NYC Teachers, Educators, Retirees: ABC UFT Candidate Running For TRS Trustee To Protect Retirement Assets

David Kazansky Runs for TRS Trustee to Protect $130 Billion in Retirement Assets for 230,000 Public Educators

NYC Educators Seek a Real Choice to Grow and Protect Their Pensions

David Kazansky Runs for TRS Trustee to Protect $130 Billion in Retirement Assets for 230,000 Public Educators

With growing instability in government and turbulence in financial markets, New York City educators are becoming increasingly concerned about the security of the pensions they rely on for retirement.

Veteran unionist, educator, and pension expert David Kazansky announced his candidacy for Teacher-Member of the Teachers’ Retirement Board (TRS) to restore independent oversight and put educators back in charge of their retirement. David was the UFT’s nominee for three consecutive terms, which he served with integrity and dedication to fiduciary duty.

“Michael Mulgrew has been increasingly exercising outsized control over our union and the decisions affecting TRS members’ retirement,” said Kazansky. “Trustees have a duty to exercise independent judgment on behalf of members and make investment and policy decisions based on long-term retirement security, not deference, convenience, or fear of termination.”

Not a Rubber Stamp. A Proven Pension Watchdog.

Kazansky served nine years (2015–2024) as an elected Teacher-Member Trustee, earning a reputation as one of the board’s most careful and independent fiduciaries. He challenged risky assumptions, scrutinized fees, and pressed for responsible long-term investment while others deferred to union leadership. That independence ultimately came at a cost: Michael Mulgrew removed Kazansky from his union position after refusing to act as a rubber stamp and insisting on exercising independent judgment in the best interest of members.

During his tenure, Kazansky played a key role in asset allocation and investment oversight, co-chaired the committee selecting the City actuary, and helped shape TRS investment and governance policy. He also served on the executive board of the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) and previously chaired the AFT Center for Workers’ Capital, working nationally to strengthen fiduciary standards and protect public pensions.

A Classroom Educator and a Leader in Pension

David Kazansky is currently a classroom teacher in New York City public schools. He understands firsthand the pressures educators face—and why a secure, responsibly managed pension is essential. His perspective is shaped by both daily classroom experience and years of direct responsibility for pension oversight, giving him a rare ability to connect policy decisions to their real-world impact on educators’ lives.

Earlier in his career, Kazansky served as a UFT pension consultant and continues to provide pension, TDA, and financial-wellness education to TRS members, helping educators navigate a system leadership too often keeps opaque. He served as Director of the UFT Health & Safety Department, spearheaded the UFT BRAVE Campaign, and created the UFT’s Dignity for All Students (DASA) training program.

Ben Morgenroth Brings Financial Expertise Without Insider Ties

Running as Alternate Teacher-Member Trustee is Ben Morgenroth, an adjunct lecturer in mathematics at Hunter College and veteran NYC public school teacher with over a decade of classroom experience. Morgenroth holds a BA from Brown University in Applied Math-Economics and MA from Hunter College in Applied Mathematics.

Before entering education, Morgenroth worked as a hedge fund quantitative analyst, evaluating investment risk, performance, and complex financial strategies. His background adds serious financial expertise to the campaign’s commitment to independent oversight, transparency, and disciplined risk management on behalf of TRS members.

Who Can Vote

All TRS Pension members in active service are eligible to vote, including UFT, CSA, and PSC-CUNY members, giving over one hundred thousand educators a direct voice in this critical election.

What’s at Stake

Kazansky is running to:

• Restore responsible pension governance

• Expose fees, risk, and opaque private-market investments

• Fight for Tier 6 reform, stronger COLA protections, and continued TDA improvements

• Restore accountability to members

A Real Choice for Educators

This election is about ensuring that the Teachers’ Retirement Board benefits from independent judgment, careful oversight, and a clear focus on members’ long-term interests.

David Kazansky and Ben Morgenroth are running to bring experience, transparency, and disciplined fiduciary leadership to the Teachers’ Retirement System.

• To learn more about the campaign and for updates go to: WeTrustDavid.org

Banner Image: David Kazansky. Image Credit – ABC UFT

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