claiming benefits before the full retirement age, the retirement earnings test, and others, still apply.
The most convenient way to apply for retirement or spouses’ benefits is online at www.ssa.gov/apply. Please note that the online application continues to collect pension information until we are able to update it; however, we will not offset the benefit.
The survivor benefit application is not available online.
We will take an application by telephone for people who did not previously apply for retirement benefits because of WEP or spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits because of GPO. If you meet these conditions, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. When the system asks, “How can I help you today?”, say “Fairness Act.” Then, you’ll be asked a few questions. Your answers will help us connect you to a WEP-GPO trained representative to take your claim.
If you are not sure whether you ever applied for retirement, spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits:
You may need to file an application. The date of your application might affect when your benefits begin.
If you are entitled to retired or disabled workers’ benefits, and your benefits are currently being reduced by WEP; OR if you are entitled to spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits, and your benefits are currently being reduced or eliminated by GPO
Consider reviewing the mailing address and/or direct deposit information that SSA has on file for you. This will allow SSA to adjust your benefits as quickly as possible. Generally, no other actions are needed at this time.
The easiest way for most beneficiaries to update their address or direct deposit information with SSA, if needed, is online with a personal my Social Security account. There is no need to call or visit SSA. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to sign in or create an account.
What if a person pays their Medicare premium directly to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services due to the Windfall Elimination Provision or Government Pension Offset reduction?
Why did I receive a request from SSA regarding my pension amount?
WEP and GPO still apply to months prior to January 2024. In some instances, we may need to request the amount received for your pension from work not covered by Social Security to verify we are paying you correctly for these months.
2025 National Public Schools Week Proclamation
The Governor and Lt. Governor will be signing a 2025 National Public Schools Week Proclamation on February 25th at 10:00 AM in the Capitol Rotunda. We would love to fill the room for this event if you are able and interested in attending.
Below is a list of other education bills that have been filed:
Eastern Kentucky Flood relief:
Gather and donate supplies, such as:
Drop off Locations