In preparation for the STRS election in April, OEA-R understands there is much concern about our pension system and its future.  In order to help STRS recipients make an informed decision based on facts, OEA-R will be holding an informational meeting for its members.

Join Us on Tuesday, February15th at 4:30pm to 5:30pm for an STRS informational meeting for OEA-R members only.

OEA-R leadership knows that your pension system is a top priority for you, the informational meeting will include a presentation and a time for questions (written in the Chat) and answers.  The OEA endorsed candidates (Rita Walters, Jeff Rhodes, and Rob McFee) have also been invited to speak.

To register for the webinar, Please contact Mary Binegar, OEA-R Chairperson, binegm@aol.com .

Ohio Education Association Retired – www.ohea.org/retired

OEA Endorses Rita Walters for Retired Seat on STRS Board – December 2, 2021

During the August meeting of the STRS Board, Rita Walters was elected by a majority of the Board to fill a vacancy as a retired member.  Walters recently completed a four-year term on the Board and had finished third in the election for two retiree seats.  Robert Stein, who had finished second in the election, resigned his seat before beginning his new term.  An election will be held among STRS benefit recipients to elect a representative for the remaining three years of the term.  OEA has endorsed Rita Walters for this election.

Download and circulate a nomination petition for Rita Walters:
2022 Rita Walters STRS-R

Video message from Rita Walters: https://youtu.be/kE_Gxic2gnw

Rita Walters retired with 35 years of experience as a language arts teacher from the Switzerland of Ohio School District and a member of OEA-R.  She was elected by the STRS Board to a one-year term, September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022.  As an active teacher she also served as president of her local association and on the OEA Board of Directors for 12 years.  Walters was originally elected to the STRS Board in 2017.

When it comes to the oversight of retirement funds for Ohio’s teachers experience matters.  The OEA Board of Directors has endorsed the candidacy of Rita Walters for the vacant seat.  She is committed to acting in the best interest of all STRS members and ensuring that STRS is strong and stable for the long haul.

During her time on the STRS Board, the solvency of the STRS retiree health care program has vastly improved.  Once, projected to run out of money in a few years, the health care plan is now over 100% funded.  Additionally, STRS continues to be recognized as a premier public retirement system and over 90% of retirees have favorable views of STRS.

In early April, ballots will be sent to all STRS members.  STRS retirees, are eligible to vote in the election for the retiree seat.

Questionable Investment “Partnership” Pitched to STRS Board

During the STRS Board’s November meeting, two current Board members presented a “new business opportunity” for STRS.  Wade Steen (Governor DeWine’s appointee to the STRS Board) and Rudy Fichtenbaum (a retiree representative) advocated for the creation of a public/private partnership with a firm called QED.  Under the proposal the company would facilitate access to STRS assets by a counter party who would execute asset swaps resulting in profits from arbitrage for the counter party.  During a lengthy discussion, it was revealed that QED currently has no assets under management and no track record of performance.  Further, STRS would provide 100% of the assets in the “partnership” and receive 25% of the profits.  Mr. Steen had previously indicated that he had an investment plan that would return $4 billion in revenue while reducing risk to the portfolio.  Based on the discussion, in order to achieve that level of return it would be necessary to devote $65 billion in assets (two-thirds of all STRS assets) to this new enterprise.  A proposed motion to hire outside council to negotiate an agreement with QED was never offered.

Visit the OEA Fall RA Online Exhibitor Marketplace to see our page.

https://www.ohea.org/representative-assembly-vendors/

Not yet on our email list? – update on our Contact Us page.

• Active members can purchase a Pre-Retired OEA-R/NEA-R Life Membership and pay over as many as 17 monthly payments.
• Join today to become a member of OEA-R/NEA-R. There is now a plan where you are able to make recurring electronic monthly payments to OEA for the $450 lifetime dues.
• https://neoea.org/files/2021-21-OEA-R-PreRetired.pdf
• The OEA/NEA Pre-Retired dues obligation is paid via monthly transactions beginning April 2021 and ending August 2022 for a maximum of 17 payments. The number of payment transactions available will be determined by the date OEA processes the enrolment form.  It is possible an individual will have fewer than 17 total transactions depending upon the date of enrollment.
• When you retire you will have available to you all of the member benefits, discounts, and offers that you enjoyed as an active member.
• Members of OEA-R and NEA-R save well over the $450 Life Membership fee when they take advantage of discounts on home insurance, car insurance, or appliance and car discounts through the Association.
• Visit the OEA-R How to Join webpage for more information.
• Download the OEA/NEA Pre-Retired Form.
• Download a two half-page Flyer for your colleagues.

OCT 21, 2021

• On the Ballot: Educational Service Centers

25 m

Links to all OEA Education Matters Podcasts at:

• https://www.ohea.org/media/social-media-feeds-links/