The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Kentucky (TRS) will receive full funding in the 2026-28 biennial budget approved recently by the General Assembly. This includes about $2.24 billion over the two years to meet the actuarially required contribution for the Retirement Annuity Trust, which is separate from education appropriations of about $1.07 billion that come to TRS in salary contributions.

The two years of the budget will be the 11th and 12th straight years of full or nearly full annuity funding.

The budget also includes $213 million for the state’s statutory contribution for both years for under-65 group health insurance under the 2010 Shared Responsibility law.

“The recently approved state budget is a victory for the retirement security of Kentucky’s current and retired public school teachers,” Executive Secretary Gary Harbin said. “We greatly appreciate the continued full funding in these appropriations. They help ensure that the dignified retirement educators earned during their careers will be provided. They also help keep TRS, now at more than 60% funded, moving on the path toward full funding as projected by the actuary.”

(Posted April 2026)