Greetings KRTA Family:
The 2025 Legislative Session is final over and we can rejoice in the fact that there was no new legislation that negatively impacts Kentucky’s Retired Teachers. While HB 694 is not something we are happy about, there is time in the interim to discuss this language and hope that our legislators will find a way to give back to our teachers and our districts who have been giving that last 15 years. Newsletters will slow down significantly with the session ending, but there is some important information to share in this edition. The following will be discussed:
WEP/GPO-we are still hearing great news from our members in reference to their social security deposits increasing or receiving back pay. The only new information we have is in terms of proving your identity. You will only need to do this if you are starting a new application for benefits or changing your deposit information. You are encouraged to go to My Social Security Account to make these change. It is my understanding that you WILL NOT be able to discuss this over the phone. You may contact your local office to verify.
Convention– Last Call for the KRTA Convention registration. Registration is in our March edition of the KRTA newspaper. If you have not received this edition, go to our website and review information as needed. We hope to see you there.
Collette Travel- We have some new trips planned for 2026. Check out our website for the latest information: http://www.krta.org/collettetravel/
TRS Electronic voting for the 2025 TRS Board of Trustees election is available on the Pathway member account access website https://link.edgepilot.com/s/7e419cf2/1FP3pON2Hk6lhr7OyGxS9g?u=https://mss.trs.ky.gov/ from April 1-20. Voting is completed easily in a couple minutes. If you’ve forgotten your login information or need assistance registering, call the TRS Information Center at 800-618-1687. Those who don’t vote electronically get paper ballots in May. Please vote, as our Legislators monitor this, and it is encouraging to have strong voter turnouts for something so important to us all!
KRTA Membership Survey– Please help us collect some data in terms of growing our membership. There are only 4 questions. Thank you!! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0PoNNxE03JkZwlPFeG3JkVS1BIasXw7-su9zVeOvhcQeUcg/viewform?usp=header
DID NOT PASS
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- Sent to State Government Committee 2/26/25
DID NOT PASS; However, the entire bill was inserted as an amendment to SB 9.
This bill creates a new section relating to the Teachers Retirement System. It sets default language for when the Health Insurance Fund is 100% funded. Continues employee contributions to the Health Insurance fund and redirects employer contributions to the unfunded pension liability.
Status- 3rd reading and passed the House 77-18 on 2/26/25; passed the Senate on 3/12/25. Sent back to the House rules committee. Delivered to the Governor 3/13/25. Vetoed by the Governor. Veto overridden on 3/27/25
DELIVERED TO SECRETARY OF STATE
Status-3rd reading and passed the house 97-0. Received in Senate Committee of Committees 2/26/25; 2nd reading in the Senate 3/6/25. Posted for passage for concurrence in the Senate 3/12/25
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
DID NOT PASS
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
DID NOT PASS
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
DID NOT PASS
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Below is a list of other education bills that have been filed: