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FAKE NEWS Kentucky's public pensions are in trouble because the number of retirees will soon exceed the  

number of active workers paying into the system.

THE FACTS The majority of benefit payouts for retired teachers is generated from investment income.   Taxpayers only pay for approximately 1/4 of benefit payouts. If TRS continues to be funded  properly, the pension system will be actuarially sound.

FAKE NEWS Kentucky has one huge public pension system that is near collapse.

THE FACTS Kentucky has three different retirement systems - TRS, Kentucky Employee Retirement System   (KERS) and Kentucky Judicial Form Retirement System (KJFRS). One subgroup under KERS is  in precarious financial condition. In contrast, TRS is nationally recognized for its investment  performance, risk management, and administrative management. 

FAKE NEWS TRS is one of Kentucky's weaker retirement funds.

THE FACTS TRS has generated a 30-year compounded average investment return of 8.39% and typically   ranks nationally in the top 5% in performance. 

FAKE NEWS The state should exercise control over public pensions systems. 

THE FACTS The fiduciary responsibility of pension board members should remain exclusively with TRS   members and not be subject to politics. The independently elected members of the   TRS board have proven to been effective and efficient in governing TRS. 

FAKE NEWS The legislature has always paid its share of the pension obligations.

THE FACTS The General Assembly funded the percentage of payroll calculation in statutes, but failed to   make additional contributions needed during the last decade. 

FAKE NEWS Gov. Bevin and the Legislature have "voluntarily" made the commitment to fully fund the states'   pension system over the last two budget cycles.

THE FACTS KRTA appreciates full funding of our pension system during the last two budgets; however, had   the state failed to fully fund the pension debt, the state would have received a significantly  lower credit rating. The legislature skirted its obligations to the Medical Trust Fund for 2020.

FAKE NEWS If there are no attempts to reform our pension system, entities such as health departments and   universities will face insurmountable pension obligations leading to increased costs and possible  closures. 

THE FACTS Quasi-governmental entities are within a completely different pension system than TRS. These   entities are governed by politically appointed boards that have been plagued with kickbacks and  scandals. 

FAKE NEWS With a Cash-Hybrid retirement plan, teachers will be able to take their retirement savings to   another profession should they decide to leave.

THE FACTS Although under the Cash-Hybrid plan teachers would be able to take their retirement savings  to another profession, teachers under the current Defined-Benefits retirement plan with an  average salary of $35,000 per year will make $5,800 more in retirement savings than if they had  a Cash-Hybrid plan. 

Compiled from KRTA Legislative Priorities and Messaging 2019-20

The Kentucky General Assembly includes a House and Senate.  Each Representative and Senator was elected by local constituents.  It is a civic duty and responsibility to understand the legislative process, to be in touch with your Representative and Senator and, most importantly, to vote.  

The General Assembly has an excellent website:   https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx

The very first button on the top left side says, "Legislators."  Click on this button and you'll see an option to find your legislator.  Or you can click this link: 

Find my Kentucky Legislator

 https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/findyourlegislator/findyourlegislator.html