2026 Legislative Session
The new legislative session is beginning in Frankfort in January 2026 and it's a budget year. We will continue the same legislative priorities for 2026 - they are listed at the bottom of this article. JCRTA representatives will accompany the KRTA delegation to Frankfort to meet our legislators frequently. It is important that we make sure all legislators, including the new ones, know what our retired teachers priorities are and why it is beneficial to the state for our priorities to be met. This year is a budget year making it especially important that our voice is heard.
Retired teachers can help by contacting your state representative and offering your support for our priorities as a constituent. KRTA has valuable resources on its website at krta.org. You can find representatives email and contact information. Also, sign up for text alerts (see below) so you'll be quickly notified if and when any type of acttion by our members is requested. KRTA also frequently posts updates of any activity going on that affects our membership.
Working together can make a difference for the retired teachers of Kentucky!
Beth Dowdell, JCRTA Legislative Chair
Stay Informed with the steps listed below:
First, check our JCRTA website frequently for current updates. We will update our website when information becomes available.
Second, connect with the KRTA and the JCRTA websites and go to the Legislative tab. We have provided a link to that from the JCRTA site for your convenience.
Third, sign up for the texting service to receive text alerts on your smartphone. More information on this is included below.
A. If you receive text alerts now from KRTA you will continue to receive them in 2023-24.
B. If you would would like to receive text alerts from KRTA just follow these four easy steps to sign up:
1. Open your texting application.
2. In the “To” field, enter 1-833-526-4752
3. In the “Message” field enter KYPENSION
4. Hit Send
That’s it! You’ll receive a confirmation text, and then you are ready to receive our messages. Please note that message and data rates on your mobile phone plan may apply. If you would like to opt out of receiving our texts, just send a text to 1-833-526-4752 with the message STOP.
Fourth, know who your representative is and how to contact them. That information can be found on the KRTA and the JCRTA legislative webpage.
Fifth, understand and promote our legislative priorities for 2024. That information is also found below. Having this information at your disposal will help you to be ready to contact your representative to voice your concerns should immediate action be needed, which is sometimes the case with the state legislature.
KRTA's 2026 Legislative Priorities
1. Fully fund the Teachers’ Retirement System in accordance with the state’s pension-contribution statute. (KRS 161.500)
2. Maintain the defined benefit system currently in place for Kentucky’s retired, current and future teachers.
3. Fully fund the statutorily required obligation to the TRS Medical Insurance Fund as required by HB540, the 2010 Shared Responsibility Law (KRS 161.550 and 161.420)
4. Maintain the current TRS board structure
5. Oppose any legislation that would result in higher prescription costs for Kentucky’s retired teachers.
2026 - A new legislative session starts in January 2026 - Please stay alert to possible changes to YOUR pension plan. Click on the button below for KRTA's Legislative Page and the latest information.