Kentucky teachers’ retirement investments posted the fourth consecutive double-digit gains for the recently concluded fiscal year – 15.04% for the Retirement Annuity Trust and 16.06% for the Health Insurance Trust.

That follows previous years of 12.27%, 10.61% and 12.34% for the annuity trust and 12.73%, 11.94% and 12.58% for the health trust.

Returns for the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Kentucky (TRS) annuity trust over the last 30 years are 8% compounded, which is ahead of the 7.1% long-term assumed rate of return. TRS staff presented the pension system’s investment results for the year ended June 30 to the Investment Committee at its Aug. 27 meeting. The net return after fees is 14.75% for the annuity trust and 15.79% for the health trust.

TRS’s annuity investments for all periods were in the top third compared to peers, with a three-year return in the top decile and a 10-year return in the top 4% of pension plans. All rankings are according to Aon Investments USA’s analysis of large domestic pension plans with more than $1 billion in assets.

During the year, TRS benefited from another year of full funding from the state budget along with an additional $40 million from the budget reserve trust fund.

“The approach of the TRS Board of Trustees and investment team is disciplined and focused on the best returns in all types of markets,” TRS Executive Secretary Gary Harbin said. “With another year of great returns and continued full funding — for which we’re very appreciative — the retirement security of Kentucky teachers continues to be ensured.”

(Posted August 2026)