A rotor blade retention system for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor blade connection component defining a slot, with the rotor blade connection component including a first set of electric leads. Furthermore, the rotor blade retention system includes a rotor blade having a root section received within the slot, with the rotor blade further including a second set of electric leads. In this respect, the first and second sets of electric leads are electrically coupled together to permit electric current to be supplied to the rotor blade.